Research, Summer Opportunities

Funding: The Center for Global Health will accept proposals from 1st year SOM students for several programs: The Center for Global Health University Scholar Award, The Pfizer-CGH Scholar Award in Infectious Disease, and the US-Brazil Scholar Award in Infectious Disease. In addition, the Dean’s/Ellison-CGH Scholar Award in Medicine is available to 4th year SOM students conducting international clinical rotations. (see Center for Global Health).

Application: If a letter from the Dean's Office is requested, download and fill out the Biosketch form and bring the completed form to the Office for Student Affairs.

Research Opportunities
This site includes information about UVa's summer research program for UVa medical students and well as national programs.

Summer Clinical Preceptorship
The University of Virginia Department of Family Medicine sponsors a limited number of summer preceptorships to enable students to work with a family physician of their choice for eight weeks. A stipend of $1,200 is given in June. Students must register in the Summer Session for Summer Family Practice (MED 676) for insurance reasons (no academic credit is earned). Reimbursement for summer tuition is done at the successful completion of the 8 weeks by turning in the receipt to the Dept. of Family Medicine. For more information, contact Dr. John Gazewood jgazewood@virginia.edu.

Spanish for Health Care Professionals
Spanish for Health Care Professionals is a four-and-a-half-week intensive summer program at UVa in which students will acquire beginning-level competency in Spanish, with the goal of effective linguistic performance in a health care setting. In learning vocabulary, grammar, and aspects of Hispanic culture, students will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish at the elementary level. In addition, special emphasis will be given to the introduction of health science vocabulary, the development of basic health assessment and patient interviewing skills, and exposure to and an awareness of health care practices and cultural beliefs related to illness in Hispanic communities. This course will meet five days a week and will be divided into three daily sessions: a morning session for grammar instruction, an afternoon session, and an evening cultural session. Attendance at all sessions is obligatory for all students in the program. Tuition is charged.

Spanish in Costa Rica
The Adventure Education Center in Costa Rica is the most unique langauge immersion institute, with three distinctive locations from which to choose, providing students with increased flexibility and greater opportunities. AEC also has a swiftly growing Medical Spanish program, that is ideal for Physicians, nurses or medical students.

American Medical Student Association
American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the largest independent national medical student organization. Many opportunities are available.

Christian Medical & Dental Society (423-844-1000)
International health care experiences in Central/South American, Carribbean, Africa and Asia (to name a few!). For more information, email: gho@christian-doctors.com

Community and Public Health
AMSA seeks to promote awareness and involvement in all areas related to keeping communities healthy. See this site for opportunities.

Externship: MAP International (1-800-225-8550/912-265-6010)
MAP Reader's Digest International Fellowships are for students who are considering a career in international health in the context of medical missions. Fellowship money covers approximately 75% of your plane, lodging and food costs. Plan ahead -- this is for 4th year students only but application must be made in your 3rd year!

International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)
IFMSA-USA is the American representative within the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations. Founded in 1951, IFMSA has 69 member countries and is recognized by the United Nations and World Health Organization as the official forum for medical students around the world that are interested in global health issues.

International Health Medical Education Consortium (IHMEC)
IHMEC is a consortium of faculty and health care educators dedicated to international health education in U.S. and Canadian medical schools and residency programs. Formed in 1991, its mission is to foster international health medical education in four program areas - curriculum, clinical training, career development, and international education policy. On their web site check out Announcements, Resources, and Conferences. An example of trips available, is Medical Spanish offered by the University of Nebraska.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Fellowship (MSKCC)
MSKCC in New York City offers a summer fellowship to encourage interest in the field of oncology. Fellowships are for 8 weeks between June and August. A stipend of approximately $2000 is given. Applicants choose from a list of projects directed by MSKCC physicians. Application materials and instructions are accessible on the web site.

Soros Service Program (1-212-547-6934; mmishra@sorosny.org)
The Soros Service Program for Community Health (SSPCH) is an initiative for medical students sponsored by the program on Medicine as a Profession at the Open Society Institute. The internship provides medical students with the opportunity to actively pursue an interest in community health through an intensive eight-week program. Placement is in Baltimore or New York. Stipends (approximately $2500) and housing allowances are given. Applications must be submitted before the end of January.

Other Opportunities
Flyers and pamplets on other opportunities for medical students are collected as they are received and posted on the bulletin board next to the first year mail boxes in Jordan.