Educational Opportunities in Global Health

The educational opportunities in global health at the University of Colorado Denver have a unique, interdisciplinary structure.  Global health issues are approached from various perspectives and disciplines, and may include international affairs, anthropology, business, biology, social work, environmental sciences, economics, public health and health policy, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, history, political science and sociology.

Global Health Tracks

There are currently two Global Health Tracks available at the University of Colorado Denver, and more are currently under study. The current tracks include:

School of Medicine Global Health Track

The Global Health Track is a 4-year, longitudinal program of scholarly study and inquiry for those medical students with a strong interest in global health.  The Global Health Track (GHT) gives students the necessary training and experience to complete their Mentored Scholarly Activity (MSA) requirement with a global health project.  CGH directly supports the GHT Director, and provides administrative support for GHT students and the program as a whole.  CGH members constitute many of the key faculty and mentors in the GHT.   In the 2007-8 academic year, global health was one of the most popular subject areas within the MSA program, enrolling 20% of first year class. Currently this track is only available to School of Medicine students.

Key elements of the track include:

1)     An introductory course on global health issues during Year 1.
2)     Quarterly meetings with a global health mentor Year 1 through 4 to develop and undertake a global health project.
3)     Global Health Track Project Seminars once to twice a month  during Year 1 and 2.
4)     An intensive course on tropical medicine and public health during Year 4 to prepare students for clinical field work and for the final phase of their global health projects.
5)     A two-part global health project including 2 months between Year 1 & 2, and 2 months at the end of Year 4.  Students present their project as the "capstone" of their Mentored Scholarly Activity and Global Health Track experience prior to graduation. Projects in the developing world are encouraged, as are projects in Colorado dealing with global health issues, such as immigrant and refugee health. To see a running list of where students have traveled - click here.

FAQs:

 What kind of topic areas for fall under the Global Health Track?

• Tropical Disease
• HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa and other resource-poor regions
• Environmental health in the developing world
• Community health projects
• Health systems analysis
• Immigrant health issues in Colorado
• Travel medicine
• Cultural aspects of health
• ...and other topics too numerous to enumerate!

 Does the program guarantee funding for project-related travel?

At this point, no, but  the GHT provides guidance and resources to give students the best chance of securing international scholarships.  In 2008, all 19 students traveling abroad with the GHT received some degree of financial support.

 For more information visit the Students for Global Health click on the following link -  Students for Global Health

 How do students enroll?

Candidates accepted to the School of Medicine should apply before matriculation.  Starting Fall 2008, candidates can apply simultaneously with their medical school application.  The application (available on the website for accepted students) consists of a personal statement and a brief survey of interests.

 Contact

Gretchen Heinrichs, M.D., Associate Director
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
Gretchen.Heinrichs@ucdenver.edu

Renee King, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Director
Division of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine
Renee.King@ucdenver.edu

International Health Management and Policy Track

This is a specific track within the Health Administration program of the College of Business that focuses on health management and health policy in both the developed and developing worlds.

Scholarships to Support Students in Global Health

Robinson Durst Scholarship

The Center for Global Health coordinates the scholarship that was founded by Professor Emeritus William Robinson, M.D., PhD and Denver sculptor/ceramicist Peter Durst.  Since 1997, the scholarship has provided 30 health sciences graduate students from the University of Colorado Denver an opportunity to enjoy a culturally diverse clinical or research experience.  Philosophically, the scholarship committee and its founders strongly believe in the long-lasting, positive value of global health endeavors in broadening personal and academic perspectives.

Deadlines for the application are April 1 and November 1.

Rotary Scholarship

Students for global Health initiated the Scholarship in 2005 with financial backing from several Denver metropolitan area Rotary clubs.  All graduate students in the health professions are eligible for the award, provided their proposed projects fits with the cores values of rotary, including fellowship, service, and ethical conduct.  The Center administers the scholarship in close collaboration with the Students for Global Health and Rotary leadership.  For an application, contact Michelle Shiver, Program Manager, Center for Global Health at michelle.shiver@ucdenver.edu