University of Washington School of Medicine International Health Opportunities Program

International Health Opportunities Program (IHOP) International program for UWSOM students between the 1st and 2nd year of medical school International program for UWSOM students between the 1st and 2nd year of medical school Provide international and public health exposure Provide international and public health exposure 6 International sites: Palau, Mexico, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, India 6 International sites: Palau, Mexico, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, India Each site has ties to UW faculty Each site has ties to UW faculty Students have participated since 2003 Students have participated since 2003

Program Goals Provide cross-cultural exposure and experiences to students who are dedicated to working with underserved populations. Provide public health experience in resource poor settings.

IHOP: International Health Opportunities Program All Sites except Mexico require students to spend contiguous weeks in-country. Mexico is a 4- week clinical experience. All Sites except Mexico require students to spend contiguous weeks in-country. Mexico is a 4- week clinical experience. 2003: 8 students 2003: 8 students 2004: 10 students 2004: 10 students 2005: 9 students 2005: 9 students 2006: 10 students 2006: 10 students

IHOP positions available in 2007 ► Summer 2007 sites:  Ghana (up to 2 students)  Kenya (up to 2 students)  India (up to 2 students)  Peru (up to 2 students)  Palau (up to 2 students)  Mexico (up to 2 students) ► Maximum of 12 students, but may be fewer depending on applicant qualifications.

IHOP Applicant Characteristics ► Applicant characteristics  Long-term interest in pursuing a career serving disadvantaged populations overseas  Initiative and ability to work independently  Prior international health experience OR  Prior public health experience OR  Prior experience working with disadvantaged populations

IHOP Student Selection Applications blinded Applications blinded Requires letter of recommendation Requires letter of recommendation Applicants chosen by panel of IHG board members and faculty with international experience. Applicants chosen by panel of IHG board members and faculty with international experience. Each applicant is reviewed by UWSOM Academic Office to make sure student is in good academic standing. Each applicant is reviewed by UWSOM Academic Office to make sure student is in good academic standing. IHOP grant can be revoked at any time if student’s academic standing in jeopardy. IHOP grant can be revoked at any time if student’s academic standing in jeopardy.

Letter of Recommendation 1 letter of recommendation (LoR) required for IHOP application. 1 letter of recommendation (LoR) required for IHOP application. Professional reference: must be from someone who you’ve worked with in a professional capacity or faculty member (from any institution) who you’ve worked with or taken a class from. Professional reference: must be from someone who you’ve worked with in a professional capacity or faculty member (from any institution) who you’ve worked with or taken a class from. LoR cannot be from family members. LoR cannot be from family members. The most important thing about a LoR is that the person writing the letter knows you well and can speak to the qualities that make you a superb applicant for IHOP. The most important thing about a LoR is that the person writing the letter knows you well and can speak to the qualities that make you a superb applicant for IHOP.

IHOP Applicant Selection Timeline ► Applicant selection  November 27th: Applications available  January 15th, 2007 Noon: Applications due  January 22nd-26th, 2007: Interviews  January 28th: IHOP announces 2007 participants  Spring break (1 weekend): Orientation  Summer 2007: IHOP!

IHOP Requirements Spend weeks at program site (Mexico 4 weeks). Spend weeks at program site (Mexico 4 weeks). Attend spring orientation and other info meetings Attend spring orientation and other info meetings Compliance with health requirements Compliance with health requirements Completion of IHOP project, including poster presentation Completion of IHOP project, including poster presentation Assist with Tumaini fundraiser Assist with Tumaini fundraiser Spanish proficiency if going to Peru. Spanish proficiency if going to Peru. Evaluation of program upon return Evaluation of program upon return 10 high quality pictures detailing your in- country activities 10 high quality pictures detailing your in- country activities

IHOP and the III ► Fulfilling the III requirement depends on site selection:  Palau: III Selective 1 (original research)  Peru, Kenya: III selective 2 (literature review)  Ghana, India: III selective 3 (experience driven inquiry)  Mexico: No III selective  Currently working on getting more III selective 3 sites

Tumaini Project Fundraiser  Project run by UW & University of Nairobi faculty  Provides support for HIV+ Kenyans  IHOP participants organize annual fundraiser (raffle, bake sale, auction)  Raises awareness regarding the scope of the HIV epidemic  ~ $7000 raised last year  Fundraiser held in spring