Program Overview

Introduction to the Global Health Pathway

The Global Health Pathway is a longitudinal program designed for Baylor College of Medicine medical students interested in global health. This pathway consists of courses, clinical training, research opportunities, and electives abroad, aiming to provide medical students with a broader understanding of medicine in a global context and prepare them for a career in global health.

Requirements for Completing the Pathway

To complete the Global Health Pathway, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete the specified preclinical electives
• Participate in a clinical experience or elective abroad
• Engage in research or scholarly activity
• Attend Global Health Conferences
• Submit a final pathway reflection paper

Preclinical Electives

Year 1

• MEOSA: 415A Overview of Global Health (0.75 credits)

Year 2

• MEOSA: 415B Readings in Global Health (2 credits)

Clinical Experience/Elective

Years 3 and 4

• MEMED: 632 Clinical elective or research month abroad in a resource-limited setting (alternatives available) (4 credits)
• MEPED-505A or MEMED-538A: Infectious Disease elective (depending on concentration) (4 credits)
• Diploma in Tropical Medicine Course, January-March (2-4 modules depending on concentration)

Research Elective/Scholarly Activity

Years 3 and 4

• Bi-annual meetings with Faculty Mentor

Year 4

• End of pathway paper (2-4 pages)

Non-credit Enrichment Activities

Years 1, 2, 3, and 4

• Global Health Conferences (total of 4)
• Volunteer work with the Global Health Interest Group (optional)
• Community Outreach Activities (optional)

Additional Optional Activities

• Bi-annual group meetings with the pathway directors
• Participation in the BCM Global Health Interest Group for students
• Engagement with Baylor Global Programs
• Participation in the BCM Global Health Symposium
• Involvement with the Houston Global Health Collaborative (HGHC)
• Leadership in pre-clinical courses as a student coordinator
• Volunteer opportunities with Medical Bridges

Funding Opportunities

• Approved clinical elective (BIPAI, IHS, CFHI, VSLO): The Cain Foundation
• Approved clinical elective (BIPAI, IHS, CFHI, VSLO): Pentecost Student International Travel Fund
• Child Family Health International (various scholarships)
• American Medical Women's Association
• Rotary Foundation (for longer rotations or graduate degrees)

Pathway Requirements at a Glance

Last updated June 17, 2024. The pathway requirements include preclinical electives, clinical experience/elective, research elective/scholarly activity, and non-credit enrichment activities. Students must also submit a final pathway reflection paper and participate in bi-annual meetings with their faculty mentor.

Diploma in Tropical Medicine Coursework

The Diploma in Tropical Medicine (DTM) is conducted in four intensive modules, offered yearly from January to March. Students can complete all four modules in sequence or take them in different years. The Global Health Pathway offers two options related to DTM coursework:

1. Tropical Medicine Concentration: Students complete all four modules of the DTM program. If a student wishes to qualify and sit for the Certificate of Knowledge Exam of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), they must also complete two abroad electives.
2. Alternative Option: Students can complete any two of the four DTM modules, in addition to completing a one-month clinical elective in Infectious Diseases.

Global Health Pathway Reflection

Students must submit a 2-4 page report at the end of their fourth year, reflecting on their experience in global health through medical school, their clinical experiences abroad, and how these experiences have informed their understanding of providing care within the United States, along with their expectations for future work in global health.