An international health rotation is available to senior medical residents interested in learning to practice in resource-limited settings. This experience enhances personal growth by developing confidence, adaptability, resourcefulness and insight; assists in cultural competency training; and introduces concepts of health care development. With the current pandemic, we are exploring on-line teaching for our Ugandan colleagues.
Providence was founded on a mission of caring for the poor and vulnerable. This philosophy permeates all that we do, and since a majority of our faculty has participated in international health and other volunteer work, you will find shared values of a commitment to the under-served.
Additionally, Providence Global Partnerships does extensive work in Guatemala. Part of the program involved international exchanges for medical students where we hosted Guatemalan medical students annually for a month on our inpatient ward service. These students brought enthusiasm, appreciation and unique perspectives on our health system that was always refreshing. Going forward, we hope to bring Ugandan medical students for a similar exchange.
“After my own internal medicine training, my husband and I spent
almost two years running a remote hospital in northern Kenya. This time
was invaluable to me. It opened my eyes to the needs in underserved areas,
the resilience of the human spirit, and the complexities of how to deliver
care in a just and ethical manner. For over 20 years, I have coordinated
global health rotations for our residents.”
Dr. Claudia Leonard M.D., FACP | Director of Global Health curriculum
Commonly encountered diseases:
“I learned so much during my time in Uganda. In addition to increasing
my exposure to uncommon tropical diseases, it taught me to practice flexible
medicine, and to embrace and trust my physical examination skills. As
a future pulmonology/critical care fellow, the opportunity to work in
the chest clinic was incredible.”
Maeve MacMurdo M.D.
“The global health rotation in Uganda was one of my favorite experiences.
The medicine residents were amazing to work with and I had the opportunity
to teach medical students as well. I learned to trust my physical exam
skills and appropriately use the limited resources available. Doing a
global health rotation in Uganda rejuvenated my passion about medicine
and I hope to go back again. ”
Madiha Ahmad