Global health has been a part of Tulane’s DNA since its inception in 1834. The University of Louisiana Medical School (now Tulane University) was founded in 1834 to combat yellow fever in the city of New Orleans. In the early 1800’s, with New Orleans still being a “drained swamp,” one in five New Orleans citizens died of yellow fever each year. It was Tulane’s calling then, from its inception, to be a part of public health, and that has continued to today.
The Tulane Global Health track is reserved for those residents who wish to get an early start at establishing a career in academic Global Health. Two residents are selected per year to be a part of the global health track. In the first year of the track, you will receive extensive training in the skills/knowledge you will need to make the most of your over-seas rotations. The second and third year’s allow for international rotations, where you will work with Tulane faculty in on-going research projects at the destination. Much more than “medical tourism,” this enables you to participate in exponential solutions to disparities in international healthcare, preparing you for an academic career where you can further those contributions. The program is supported by the Piper Foundation, providing financial support for your participation in the program.
Ins and Outs:
The Resident Initiative in Global Health at Tulane (RIGHT) program will provide skills and training to residents interested in a career path in global health. By offering opportunities for residents to expand their medical knowledge and experience internationally, the program aims to add to the community of ethically-guided advocates for evidence-based holistic approaches to equitable care, locally and abroad.
The track combines five core components.
1. Education
- Bi-monthly seminar series
- Tropical medicine journal club and case series
- Unite for Sight online curriculum
2. Mentorship
- One-on-one mentor with experience in global health
3. International rotation
- Three months (total) working at one or more international sites
4. Scholarly project
- Mentor-approved project in an area of interest in global health
5. Local clinical experience
- Travel medicine clinic
- Opportunities for collaborating with local clinics serving underserved populations
Program Requirements
The Global Health track is incorporated into your current residency program. Once accepted to the track, you will be required to attend a majority of the seminars, journal clubs, and case series lectures, complete a scholarly project (this can range from any of the following: a case series, clinical research project, needs assessment, quality improvement, or educational project), and meet regularly with your mentor. Additionally, RIGHT scholars will also be encouraged to work with underserved populations locally.
Program Benefits
As a Global Health resident, you will have access to educational resources through the School of Public Health’s Tropical Medicine and Global Health divisions. Additionally, most or all travel expenses (will depend on location) will be paid for. Finally, after completing all work for the Global Health Pathway, recognition of completion will be reflected on your residency diploma.
At the conclusion of the Global Health Pathway, rests another opportunity to take your academic global health career to the next level. Tulane University is part of a collaborative Fogarty grant with Johns Hopkins, Univ. of North Carolina and Meharry University. The Fogarty program supports one year of international training following the completion of residency, or a year between the second and third year of residency training. More than just the trip to the research site, the Fogarty program provides extensive training and mentorship, designed to launch your career in academic global health.
