Pritzker News
Pritzker School of Medicine Offers International Geographical Medicine Scholars Program (GMSP)
The Sections of Infectious Diseases and Emergency Medicine, through the support of the Department of Medicine and the Pritzker School of Medicine, are delighted to announce the launch of the Geographical Medicine Scholars Program (GMSP). The GMSP is a 12 month Global Health competency curriculum for housestaff (residents and fellows) and medical student trainees including an international medical experience in South India. The curriculum will cover additional skills needed for clinical or research activities in international resource-limited settings. The program includes the following core components:
- Monthly symposium. This will include didactic case based lectures held the first Wednesday of every month from 5-6:30pm. Topics that will be covered by University of Chicago and several guest faculty include the following: Travel Medicine (Vaccines, Prophylaxis and Safety), Topics in Tropical Medicine, International Research Ethics, Disaster Relief and Preparedness, High Altitude Medical Care, Emergency Care in Resource Limited Settings and Bioterrorism. The first symposium will take place Wednesday, October 4 in the BLSC 115.
- Travel Clinic Competency. Each scholar will gain practical experience at the UC Travel Clinic preparing patients for travel abroad as well as seeing return patients. It is expected that trainees who participate in the GMSP in country practicum (see below) will rotate through one half day of clinic each quarter (4 half days/year).
- In Country Practicum. Funded positions will be provided for a one month international clinical experience led by faculty from the University of Chicago Sections of Infectious Diseases and Emergency Medicine and faculty from our partnering institution. Scholars will be involved in patient care, education and cultural exchange in a foreign country. The first four week practicum will be held between August 25th and September 30th, 2007. Start dates will be both August 25th and September 1st to accommodate variations in trainee schedules. The practicum will be in collaboration with our established partnering institution in Hyderabad South India - SHARE/MediCiti. Scholars will rotate through our partnering hospital's wards, emergency room and ICU. They will also participate in the rural community medicine program, peri-natal care program, rotate through a Fever Hospital, Leper Colony, and two Chest Hospitals. Future sites in subsequent years of the program will include, but are not limited to Bangladesh, Brazil, Nepal, and Kenya. 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 additional unfunded, or partially funded positions may also be available. The first round of applications for this portion of the program includes the submission of a CV and a brief one page essay (250 words maximum) on "Professionalism and International Health" - due March 15th 2007.
GMSP scholars are not required to participate in the In Country Practicum to be a part of the program. The Monthly Symposium and Travel Clinic Competency will be open to all interested trainees at the University of Chicago. These portions of the program will also prepare trainees who will be participating in non - GMSP international experiences. For GMSP scholars interested in the "In Country Practicum," the other two components of the program will be mandatory.
To be added to the GMSP list serve (quarterly mailings regarding the GMSP and other International Subjects) or for additional questions about the GMSP please send an email with the subject heading "GMSP" to John Schneider or call (773) 702-2710.
