Geographical Medicine Scholars
Geographical Medicine Scholar Program Co-Director John Schneider in India
In October 2006, the Department of Medicine and the Pritzker School of Medicine launched the Geographical Medicine Scholars Program (GMSP)-a 12 month Global Health competency curriculum for University of Chicago residents and medical students which includes an international medical experience in South India. Under the leadership of co-directors John Schneider, MD and Janis Tupesis, MD, the curriculum teaches skills needed for clinical or research activities in international resource-limited settings.
The GMSP program consists of three components: a monthly symposium, travel clinic, and an international clinical experience, to be held in the summer of 2007. The monthly symposia are held on the first Wednesday of each month and are open to the public. University of Chicago faculty and guest lecturers present topics on Travel Medicine, International Research Ethics, Disaster Relief and Preparedness, High Altitude Medical Care, and Emergency Care in Resource Limited Settings. Scholars gain practical experience at the UC Travel Clinic, where they rotate for one half-day each quarter preparing patients for travel abroad and seeing return patients. Scholars may also participate in rotations within the Emergency Department. Interested medical students should sign up for this experience at the Pritzker School of Medicine's front desk in BSLC 104.
Finally, scholars may apply for a one month international clinical experience in South India led by faculty from the University of Chicago Sections of Infectious Diseases and Emergency Medicine and faculty from our partnering institution in Hyderabad South India, the MediCiti Immunology and Infectious Disease Research Institute. Scholars will be involved in patient care, education and cultural exchange, rotating through the partnering hospital's wards, emergency room and ICU. They will also participate in a rural community medicine program, peri-natal care program, and rotate through a Fever Hospital, Leper Colony, and two Chest Hospitals.
The four week international clinical experience will be held between August 25th and September 30th, 2007. Round trip airfare, in country transportation and one month of accommodations will be provided for funded positions. These positions may be competitive depending upon demand, and unfunded or partially funded positions may become available. Future sites in subsequent years of the program will include Bangladesh, Brazil, Nepal, and Kenya.
The Monthly Symposium and Travel Clinic Competency are open to all interested trainees at the University of Chicago and are recommended for any trainees who plan to participate in non-GMSP international experiences. The GMSP Symposia and UC Travel Clinic are mandatory for those scholars interested in applying for the In-Country Practicum.
If you would like to be added to the GMSP listserve, please email John Schneider.
