Global Health

A unique opportunity to learn, teach and practice primary care and global health in Africa and the Bronx

Kisoro Hospital, Uganda

The Global Health Fellowship program was established to encourage Einstein students to participate in clinical, public health or research experiences in developing nations in order to gain a deeper understanding of how economic and sociocultural factors influence the health of individuals and populations; acquire knowledge about diseases that are unique or especially prevalent in these nations; and obtain insight into the organization and effectiveness of these nations' health care delivery and public health systems.

GHACS grows from the synergy between doctoring in a resource-poor setting in Uganda where well-honed clinical skills are essential, and the use of those skills in teaching practical bedside medicine at home. The program creates an opportunity for globally-minded internists to work in rural Africa 2-3 months per year while maintaining a primary care practice in the underserved South Bronx, and clinician-educators with a dual passion for addressing global health disparities and teaching low-tech clinical skills (physical diagnosis, clinical reasoning, and cost-effective diagnosis), to thrive.

By joining a team of five global health faculty who share ward attending roles in Uganda and patient panels in New York, our new colleague will:

  • develop and teach skills in bedside diagnosis and medical education
  • improve clinical care in low-resource settings in Africa and the South Bronx
  • address the world’s “workforce crisis” head-on
  • learn global health through both course and field work

Although not primarily research focused, the GHACS team has opportunities for educational research and health services assessment in rural Africa through community projects sponsored by Doctors for Global Health (DGH) and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

The Faculty/Fellowship Experience

Dr. Jerry Paccione, program leader, during rounds at the hospital in Kisoro

The Fellowship is geared for PGY IV-Vs or those with relatively limited global health experience.

The Faculty position is geared for those who have completed an equivalent global health fellowship or have one or more years of physician experience in under-resourced international settings.

  • 2-3 months as global health faculty in Kisoro, Uganda, in two 4-6 week blocks. Roles include ward and outpatient attending with residents and students in a remote district hospital. Involvement with community projects is encouraged.
  • 8-9 months as Primary Care/Social Internal Medicine faculty in Montefiore’s South Bronx clinic. GHACS fellows are partnered, with each covering the other’s panel of patients when one is in Uganda. Responsibilities per week include:
    • direct patient care, 4 sessions
    • housestaff ambulatory preceptor, 2 sessions
    • education/projects/administration, 4 sessions (fellows work on both Kisoro-based projects and educational initiatives under the guidance of Jerry Paccione and the GHACS faculty)  

GHACS fellows and faculty gain extensive teaching experience in the following settings:

  • Uganda, 2-3 months/year, both inpatient and ambulatory, teaching and supervision;
  • Montefiore: Precepting in the PC/SM clinic, 2 sessions/week attending on the teaching service: one month
  • Global Health Course instructor: GHACS sponsors 2 intensive and very popular Global Health courses spanning a combined total of 6 weeks' full-time elective at Einstein and Hofstra medical schools.
  • Weekly GHACS faculty seminars - GHACS meets for 3 four-hour sessions a month for a series of engaging seminars:
    • "Kisoro Cases of the Week"
    • Literature Review
    • Physical Diagnosis Rounds
    • Clinical Skills Journal Club
    • Global Health Journal Club
    • curriculum development discussions for Global Health courses
    • Kisoro updates
    • Monthly Housestaff seminars - once a month, each GHACS faculty member and fellow leads similar clinical and public health seminars with Montefiore internal medicine housestaff.

Income and Benefits

The fellowship is 2 years. Faculty candidates are expected to make a multi-year commitment.

~$110-130,000, depending on experience, plus round-trip airfare and housing in Uganda.

Fellows are eligible for an Advanced Certificate in Global Medicine from New York State.

Contact

Further inquiries should be sent to:

Gerald Paccione, MD

Gerald Paccione, MD

Professor of Clinical Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

gpaccion@montefiore.org