Types of Programs

Tufts University School of Medicine, in conjunction with the University of Ghana Medical School, offers a global health experience for MD or MD/MPH, students in the Summer between their 1st and 2nd years of medical school in Ghana's capital city of Accra. This is largely a clinical observation opportunity and takes place for seven-eight weeks from early June through July. Students will have the opportunity to rotate on one to three services (including medicine, surgery, pediatrics, community health, OB/GYN, psychiatry and others). Students will shadow experienced clinicians and will have a broad exposure to both tropical and chronic non-communicable diseases. 

In addition, this program has potential opportunities to participate in research for those students wishing to principally pursue research opportunities for their Summer. We are looking to expand further opportunities for public health experiences for MPH, MD/MPH, and other MPH/dual degree students with UGMS and associated institutions in Ghana. Please contact Dr. Maple Goh for questions regarding how global health projects can align with MPH requirements.

4^th year MD or MD/MPH students may participate in clinical electives in the Spring Semester.

There is no language requirement to participate in this program, but use of translators will be necessary at times while working in the hospital. Housing is available within walking distance of the medical school for a fee.

Upon approval by the TUSM global health selection committee, students will complete a placement application with the University of Ghana Medical School. Contact Faculty Lead, Dr. Libby Bradshaw, for planning purposes and for this application.

Faculty Lead:
Ylisabeth Libby S Bradshaw, DO, MS
Assistant Professor
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM), in conjunction with the Christian Medical College (CMC), offers a global health experience for MD, MPH, MD/MPH or other MPH/ dual degree students in Vellore, India. This program places medical, public health, and dual degree students at CMC, the premier private medical school in India. CMC is located in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, in South India. TUSM has had a longstanding collaborative relationship with CMC in medical and public health research and education. For all student programs, housing and board arrangements are available through CMC for a minimal fee. There is no language requirement to participate in this program. Translators will be available if needed.

MD or MD/MPH Students: Rising 2^nd year medical students who have successfully completed their 1st year may elect to participate in clinical observerships. These students will have the opportunity to observe or shadow physicians in a variety of clinical settings throughout the CMC system, including observation in rural, urban and tribal settings in the Departments of Community Medicine and Family Medicine. Students may also participate in research projects which would be designed and implemented with the support of faculty mentors at CMC and Tufts. Please contact  Dr. Honorine Ward, faculty lead for India, for details.

MPH, MD/MPH and other MPH/Dual Degree Students:  These students may conduct their Applied Practice Experience (APE) or Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) at CMC. CMC has hosted several TUSM students doing their APE or ILE. 

Engaging in practice or research-based work requires a few months of advanced planning. Interested students should start discussing options a few months in advance of the TUSM Global Health Experience to allow for the selection of an appropriate preceptor and project at CMC. Prior to arriving, students will work with their CMC and Tufts mentors to develop a project which may need IRB approval, and which can be completed in the seven to eight-week time frame. Please contact Dr. Maple Goh for questions regarding how global health projects can align with MPH requirements.

Upon approval by the TUSM Global Health selection committee, students going to CMC will complete a CMC placement application. Contact Dr. Honorine Ward, faculty lead for India, for details about this application.

There is no language requirement to participate in any of the programs at CMC. CMC faculty and students speak English and are happy to facilitate communication with patients. Translators will be available when needed.

Faculty Lead:
Honorine Ward, MD
Professor of Medicine,
Tufts University School of Medicine
Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Tufts Medical Center

This is an exchange program and places up to 6 TUSM MD or MD/MPH students into clinical rotations at the Universidad de Panamá  (UP) Facultad de Medicina. Conversely, up to 6 senior students from UP may come to TUSM for rotations. 

The elective is currently structured for Block 10 (four weeks) in the Spring semester, though Block 9 rotations are also possible. Students list their interests and Panamanian coordinators schedule them into available rotations in University of Panama-associated hospitals. The possibilities include all medical specialties, and students planning careers in a medical specialty are encouraged to apply. There is also the possibility of doing two 2-week blocks with different rotations to fill the four weeks. Students work alongside other students, interns, and residents under the supervision of members of the physician staff in a manner analogous to what one might find here in Boston. The rotations are focused on hospital-based medicine, though out-patient experiences can also be arranged. Student presence is typically expected from 7am- 3pm, Monday-Friday; there is no on-call duty or weekend obligation.

Housing is at local hotels, suite hotels, hostels, or apartments. Apartment rental can be arranged via Airbnb or through local listings. The Metro (subway) is safe, cheap, and very efficient for getting around. Many tourist destinations are available for weekends off. Because Los Carnavales de Panamá typically occur during TUSM Block 10, there is the opportunity to participate in local culture.

Spanish language skills are important. Because of the long Canal Zone presence of the United States, and the general cosmopolitan nature of Panama City, many health care professionals do speak some English. But proficiency in Spanish is essential to benefit from this elective.

Faculty lead:
Richard J. Rohrer, MD
Professor of Surgery
Tufts University School of Medicine
Department of Surgical Services, Tufts Medicine