Dr. Joia Mukherjee, a specialist in infectious disease medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics, will try to give students an important insight into global health care tonight.

The EIU Reads committee invited Mukherjee, a medical doctor for Partners in Heath, which was co-founded by Dr. Paul Farmer, the main character in the EIU Reads book, “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder.

Kimberlie Moock, director of new student programs, said it was important for the EIU Reads committee to bring a speaker to campus who could speak about the topics in the book.

“As a medical doctor of Partners in Health, she has direct experience with the work of Dr. Farmer,” she said. “It is the link of her work experience that ties her to the book.”

Moock said students who attend the event and have read the book would gain information about the non-profit health care organization, Partners in Health.

Partners in Health is an organization based in Boston that addresses poor countries and provides them with affordable health care options.

Moock said the book, “Mountains Beyond Mountains,” focuses mainly on Dr. Farmer’s work in Haiti, Peru and Russia, and how he attempts to fix healthcare in poor, third-world countries.

“Dr. Mukherjee’s comments will focus on the work of Partners in Health, and the need for improved health care globally,” she said.

Moock said other topics Mukherjee will address are how to get involved in social justice for global health care movement and the works of Partners in Health to fight HIV/AIDS.

“Dr. Mukherjee and PIH’s work for HIV/AIDS is incredibly important,” Moock said. “We have not found a cure for HIV/AIDS and it is vital that we continue to educate individuals about the risks of contracting the virus.”

She said it is important, as a global community, to continue to stop the spread of the disease and provide treatment for those infected.

“Dr. Mukherjee will be able to speak about this with great authority and passion,” she said.

Moock said Mukherjee would also speak about ways in which all individuals can help make a difference in the world.

“It will be on how individuals can take their skills and passions and utilize them to make a difference in the world,” she said.

Moock said it is important for all students and faculty to attend this event.

“Dr. Mukherjee’s visit provides a wonderful opportunity for our community to learn about global health care and how we as individuals can make a difference,” she said.

This event will be held at 7 tonight in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.