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Ottawa, Canada, October 23, 2008 – Lucille Teasdale – one of Canada’s first female surgeons – and her Italian husband Piero Corti turned a small dispensary in Gulu, Uganda, into what is known today as one of Africa’s largest non-profit hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor. Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Lucille Teasdale & Piero Corti Foundation are proud to present Lacor: An African Success Story, a photo exhibit by Mauro Fermariello that depicts the life-long devotion and commitment of these two incredible doctors and local practitioners in providing much needed medical services to the citizens of Gulu and its surroundings. The exhibit is hosted by Library and Archives Canada.

Date: Monday, October 27, 2008
Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Where: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street

Dominique Corti, the daughter of Drs. Lucille Teasdale and Piero Corti, will inaugurate the exhibition. Corti, who was born at Lacor Hospital, ensures the legacy of her parents’ work as honorary president of the Lucille Teasdale & Piero Corti Foundation, which supports the work of the hospital. She will be joined by Dr. Martin Ogwang, Institutional Director of Lacor Hospital, photographer Mauro Fermariello, IDRC Vice-President, Programs, Rohinton Medhora, and Doug Rimmer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Library and Archives Canada.

Lacor Hospital is an African success story. It has survived decades of conflict, the onset of the AIDS epidemic, and an outbreak of Ebola. For years, thousands of Night Commuters also sought shelter overnight at Lacor, sleeping within the protective walls of the hospital compound to evade capture by rebels. Today, Lacor Hospital is training the next generation of Uganda’s doctors, nurses, lab technicians, public health educators, and AIDS counsellors.

A partner of the Foundation, IDRC administers a health research program inspired by the couple’s legacy. It is also providing financial support to Lacor Hospital to improve its digital technology to more effectively collect, share, and access health information.

The event is open to the media. Spaces are limited and journalists are encouraged to register by calling Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé at 613-236-6163, ext. 2343.

For more information, visit www.idrc.ca/events.

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About IDRC
Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is one of the world’s leading institutions in the generation and application of new knowledge to meet the challenges of international development. For nearly 40 years, IDRC has worked in close collaboration with researchers from the developing world to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

For information:
Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé
(+1 613) 236-6163, ext. 2343
(+1 613) 816-7620
ibourgeault-tasse@idrc.ca

2008-10-23

News 6 of 30