Global Scholar Tracks
We offer five global scholar tracks:
The clinical scholar track is a short-term clinical experience in a project country with pre-trip preparation and an opportunity to obtain exposure toward a surgery residency.
Who should apply?
This track is for surgery residents and medical students interested in exposure to global surgery.
The experience:
Clinical scholars spend between a week and a month at a surgical site in a low/middle income country. Residents and students will participate in clinical care at their appropriate level.
Expected output:
Participants will track operative cases and submit a case list to their mentor at the end of the experience. They will write two 500-word blog posts detailing their experiences to be shared on the VCU Global Surgery website.
How to apply:
The global research scholar track is a mentored research project relevant to a project country along with participation in short courses in research methodology.
Who should apply?
This track is for residents and medical students with a strong interest in global surgery or global health, who are interested in acquiring research skills and experiences for professional development.
The experience:
Research scholars spend between a week and a month at a surgical site in a low/middle income country. Participants will complete one or two e-learning courses in the fields of epidemiology and research methodology tailored to their interests. Students and residents can choose from pre-approved courses or seek out their own courses with the approval of their mentor.
Expected output:
Participants will implement a research project to answer a clinical or process-oriented question, with the goal of presenting at a regional meeting. Research scholars are encouraged to publish any results, with support from the department.
How to apply:
The residency track is one to two years of mentored research, time living in-country and participation in a formal master’s program in global health, public health or research.
Who should apply?
This track is for surgical residents with a strong interest in global surgery, who are interested in one or two years of immersion and professional development in the field.
The experience:
Residents spend one to two years at a surgical site in a low/middle income country. This would be conducted during the formal academic enrichment years, or “lab years,” of a general surgery residency. Participants will conduct mentored research on site, in addition to accepting clinical responsibilities appropriate to their level of training. Participants will also complete a master’s degree in public health, health science administration or clinical and translational research with support from VCU.
Expected output:
Participants will engage in clinical, public health and quality improvement research at their chosen site aimed at producing recommendations for research, service or policy changes locally and develop publishable manuscripts. Residents will be encouraged to present at regional, national and international meetings. Residents will also earn a master’s degree from VCU.
How to apply:
The clinical fellowship track is one to two years of clinical work in-country after completion of fellowship, supervision of one or more clinical- or research-track scholars and participation in a formal master’s program in global health, public health or research.
Who should apply?
This track is for surgeons who have graduated from an accredited U.S. surgical residency program with a strong professional interest in global surgery.
The experience:
Fellows spend one to two years at a surgical site in a low/middle income country. Participants will conduct mentored research on site, in addition to accepting clinical responsibilities appropriate to their level of training after registering with the local medical board. Fellows may also mentor and supervise residents and medical students. Participants will also complete a master’s degree in public health, health science administration or clinical and translational research with support from VCU.
Expected output:
Participants will engage in clinical, public health and quality improvement research at their chosen site, aimed at producing recommendations for research, service or policy changes locally and develop publishable manuscripts. They will be encouraged to present at regional, national and international meetings, with support from the department. They will also earn a master’s degree from VCU.
How to apply:
The program scholar track is an open, one- to two-year track for residents from nonsurgical fields and non-VCU clinicians to work on VCU’s global surgery collaborations, receive mentorship by VCU’s global surgeons and participate in formal research courses.
Who should apply?
This track is for nonsurgical residents, medical students and non-VCU clinicians with a strong interest in global health, who are interested in acquiring research skills and experiences for professional development and would like to obtain mentorship by one of VCU’s experts in global health.
The experience:
Program scholars will spend one to two years working with a designated mentor on projects related to a low/middle income country. Participants will conduct research projects in clinical, public health and quality improvement. Participants will also enroll in one or two e-learning courses in the fields of epidemiology and research methodology, tailored to their interests. Students and residents can choose from pre-approved courses or seek out their own courses with the approval of their mentor.
Expected output:
Participants will create and implement a research project to answer a clinical or process-oriented question, with the goal of presenting at a regional meeting. Program scholars will be encouraged to develop abstracts and posters and publish their results in peer-reviewed journals.
How to apply:
Funding
If accepted, scholars will be asked to apply for available grants at VCU or other institutions/organizations to support their work. Self-funding is also acceptable.
