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Global Health Initiative

Global Health Initiative (GHI) was founded in 2000 by Boonshoft School of Medicine first-year students. GHI's mission is to enhance the education of WSU medical students by facilitating their exposure to both the medical issues facing people in other countries and the medical issues of persons in this country who have immigrated from other countries, and in so doing, inspire greater compassion, social justice and empathy within WSU’s future physicians.

Medical student holding baby at free health clinic

Objectives

  1. Facilitate medical students and doctors sharing medical experiences in other countries through activities such as presentations and gatherings.
  2. Facilitate medical students going to other countries for medical electives by providing information including contacts with physicians, contacts with medical mission organizations, and contacts with financial resources.
  3. Provide educational opportunities for WSU medical students through an elective lecture series on global health-related topics.

International Medical Service Trips

In 2007, GHI helped to send more than 40 students to 14 countries. Students can seek medical supplies to take with them on their respective trips to help the people of the country that is being visited. Each trip provides students with a unique view into medicine in various parts of the world today.

 Medical student working with child

Unite for Site Global Health Modules

Online Global Health Course

Module 1: What Are Best Practice "Gold Standard" Principles?
Module 2: International Development and Capacity Building
Module 3: Local Doctors Must Be Integral To The Program
Module 4: Build Effective, Sustainable Programs With Measurable Results
Module 5: How To Eliminate Patient Barriers To Care
Module 6: How To Ensure High Quality Medical Care
Module 7: Partnering With Local Communities
Module 8: Ethical, Quality Volunteering
Module 9: The Significant Harm of Worst Practices
Module 10: Donating Equipment
Module 11: Local Staff Compensation
Module 12: Support Local Doctors To Help Eliminate Brain Drain

Volunteer Ethics and Professionalism Online Course

Module 1: "Unprofessionalism" is a Problem
Module 2: Common Causes of Unprofessional Behavior
Module 3: Preventing Unprofessional Behavior
Module 4: Traits of a Successful International Volunteer
Module 5: Guidelines For Observing and Assisting Doctors

Cultural Competency Online Course

Module 1: Culture and the Volunteer
Module 2: Overview of Cultural Adjustment and Culture Shock
Module 3: Coping With Culture Shock and Emotional Feelings
Module 4: Slower Pace and "Elastic Time"
Module 5: Language Barriers
Module 6: Working With Translators
Module 7: Cultural Differences and Cultural Understanding
Module 8: The Importance of Social Etiquette
Module 9: Cultural Beliefs About Service
Module 10: Cultural Beliefs About Medical Care
Module 11: Trust
Module 12: Reverse Culture Shock
Last updated 10/12/09 (djd). For more information, contact Marketing and Communications