University of University of Washington School of Washington School of

MedicineMedicine

International Health International Health Opportunities ProgramOpportunities Program

http://depts.washington.edu/ihg/http://depts.washington.edu/ihg/

International Health International Health Opportunities Program (IHOP)Opportunities Program (IHOP)

• International program for UWSOM International program for UWSOM students between the 1st and 2nd students between the 1st and 2nd year of medical school year of medical school

• Provide international and public Provide international and public health exposure health exposure

• 6 International sites: Palau, Mexico, 6 International sites: Palau, Mexico, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, IndiaPeru, Ghana, Kenya, India

• Each site has ties to UW facultyEach site has ties to UW faculty• Students have participated since Students have participated since

20032003

Program GoalsProgram 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 IHOP: International Health Opportunities ProgramOpportunities Program

• All Sites except Mexico require students to All Sites except Mexico require students to spend 10-12 contiguous weeks in-country. spend 10-12 contiguous weeks in-country. Mexico is a 4-week clinical experience. Mexico is a 4-week clinical experience.

• 2003: 8 students 2003: 8 students • 2004: 10 students2004: 10 students• 2005: 9 students2005: 9 students• 2006: 10 students2006: 10 students

IHOP positions available in 2007IHOP positions available in 2007

►Summer 2007 sites:Summer 2007 sites: Ghana (up to 2 students)Ghana (up to 2 students) Kenya (up to 2 students)Kenya (up to 2 students) India (up to 2 students)India (up to 2 students) Peru (up to 2 students)Peru (up to 2 students) Palau (up to 2 students)Palau (up to 2 students) Mexico (up to 2 students)Mexico (up to 2 students)

►Maximum of 12 students, but may be Maximum of 12 students, but may be fewer depending on applicant fewer depending on applicant qualifications.qualifications.

IHOP Applicant CharacteristicsIHOP Applicant Characteristics

►Applicant characteristicsApplicant characteristics Long-term interest in pursuing a career Long-term interest in pursuing a career

serving disadvantaged populations overseasserving disadvantaged populations overseas Initiative and ability to work independentlyInitiative and ability to work independently Prior international health experience ORPrior international health experience OR Prior public health experience OR Prior public health experience OR Prior experience working with disadvantaged Prior experience working with disadvantaged

populationspopulations

IHOP Student SelectionIHOP Student Selection

• Applications blindedApplications blinded• Requires letter of recommendationRequires letter of recommendation• Applicants chosen by panel of IHG Applicants chosen by panel of IHG

board members and faculty with board members and faculty with international experience.international experience.

• Each applicant is reviewed by UWSOM Each applicant is reviewed by UWSOM Academic Office to make sure student Academic Office to make sure student is in good academic standing.is in good academic standing.

• IHOP grant can be revoked at any time IHOP grant can be revoked at any time if student’s academic standing in if student’s academic standing in jeopardy.jeopardy.

Letter of RecommendationLetter of Recommendation

• 1 letter of recommendation (LoR) required for 1 letter of recommendation (LoR) required for IHOP application.IHOP application.

• Professional reference: must be from someone Professional reference: must be from someone who you’ve worked with in a professional who you’ve worked with in a professional capacity or faculty member (from any capacity or faculty member (from any institution) who you’ve worked with or taken a institution) who you’ve worked with or taken a class from. class from.

• LoR cannot be from family members.LoR cannot be from family members.• The most important thing about a LoR is that The most important thing about a LoR is that

the person writing the letter knows you well and the person writing the letter knows you well and can speak to the qualities that make you a can speak to the qualities that make you a superb applicant for IHOP.superb applicant for IHOP.

IHOP Applicant Selection IHOP Applicant Selection TimelineTimeline

►Applicant selectionApplicant selection November 27th: Applications availableNovember 27th: Applications available January 15th, 2007 Noon: Applications January 15th, 2007 Noon: Applications

duedue January 22nd-26th, 2007: InterviewsJanuary 22nd-26th, 2007: Interviews January 28th: IHOP announces 2007 January 28th: IHOP announces 2007

participantsparticipants Spring break (1 weekend): OrientationSpring break (1 weekend): Orientation Summer 2007: IHOP!Summer 2007: IHOP!

IHOP RequirementsIHOP Requirements• Spend 10-12 weeks at program site Spend 10-12 weeks at program site

(Mexico 4 weeks).(Mexico 4 weeks).• Attend spring orientation and other Attend spring orientation and other

info meetings info meetings • Compliance with health requirementsCompliance with health requirements• Completion of IHOP project, including Completion of IHOP project, including

poster presentation poster presentation • Assist with Tumaini fundraiserAssist with Tumaini fundraiser• Spanish proficiency if going to Peru.Spanish proficiency if going to Peru.• Evaluation of program upon returnEvaluation of program upon return• 10 high quality pictures detailing 10 high quality pictures detailing

your in-country activitiesyour in-country activities

IHOP and the IIIIHOP and the III

► Fulfilling the III requirement depends on site Fulfilling the III requirement depends on site selection:selection: Palau: III Selective 1 (original research)Palau: III Selective 1 (original research) Peru, Kenya: III selective 2 (literature Peru, Kenya: III selective 2 (literature

review)review) Ghana, India: III selective 3 (experience Ghana, India: III selective 3 (experience

driven inquiry)driven inquiry) Mexico: No III selectiveMexico: No III selective Currently working on getting more III Currently working on getting more III

selective 3 sitesselective 3 sites

Tumaini Project Tumaini Project FundraiserFundraiser

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