School of Public Health
Overseas Elective for Medical Students
PREV 4540: Health Care in Developing Countries
This elective is offered to fourth year medical students who have satisfactorily completed all academic requirements for the third year.
Overview
The School of Public Health's overseas elective, Health Care in Developing Countries, was initiated in 1980 by the Dean, Dr. Pascal James Imperato, who has been its course director throughout its history. Beginning in the academic year 2007-2008, Dr. Denise Bruno assumed the role of co-director of the elective with Dr. Imperato. This academic year marks the 30th anniversary of the program. The objectives of this elective are to provide fourth year students with an opportunity to observe and study the structure and functions of a health care delivery system, or some aspects thereof, in a developing country, to be of service to disadvantaged populations in a third world country, and to have a cross-cultural experience.
As of 2009-2010, some 312 students have participated in this elective in some 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. Most have spent six to eight weeks at overseas sites arranged by the course directors. The program at Downstate is one of the largest and most successful in the country. Some of its procedures and practices have been adopted by a number of other medical school programs, and by the International Health Medical Educational Consortium (IHMEC).
Admission to this elective is highly competitive. MD/MPH students are given preference for selection in the Overseas Elective for Medical Students: Health Care in Developing Countries. Annually, some 50 students compete for approximately twenty places. The admission process includes an examination of the academic record to date, a personal interview with a member of the Overseas Elective Screening Committee, and reference checking with faculty familiar with applicants. Students who have a commitment to a career in preventive medicine, public health, or primary care are given preference. Each student admitted is carefully advised by the course directors, who also arrange the overseas placements.
Our program has always had stringent policies and procedures regarding selection of overseas sites and health maintenance. Students are not permitted to travel to countries which the Department of State considers risky. Country-specific information is regularly updated from the Department of State, and in certain instances, the course directors speak directly with the country-specific desk officer at the State Department. In addition, the course directors regularly update local conditions through contact with in-country preceptors, some of whom have collaborated with us for many years.
Financial Assistance for the Overseas Elective
Financial assistance for this elective has been largely provided by the Alumni Fund of the College of Medicine since 1980. Some of these funds have been given through specific bequests to the Fund. In 1983, Mrs. Lona B. Kennéy donated a significant sum to support the elective in memory of her husband, Dr. Michael Kennéy, a renowned pathoparasitologist and Clinical Professor of Pathology at Downstate. In 1998, Dr. Joshua H. Weiner, a graduate of the Class of 1941, read of the overseas elective. Having spent time studying tropical medicine in Puerto Rico in his senior year, he expressed a desire to financially support the program. In early 1999, Dr. Weiner donated a significant sum to the Alumni Fund of the College of Medicine to help defray the travel expenses of students participating in the elective. The LSK Foundation has also provided funds to support the elective.
Medical students may apply for Health Care in Developing Countries in the fall of their third year. An application in .pdf form is available, and guidelines are provided.
MD/MPH students are given preference for selection in the Overseas Elective for Medical Students: Healthcare in Developing Countries.
