Global Travel for ALL Students

General Information on GLOBAL MEDICAL OUTREACH at RVU

Global Travel Experiences and Externships

All M3 and M4 RVUCOM students are encouraged to participate in at least one international externship, 2 - 4 weeks in length, during their clinical years.  About 40% of each graduating class has completed some form of international medical training experience during their time  at RVU. 

All M1 and M2 RVUCOM students are encouraged to consider participating in an RVU spring break trip or another medical experience abroad as they are able.

There are three ways COM students can get credit for international global medical experiences and externships:

     1.  Participate in an RVU sponsored trip (see trips currently being planned here) for ALL COM Students.

     2. Join a trip sponsored through an outside organization such as Work the World (see a list of reputable organizations here) for M3 - M4 students.

     3. Create a trip of their own through personal contacts (see important guidelines for this here) for M3 - M4 students.

Because these trips are offered as an elective or a clinical externship through RVU, students can apply for financial aid to supplement the cost. Each trip will be subject to its own dollar amount for approval depending on the location, time in country and cost of air fare.  The Chair of the Tracks & Special Programs/Global Medicine Department will inform the Student Financial Services Department on these details prior to each trip.

Access the "Cost of Attendance Increase Request Form" on the Financial Aid tab on myVista - or use this link: Cost of Attendance Increase Form

Note that a complete travel file will be required for each student traveling for credit. The contents of this travel file will be collected through the student uploads to their secure OneDrive file shared with them after academic approval and registration has been completed.

RVU Travel Policy

RVU TRAVEL POLICY

NOTE: Travel requests are not automatically approved and will be contingent upon the following:

  1. Approvals will be made appropriately based on the information given by the student on the Global Travel Academic Approval Application and as defined on the "Global Travel for ALL STUDENTS" tab on myVista.
  2. No request will be approved until the State Department shifts the travel advisory from a 4 to a 3 or lower.
  3. AND the US Embassy in the country in question has reopened.
  4. Students wishing to travel for credit undertake all financial risk and are subject to cancelation without reimbursement.
  5. Students will be expected to follow all on site requirements for PPE and social distancing, etc. as required by the host institution/organization and country.  
  6. Students may also be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon re-entry or whatever is outlined by the RVU COVID response team (CRT) as the current policy at that time.

Guidelines & Approval Process

THE APPROVAL PROCESS

A student wishing to travel, whether RVU sponsored or self-sponsored, must:

  • complete the Global Travel Academic Approval Application 4 to 6 months prior to the scheduled trip.
  • complete the Global Travel Registration Form immediately upon receiving the Academic Approval.
  • complete the required documentation in your shared OneDrive Travel Folder which will include an upload of the following items:
    • Color Copy of Current Passport - note that all passports must NOT expire within 6 months of the end of the trip
    • Proof of Immunizations - Tetanus, Typhoid, Hep A, Hep B, COVID-19, Annual Flu Shot, any required boosters
    • Proof of Medical Evacuation Insurance.
    • Proof of Smart Traveler Enrollment Program Registration (STEP) - this is through the State Department website.
    • Flight Itinerary
    • Any other required forms as assigned
  • Students are encouraged to seek out travel/trip insurance to help recoup any costs associated to an unforeseen cancelation.
  • Students and faculty must be tested for COVID-19 within 3 days of return to the US.  A negative test will most likely be required to return to campus/work.  A negative test must be provided for your Travel Folder within 3 days of return into the US.
 

SELF-PLANNING A TRIP

Independent Trip Planning

In the event that a student has their own contacts with clinics or local programs in other countries, they can plan their own trip. The Chair of the Tracks & Special Programs/Global Medicine Department will determine if the details of the experience (which are shared in the Global Academic Approval Form) are worthy of providing RVU credit. In many cases, the student may be asked to provide more detailed information or even have a meeting with the Chair so that it can be determined if the experience will be worthwhile, cost-effective, and worthy of credit.

Students who wish to receive more guidance before applying for an independent trip such as this can contact the Global Medicine Department at globalmedicine@rvu.edu.

