Global Health
Changing Lives Around the World
Our Global Health Programs
For MD Students: Global Health Scholars Program
Students accepted into the Global Health Scholars Program (GHSP) take two immersive month-long trips to one of our partner sites:
- Australia
- Brazil
- Croatia
- Ecuador
- Ghana
- Vietnam
- Zambia
The first trip is primarily an introduction to the community, during which you’ll develop a community health project. During the second trip, occurring in your senior year, you’ll participate in clinical care at the same location.
You’ll receive pre-trip safety sessions, in-country medical education specific to the site, and several sessions by our faculty on global- and community health-related issues. About a quarter of first-year students apply, and 80 percent of those are typically accepted.
Learn more about the Global Health Scholars Program.
See a photo gallery from previous Global Health Scholars trips.
For MD Students: Global Health Electives
As a fourth-year medical student , you’ll have the opportunity to take electives that will give you experience caring for underserved populations, including those in other countries.
Previous electives have included:
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Pediatric cardiology in Guayaquil, Ecuador
This program offers fourth-year students the ability to start a Pediatric Cardiology elective in Hershey and finish with two weeks participating in an open heart surgery mission at Children's Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
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Indian Health Service work in Cherokee, North Carolina
This is an opportunity for fourth-year students to work with a unique, underserved domestic population, engaging with a tribe that has rich history and culture, and working with a interdisciplinary team that uses an embedded model with home-based care and social support services.
For Public Health Students: Global Health Certificate
Master of Public Health (MPH) and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students have several global health experiences available through Penn State College of Medicine.
The Global Health Certificate is for students who are interested in advancing their knowledge and skills in key global health competencies and can be done while pursuing an MPH or DrPH degree.
The certificate requires 12 credits from two required and two elective courses.
For Public Health Students: Global Health Exchange Partnership
Through the Global Health Exchange Program, each summer, students in the Master of Public Health and Doctor of Public Health programs have the opportunity to travel abroad to India, Ghana, Taiwan and other international sites to study public health topics.
These experiences can fulfill the programs' practicum requirements.
Penn State students who are unable to travel globally have the opportunity to participate in domestic, global-health-focused learning opportunities.
For All Students: University Global Health Resources
Learn More About Our Global Health Programs
Global Health Center
Established in 2008, under the leadership of founding director Benjamin Fredrick, MD, the Global Health Center at Penn State College of Medicine is an interdisciplinary center that provides organization and oversight for the medical center's educational, service, community research and clinical care activities in global health.
Contact the Global Health Center
- Benjamin Fredrick, MD, director: nfredrick@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or 717-531-0003, ext. 281253
- Tamika Washington, assistant director: twashington4@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or 717-531-0003, ext. 320032
- Facebook: Find PSUGlobalHealth on Facebook
- For current students: See information about the Global Health Scholars Program for current students
Public Health International Initiatives
Through a curriculum in international health for public health students, the International Initiatives program seeks to recognize global health disparities and discover promising health care solutions through applied coursework and meaningful international field experiences. The program is designed to provide a framework in which students explore public health issues from a global and culturally competent perspective.
Contact International Initiatives
- Dr. Kristin Sznajder, Associate Director for International Initiatives: ksznajder@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
- General inquiries regarding public health global experiences: ksznajder@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
- For current students: See information about Public Health Sciences' global programs for current students