International Medicine Goals

The University of Rochester School of Medicine has a long history of commitment to international health. In past decades, the Medical School has been actively involved in health care in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Mexico, Israel, and Project Hope. Currently we have programs and contacts in West Africa, Latin America, Israel, Scotland, Poland, Japan, Puerto Rico, and Russia, and facilitate medical student electives in many other countries. The Office of International Medicine works closely with Community Programs and the Cross-Cultural Education Committee to enhance student competence in cross-cultural health care both in Rochester and overseas.

Our program goals are fourfold:

1. To give students hands-on experience providing health care both in Rochester and overseas, and to broaden students' perspective on health and human illness in health care systems with diverse economic levels.
2. To promote the exchange of ideas and practices in health care and clinical research through exposure to health care professionals around the world.
3. To capture the idealism of students and faculty seeking to apply "first-world" knowledge and compassion to problems of human suffering.
4. To incorporate students into multidisciplinary teams to enhance their appreciation of the expertise of other health and social service disciplines.

The Office broadens the focus of medical education and practice at our school through its emphasis on prevention, the multidisciplinary nature of health and human illness, and the responsibility of health professionals for the community at large as well as individual patients.

Send comments or questions to Mary_Christian@urmc.rochester.edu