A Note About Planning...

Students should initially be aware of the following information when signing up for an international experience:

The sponsoring organization’s COVID related protective guidelines for in country travel, work and daily life while overseas. All organizations should provide this information upon your registration.  If not, ask them before registering. They should also provide you with their updated cancellation and refund policies.  IF not, ask them. Be aware that that trip can be cancelled by the sponsoring organization at any time prior to departure and that you may lose some/all of your payments.

Airlines can also cancel or change your reservation for travel, usually results in a credit for future travel. Be sure you understand their policy on cancellations.

Countries and Airlines may require proof of a negative PCR test prior to entry, usually within 72 hours. If this additional COVID testing is required, it will be the student’s/traveler’s total responsibility to pay for and comply with these requirements.

Spring Break Trips - RVU Sponsored

Spring Break Trips - 2024 - Open to all COM students

PLANNING FOR A GLOBAL EXPERIENCE

Planning a Trip

BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR A TRIP

Students should initially be aware of the following information when signing up for an international experience:

The sponsoring organization’s COVID related protective guidelines for in country travel, work and daily life while overseas. All organizations should provide this information upon your registration.  If not, ask them before registering. They should also provide you with their updated cancellation and refund policies.  IF not, ask them. Be aware that any trip can be cancelled by the sponsoring organization at any time prior to departure and that you may lose some/all of your payments.

Airlines can also cancel or change your reservation for travel, usually results in a credit for future travel. Be sure you understand their policy on cancellations.

Countries and Airlines may require proof of a negative PCR test prior to entry, usually within 72 hours. If this additional COVID testing is required, it will be the student’s/traveler’s total responsibility to pay for and comply with these requirements.

 

PREPARING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE - PPT

GMO Opportunities - non-RVU sponsored

Externship Site Options - updated May, 2020

 

International Externship Opportunities

These options listed are in addition to the annual RVU sponsored trips to Africa, Central and South America. All of these are organizations, individuals and/or opportunities, are recommended by RVU students. You can also set up your own international rotation, with appropriate approval.  Approval forms and further information for International Rotation Requests can be found on the RVU website under the Global Medicine tab. If you have additional questions, please contact Dr. Bentley at cbentley@rvu.edu.

This list is not in any particular order, be sure to review the entire list.           

Korah Kids (Darci Burke) https://www.korahkids.com - Project Cure Hospital

Elective Africa https://www.electiveafrica.com/destinations - Clinics in Tanzania and Kenya

Act4Africa http://www.act4africa.org/get-involved/overseas-volunteers/medical-electives/

Care for Zumbo in Mozambique https://www.facebook.com/careforzumbo

Rita Osborn - Dominican Republic/Nepal    https://www.suu.edu/ahec/trips.html

Power of a Nickel – www.powerofanickel.org  Greece, Ukraine, Philippines, Peru, Cuba Uganda

Solid Rock International – Dominican Republic www.solidrockinternational.org/

Global Education Philanthropists & Expedition Global Cammy Bowker -  cammy@globalep.org

www.worktheworld.com; Excellent Hospital and outpatient experiences in many specialties and locations around the world. 

www.handsforhealthfoundation.org - Organized RVUCOM trips to Kenya, Guatemala and Ecuador.  For more info. go to the website or contact Dr. Camille Z. Bentley, President at cbentley@rvu.edu

Dr. Scott Smith (Sponsor of RVU annual trip to Kenya in January)

Specialty: General Medicine

Location: Kimanu, Kenya (about 3 hours south of Nairobi, adjacent to Mt. Kilimanjaro)

Contact: Dr. Scott Smith, safaridocscott@hushmail.com  

 

DOCARE International

Specialty: General Medicine

Locations: Guatemala, Uganda, Nicaragua, Peru, etc.    

www.docareintl.org/upcoming.html 

*Must be a member of DOCARE.

