Global Health Clinical Elective (GHCE) | University of Washington

Overview

The Global Health Clinical Elective (GHCE) was created by medical students in 2003, in partnership with faculty and staff, to provide international clinical experiences to medical students during their clinical rotation years. Over time, it was further developed through a unique collaboration between the UW Department of Global Health and the clinical departments of Medicine, Family Medicine, OB/GYN, and Pediatrics to provide students the opportunity to earn UW credit in an international clinical setting.

If you are a medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine who is interested in applying for this program, plan on blocking off at least six consecutive weeks in winter/spring of your fourth year schedule.

At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all.

There are many advantages to gaining clinical global health experience through the GHCE:

Accepted students are automatically approved for 12 units of academic credit.
Participants are eligible for financial aid by participating in Independent Learning, a UW Study Abroad program.
The program offers a diverse range of geographical, cultural, and clinical settings.
Training sites are built on institutions with strong linkages to UW faculty, and have been specifically chosen for their appropriateness for medical student education.
Participants undergo comprehensive orientation covering travel health and safety, cross-cultural issues, ethics, and clinical topics.
Students complete a coherent, standardized curriculum.
Students are provided extensive up-to-date electronic reference materials, including current WHO and MSF treatment protocols.
Students receive annually updated, country-specific materials.
Participants are provided logistical support from the UW Department of Global Health.
In case of an emergency, students receive support by the UW Office of Global Affairs.

Enrollment in the Conjoint 625 is only open to students who have been specifically selected to participate in the GHCE. Interested students must submit a written application and undergo an interview. Not all applicants are guaranteed a spot.

Participants must be a UWSOM student in good academic standing and have completed all required clerkships by the end of winter quarter of their 3rd year.

The course is offered as a 6-week block in the winter and spring quarters. In some instances, students may be allowed to repeat the course, (in other words, participate for an additional 6 weeks at the same or a different site).

Applicant Procedures and Deadlines

The GHCE 2024-2025 application will open in Summer 2024
The completed application includes the following:
- Application
- Personal Essay(s)
- CV/resume
- Letter of recommendation
GHCE participants must attend a required (non-negotiable) online, synchronous orientation to be held in November or December.

If you have any questions about GHCE or the application process, please contact the Administrator, via email at dghsom@uw.edu.

Advantages to the GHCE

How to Apply