by Jennifer Kowalewski

Caridad Martinez would like to study medicine abroad by taking advantage of OU-COM’s international programs.

“I think they give you the opportunity to learn and get involved in research,” she says.

The first-year medical student had the opportunity to learn about these programs at the International Programs Fair held Monday, Oct. 24. The fair brought together programs, their directors and past participants with inquiring students. As Martinez walked around Irvine Hall, enjoying the finger food, she talked about the importance of understanding medical care around the planet.

“We are a global community,” Martinez says. “I think International Programs shows a great appreciation for the global community, while allowing us to explore different health issues.”

Cheri Sheets, administrative assistant for social medicine and international programs, says, “Our international programs give students the chance to grow personally and professionally.”

“Improving cultural sensitivity, helping medical students hone their history taking and clinical skills, providing opportunities for research, facilitating the educational exchange of information, developing and improving language and communication skills and increasing the exposure of osteopathic medicine worldwide are among the goals of our programs.”

Each year, about 30 students from OU-COM take part in programs, says Gillian Ice, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of International Programs and chairwoman of the International Programs Advisory Committee. The fair brought together programs offered by the college and the university.

International Programs include the Share Kenya-Ohio, a clinical program started by Benson Bonyo, D.O. (’98), to bring more and better medical care into rural western Kenya. In Kenya, medical students see a variety of diseases not common in the United States, such as leprosy and typhoid. The Kenyan Grandparents Study seeks to examine the impact of care-giving for orphaned children on the health and well-being of their grandparents.

The Individually-Organized Program allows students to design their own program through churches, universities, the American Medical Association or other organizations. Traditional Chinese Medicine takes students to Beijing for one month to learn at the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guang’an Men Hospital and the World Health Organization.

Introduction to the Galapagos Islands Natural History is open to all students interested in learning about these islands and the species inhabiting them.

The Tropical Disease Biology Workshop in Ecuador focuses on research of tropical diseases, such as chagas and malaria. Alongside this is the community-based Tropical Disease Research program, in which students conduct research and help to educate communities on the health issues of the region.

One of the longest running programs at OU-COM is Charles J. Cannon Edinburgh Geriatric Tutorial, which takes students to a world-class center for geriatric research and training.

Deborah Meyer, Ph.D., R.N., administrator of the geriatrics tutorial and assistant professor of geriatric medicine, says the program offers a chance to see geriatric care in Scotland, considered by many to the best in the world.

“These programs provide great experiences with non-American medical practices,” Meyer says. “They give students an opportunity to see other cultures, health-care system and diseases not prevalent in this country. I think the fair is a great idea.”

“It allows students to see the entire scope of international programs in one venue.”

At the fair, music played while pictorial displays showed the past experiences of OU-COM students. Passing on words of wisdom were some of those students.

Third-year Amy Zidron and second-year Sarah Schillig were on hand to talk about their experiences abroad. Both spent time in Kenya and plan to return. Zidron saw many diseases not common in Western society.

“You have the opportunity to use what you’ve learned here at OU-COM,” she says, adding that the trip was “life altering.”

“It is the most amazing thing I’ve ever done.”

Schillig worked on the grandparents study in Kenya. At the fair, she said she hoped she helped students better understand what international programs are all about.

“It’s phenomenal how much one can learn and impact the well-being of others with so few of the resources that we have here,” she says.

You can learn more about OU-COM’s international programs at the International Programs Web site, http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/International/index.htm.