 

Dr. Terry Dunn

Specialty: OB/GYN

Location: Western Kenya, Africa (2 weeks)

Contact: Dr. Terry Dunn, tdunnmd@urogyns.com

 

CGC Health

Specialty: Primary Care & Health Education

Location: Amazon River Villages

Dates: Every June and July

www.CGCHealth.org  

*President of the organization is RVUCOM Student Chase Hamilton, Class of 2018.   All volunteers are welcome, regardless of experience.

 

www.WorktheWorld.org

Specialty: Varies, offers many of them.   Excellent program, work in teaching hospitals and clinics. You can choose you specialty, recommended for 2-4 weeks rotations, or more!    Location: Africa, Asia, and South America

 

http://www.uniteforsight.org/volunteer-abroad/programs    In India, Ghana and Honduras. General Medicine or Ophtholmology

 

Mammoth Medical Missions

Specialty: Clinical Rotations with Surgical Emphasis

Location: Chiapas, Mexico

http://www.mammothmedicalmissions.org/ourmission/

 

www.Globalbrigades.org    Medical outreach in Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua.

Volunteers shadow local and foreign health professionals as they provide pro-bono consultations and medications to patients in rural communities. Volunteers assist with in-take, triage, medication packing, and health education.

 

Floating Doctors, genie Dunai.  Floatingdoctors@gmail.com 

Specialty: Family Medicine

Location:  Bocas del Toro, Panama. 

Note: Lots of biting bugs by the water, be prepared. 

 

Global Health Initiatives - Centura Health

Specialty: Various Specialties

Locations: Nepal, Peru, Rwanda

www.centurahealth.org

Contact: Greg Hodgson, Director, greghodgson@centurahealth.org

 

Dr. Peter Schmid

Specialty: General Ear Nose & Throat Surgery

Location: Haiti

Contact: Dr. Peter Schmid, DrS@IAPRS.com

 

Common Ground International

Specialty: General Medicine/Spanish Immersion

Location: Costa Rica

https://commongroundinternational.com/

Contact: Rory Foster, rfoster@commongroundinternational.com

 

Loma Linda University Global Health Institute - Adventist Health Services

Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery

Location: Haiti

www.lluglobal.com/haitivolunteerapplication

Contact: Amy Lindsey

 

Heavenly Hope Ministries

Specialty: General Medicine

Location: Myungsung Christian Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

www.duttonfoundation.org

Contact: Dr. Chul Soo Kim, msmcmet@gmail.com

*Note: This is a Christian affiliated program.

 

Health Teams International

Specialty: General Medicine

Location: General Clinic Healthcare, Myanmar/Burma

www.healthteamsintl.org

Contact: Richard Charlick, DDS

*Note: This is a Christian affiliated program.

 

Roca Blanca

Specialty: General Medicine

Location: Corban Clinic in Oaxaca, Mexico

http://rocablanca.org/  

Contact: Marcie Smith, 620-793-0698

*Note: This is a Christian affiliated program.

 

www.cachamsi.com  Medical Spanish Immersion and clinical work in Riobamba, Ecuador.    More info on their website.  Director is  Dr. Jorge Duchicela, MD at jduchicela@ydclinic.com

 

Baylor International Pediatrics AIDS Initiative

Specialty: General Medicine

Location: Botswana, Africa

http://www.bipai.org/educational-resources/educational-opportunities/international-rotations.aspx

Contact: Patricia Dorman

 

Centre Dentaire et d’Implantologie

Specialty: Oral-Maxillary –Facial Surgery

Location: Chicoutimi, Canada

Contact: Dr. Marc Desautels, marc@dentistemarcdesautels.com

 

Friedrich Christian Reiss, MD

Specialty: Cardiology

Location: Hamburg, Germany

www.albertinen.de

Contact: Friedrich Christian Reiss, MD, friedrich-christian.reiss@albertinen.de

Albertinen Heart Center, Suente4lstrasse 11A, Hamburg, Germany 22457

Phone: 49-40-5588-2445 

Fax: 49-40-5588-2421

 

Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Location: Santiago, Chile

Specialty: Pediatrics

Contact: Dr. Carlos Castillo Duran, Director of Pediatrics, ccastd@med.uchile.cl

*Spanish speaker may be preferred.

