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 The
International Health Track
(IHT) is a unique feature
of the Saint Joseph Family
Medicine Residency Program.
It is an optional opportunity
for residents interested in
health care for medically
underserved people both
in the United States and internationally.
It gives residents a chance
to serve the underserved while
gaining knowledge in the diagnoses
and treatment of common tropical
diseases and conditions. It
also allows residents the
opportunity to expand their
clinical, diagnostic and management
skills in a setting of limited
resources, to increase skills
in manual and surgical procedures,
and acquire knowledge in the
areas of travel medicine and
public health. We also seek
to foster respect and compassion
for the medically underserved
and those from a different
culture. Flexibility, creativity,
and adaptability are all attributes
we seek to develop.
The International Health Track
is one of the few programs
in global health that is based
at a community hospital where
there are no other residencies
programs.
List of Locations
Since 1990, our residents have
traveled all over the globe
including the following locations:
Elective Clinical Experience
The
International Health Track (IHT) offers opportunities
to do clinical rotations of 1-2 weeks in the first year
in addition to 1-2 months in the 2nd or 3rd year. Residents
may travel to medically underserved areas in North America
or overseas. The costs of the rotation are completely
financed by the program. Extensive resources are available
for selecting a site. Since the International Health
Track was established in 1990, our residents have traveled
to most continents in the world to complete their rotations.
Seminars
in International Health
Regular evening seminars are
held six to eight times per
year. The format allows for
close interaction with speakers
who present on various tropical
medicine, cross cultural communication,
and global health issues.
An attempt is made to expose
the resident to a broad range
of international health issues
during the course of three
years. These seminars are
open to residents and their
significant others.
Noon Conference Series
Upon their return, our residents
give a presentation about
their experiences to other
residents and faculty. International
Health and tropical medicine
topics are discussed at noon
conferences on occasion throughout
the year as well.
International Health Fellowship
 The International Health Fellowship is a one-year experience designed for family medicine physicians who plan to work in a rural, underserved area, in most cases in a developing country, whether on a short-term or long-term basis. It allows physicians to focus on skills of interest, which may include but are not limited to: surgical obstetrics, dental extractions, minor surgical procedures, language training, training in public health, and training in infectious disease. It also allows up to two months of an international medical service trip. At the same time, physicians must maintain their outpatient care skills seeing patients at the Family Medicine Center and in low and high risk obstetrical clinics.
The structure of the curriculum is flexible enough
to cater to individual needs. We welcome both
recent residency graduates and physicians with practice
experience. The fellowship does not prepare one
for any additional board examinations or a Certificate
of Added Qualification. It does provide needed
training and experience for FPs who plan to work in
this setting.
This is a group founded in 2003 by St. Joseph residents
concerned about both global and community health problems.
It is affiliated with our International Health Track,
but includes health professionals and others in the
wider community. Its motto is to “Think Globally,
Act Locally”, and we aim to help each other plan
for international service trips and participate in local
service projects. Our goal is to network with those
in the community who have similar service goals, to
education ourselves and share information and supplies
in order to work together to improve global health.
See our website:
www.sbglobalaction.com.
 Residents
and International Health
is the quarterly newsletter
of the IHT. It contains information
about activities, conferences,
and elective rotation opportunities
related to international health
and travel medicine. The newsletter
is intended for medical students,
residents, and faculties of
primary care residencies.
Its goal is to inform, to
stimulate interest in international
health, and to sustain the
ideals and energy of doctors
interested in global health.
Each resident who participates
in a rotation is asked to
write an article for the newsletter,
describing his or her experiences.
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