Global Health Training for MD Students
MD students at IU School of Medicine can benefit from a variety of global health experiences. Beginning with the first year of training, medical students take a course that advances their cultural competency and can join a student interest group dedicated to global health. Summer and spring break programs allow for deeper immersion, and a range of electives allow for specialty focus in various aspects of global health.
Global Health Student Interest Group
Medical students interested in global health are encouraged to participate in the Global Health Student Interest Group (SIG), a student-led organization that hosts meetings, lectures and activities for participants. This group hosts an annual Hunger Banquet to create awareness and educate the community about global poverty.
MD Electives
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Health Care in KenyaFourth-year medical students are invited to spend two months in Eldoret, Kenya. Students live alongside Kenyan medical students working in wards (general medicine, pediatrics, reproductive health or surgery) and outpatient clinics, and participate in AMPATH-related and local activities, including the Tumaini Center for Street Children, Rafiki Center for Excellence in Adolescent Health and Sally Test Child Life Program. Students attend lectures and discussions on ethical and global health issues facilitated by permanent IU School of Medicine faculty in Kenya. Upon return, students complete a debriefing session, a journal article or book review, and a reflection/analysis paper. Email Jenny Baenziger for more information.
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Health Care in Developing CountriesFourth-year medical students can travel to various areas across the globe to learn about and participate in health care in a developing country. Participating students complete orientation and debrief sessions, write a journal article or book review, and submit a reflection/analysis paper. Email Jenny Baenziger for more information.
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Domestic Global HealthFourth-year medical students looking for international experience without leaving the United States may choose to participate in local avenues of health care for the Indianapolis global populations. Under the direction of Ruben Hernandez, MD, and the Department of Family Medicine, students spend time at clinics that serve a high volume of Hispanic and Burmese patients as well as the IU Travel Medicine Clinic, IU International Medicine Office, Immigration Welcome Center, the refugee intake clinic through the Marion County Health Department, and the Indiana Latino Health Organization.
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Global Health Elective in GhanaThe global health elective in Ghana is a four-week international health experience designed to immerse 3rd and 4th year students in the Ghanaian culture including language, public health issues and Ghanaian spiritual beliefs intersecting with health and illness. Students receive training by TMS Global (partnering institution) and Ghanaian professionals on language, culture and medical care as it relates to the patient-doctor relationship and medical decision-making. Students think critically about global health challenges and practices while developing basic Twi language skills and working side by side with host country health care providers located at the Ankaase Hospital in Ankaase, Ghana. Clinical work occurs at community, mission-based health care facilities and governmental based public health organizations. Contact Stacey Patrick for more information.
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Virtual Global HealthStudents will have an opportunity to learn global health principles and have an alternative opportunity to connect virtually with global health organizations and international global health partners. For more information contact Jennifer Custer.
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Virtual Ethics of Global Health Volunteerism and Online Spanish InstructionIn this course, 3rd and 4th year students will study the ethics of global health volunteerism through numerous topics from a variety of perspectives and will complete 40 hours of Spanish classes with personalized lessons taught by a native-Spanish speaker through online video conferencing. This course is an online alternative opportunity to the ENLACE Global Health Elective, allowing students the opportunity to seriously engage in an important global health issue and dedicate time to learning/improving Spanish skills when international travel is not a viable option. Open to any level of Spanish speakers– from beginners to advanced. Contact Jennifer Custer for more information.