Global Health Fellowship

The University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine Department of Family & Community Medicine (UCDFCM), Division of Urban Underserved and Global Health is offering a two-year post-residency family medicine Global Health Fellowship which is designed for physicians interested in caring for underserved/vulnerable populations while strengthening their competency and academic standing in global health through scholarship activity with the potential to complete a Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree. A shorter fellowship is possible if the MPH is not desired.  

The Global Health Fellowship is a unique partnership between the UCDFCM, Wuqu’ Kawoq/ Maya Health Alliance and Village Life Outreach Project.  Underserved populations are served by these partner organizations in Guatemala and Tanzania, respectively. Sites are alternated yearly, Guatemala 2019 and Tanzania 2020. It is a non-ACGME-accredited fellowship in which the Fellow is appointed as an entry-level faculty member in the University of Cincinnati Department of Family & Community Medicine.  The fellow will provide care to underserved populations in Cincinnati and one of the international sites.

Fellowship Objectives

Fellows deepen their competencies in these six key areas of Global & Underserved Health:  Social Determinants of Health; Community and Population Health; Low Resource Setting and Vulnerable Populations healthcare; Effective Communication and Cultural Humility; Advocacy grounded in Global Health Ethics; and Sustainable Servant-leadership in Interdisciplinary Teams. 

Fellows work with their appointed Global Health Fellowship Advisor to develop a specific set of Objectives that achieve the above Competencies.  As a result of the Global Health Fellowship, Fellows will:

1. Improve their ability to provide high-quality clinical care to meet the needs of patients in low-resource settings and vulnerable populations.
2. Achieve a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate degree.
3. Develop scholarship, public health, and cross-cultural experience in partnership with our overseas non-government organization in Guatemala. 
4. Apply point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to improve clinical care.
5. Develop leadership, teaching, and scholarship skills and experience as a UC department faculty member in the Division of Global & Underserved Health. 

Fellowship Prerequisites

The following qualifications/competencies are required in order for an applicant to be considered for the Global Health Fellowship:

1. Completion of a U.S. ACGME-accredited Family Medicine Residency in good standing
2. ABFM Board Certification
3. Medical licensure in the State of Ohio will be needed
4. Foundational knowledge in global health, such as the completion of a 1-month medical school course or residency rotation
5. Experience in an overseas, developing country (LMIC) setting

Fellowship Activities/Curriculum

To accomplish the GH Fellowship Objectives, residents participate in the following activities:

1. Clinical Care:  Provide primary care for underserved patients for approximately 20hrs/wk in partnership with the Cincinnati Health Department or another approved site. 
2. Precepting:  Precept at The Christ Hospital / UC Family Medicine clinic
3. Ultrasound:  Attend an 8-hour Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training course and assist in providing/teaching POCUS applications in precepting sessions in the FMC and in Guatemala.
4. LMIC Partner Capacity Building:  Work with one of our international partners in improving their healthcare mission. 
5. MPH Education/Degree:  Attend classes and complete course work and projects necessary to achieve a Master of Public Health degree in Global Health from the University of Cincinnati
6. Academic Leadership:  Contribute to the academic mission of the Global and Underserved Health Division in the area of Global Health through a combination of activities including:
   • Teaching TCH/UC family medicine residents in Global Health Conferences.
   • Teaching/designing select topics/modules in residency and student Global Health Courses.
   • Teaching at a UC Family Medicine Grand Rounds.
   • Publishing and/or presenting at a national conference a topic of interest in Global Health. 

Compensation/Certification

The compensation/certification for the Global Health Fellowship includes:

1. Appointment:  Appointment in the UCDFCM as an entry-level adjunct faculty member
2. Salary:  PGY Salary & Benefits based on UC COM Fellowship Salary Scale and level of fellow
   1. 1.0 FTE = 0.5 FTE Clinical Care (UCH) + 0.15 FTE Academic (UC) + 0.35 FTE (MPH Course)
   2. 40h/w = 20h/w Clinical Care (UCH) + 6h/w Academic (UC) + 14h/w MPH Course
3. CME:  PGY4-plus CME Reimbursement based on UCDFCM faculty CME
4. Travel Expenses:  Travel expense coverage for two roundtrips and in-country room & board stipend for travel to and work within our international partner’s organization, potentially for up to 3 months
5. MPH Tuition:  Free tuition for the University of Cincinnati Master of Public Health (MPH) course and award of MPH degree for successful completion (Free tuition does not include the cost of taxes and additional study costs such as books/supplies.)
6. GH Fellowship Certificate:  A University of Cincinnati approved Certificate of Completion for a Fellowship in Global Health

How do I apply?

The application period is from July 1 to November 30. 

Please send your CV and personal statement which includes your goals for the fellowship and your reasons for desiring more training in global health to our Chuck Schubert MD, at schubecj@ucmail.uc.edu.   

2-3 letters of recommendation will also be required

For more information about our partners, please visit the following websites:

• University of Cincinnati Department of Family & Community Medicine:med.uc.edu/family/community
• Wuqu’ Kawoq / Maya Health Alliance: www.wuqukawoq.org
• Village Life Outreach Project:  villagelifeoutreachproject.org