 

AMSA (American Medical Student Association)

Clinical and Research Opportunities

Location: Varies

http://www.amsa.org/events/

 

SOMA (Student Osteopathic Medical Association)

Multiple Opportunities

Location: Varies

http://www.studentdo.com/WCM/Inside_SOMA/Programs/International_Health/WCM/_InsideSoma/_Programs/International_Health.aspx 

*Scholarship opportunities.

 

Global Health Education Consortium

Multiple Opportunities

Location: Varies

www.globalhealtheducation.org 

*Scholarship opportunities.

*Check on language requirements.

 

Child Family Health International

Specialty: Pediatrics

Location: Varies

www.cfhi.org

*Scholarship opportunities.

 

Jeremiah’s Hope - Christian Medical Ministry Cambodia 

Specialty: General Medicine with Surgical Emphasis

Location: Cambodia

www.cmmcjh.com   

303-726-7482

*Note: This is a Christian affiliated program.

 

Husman Plascensia ,

Specialty: OB/GYN

Location: Guadalajara, Mexico (OB/GYN)

Contact: Dr. Alejandra, Alejandrah_13@hotmail.com

*Must Speak and Understand Spanish

*Recommended by: Erin Philpott, RVU Class of 2014

 

Africa Inland Missions

Specialty: General Medicine (Rural hospital with outreach clinics)

Location: Kenya, Africa

http://aimint.org/usa/   

Contact: Stfacilitator.us@aimint.net  

Note: This is a Christian oriented program, which includes bible study and other related religious programs.

 

Himalayan Health Exchange

Specialty: General Medicine

Location: India

Contact: info@himalayanhealth.com

 

Rasin Foundation

Specialty: General Medicine with lots of Dermatology

Location: Haiti

http://www.rasinfoundation.org/  

Contact: Dr. Arielle Adrien, Tufts University SOM, adrienmd2000@yahoo.com

Please note: This rotation is for 4th year students only, near graduation, as it includes a lot of unsupervised work. We recommend that you review skin lesions prior to departure and also recommend the following readings:

www.who.int/mental_health/emergencies/culture_mental_health_haitiu_eng.pdf

www.cookross.com/docs/haiti/pdf    

*Recommended by: Janie Luong, RVU Class of 2014

 

New Frontiers Health Force

Specialty: Primary Care in multiple small clinics

Location: Narok, Kenya

www.NewFrontiersHF.com

Contact: Dr. Tonya Hawthorne, DO, mamadaktari@verizon.net or mamadaktari1761@gmail.com

*Dr. Hawthorn lives and works there 10 months out of the year and is happy to work with clinical osteopathic students.

 

International Clinical Research Fellowship Opportunities:

ICRF is administered through six U.S. medical schools with established programs in global health research. Each school is responsible for overseeing the selection of applicants and providing the mentored research experience. Each institution will offer three fellowships per year that begin in the summer of each year. The applications are due by November or the previous year. 

Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Global Health Institute                

https://globalhealth.duke.edu/education-and-training/medical/doris-duke

 

Harvard Medical School

http://ghsm.hms.harvard.edu/education/ddficrf/

 

University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

http://accelerate.ucsf.edu/training/pacctr-ddcf#application

 

University of Minnesota Medical School

http://www.med.umn.edu/peds/global/TrainingGrants/DDCF/index.htm

 

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine                

http://globalhealth.unc.edu/programs/teaching-training/global-health-fellowships/doris-             duke-icrf-program/

 

Yale University School of Medicine                

http://medicine.yale.edu/education/osr/student/funding/oneyear/ddcf.aspx

 

Internship Nepal.  Elective placement organization based out of Kathmandu, Nepal.   Offers many opportunities of specific medical elective placement with some of the most prominent hospitals in Kathmandu.  Contact them at www.internshipnepal.com