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• Program Information
• Application Information
• Financial Information
• Contact Information

Program Information

Program Information

Ghana is a West African country that, although more economically and politically stable than many other African countries, has dire health care needs. For the 22 million inhabitants there are approximately 2,500 health care providers total.

"Educating for Service” is the motto for the Rural Health Training School in Kintampo and its graduates live by it. This clinically service based rotation will give students the opportunity to see patients and learn about how medicine is practiced in Ghana, as well as teach. The students and participating faculty will be a part of the collaboration with the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program and the Rural Health Training Program’s Annual International Seminar by giving lectures to practicing clinicians and students.

This rotation is open to Physician Assistant students enrolled in their clinical training year, and Family Medicine Residents. The vision of this rotation is service based with an emphasis on exposing the participants to a sustainable international rotation model. It has been made possible thru the collaboration with the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program, Ghana Ministry of Health, KNUST School of Medicine, Rural Health Training School, and medical practitioners in Ghana.

Curriculum

Student will participate in teaching at Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Medicine in Kumasi, and the Rural Health Training School in Kintampo.

In clinical settings students will be paired with Ghanaian health care providers. The clinical experiences will range from Family Medicine, Obstetrics, Public Health Nursing, In-Patient and Specialty Care (ie – Buruli ulcer clinic). Although English is the primary language in Ghana, translators will be made available for students as needed.

The pre-departure materials will be covered on set orientation days. These are a requirement of this rotation.

After returning, the students will spend 3-5 days working with refugee populations in Salt Lake City – to apply global health concepts learned abroad.

Short, round type presentations, as well as informal lectures will be presented by the students upon completion of the rotation.

Credit
PA students will receive credit for an approved elective rotation as part of their clinical rotations.

Family Medicine Residents will receive credit as determined thru the residency program.

Faculty

Nadia Miniclier MS, PA-C, is the Director of the Ghana Clinical Medicine rotation for the Univ. of Utah Physician Assistant Program, thru the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She has a working relationship with the Deputy Minister of Health and Ministry of Health in Ghana, as well as the Director of the Rural Health Training School in Kintampo. Her focus is clinical training in a service oriented manner.  While furthering collaborations with the Ghana Ministry of Health, the Rural Health Training School and the University of Utah she feels honored to lead students on this rotation.

DeVon Hale MD, the Assistant Dean of International Medical Studies has participated in service trips to Ghana for several years and has extensive international health experience.  He will provide assistance for this program.  He is Board Certified in Infectious Disease with a specialized practice and background in travel medicine and tropical diseases.  He is the Medical Director of the International Travel Clinic and the University Hospital.

Other faculty and staff will be provided by the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, KNUST in Kumasi, and Rural Health Training School in Kintampo, Ghana.

Accommodation

Students will be housed on the KNUST campus while in Kumasi and surrounding areas, and in field dormitories when in Kintampo.  Both internet access and laundry services are available at the KNUST campus at low cost.  Inexpensive restaurants are also available nearby.  Single occupancy rooms can be requested for an additional fee (approximately $440).

Getting to Ghana

Accepted applicants are responsible for arranging their own air travel.  More information will be provided to participants at the pre-departure meeting.

Tentative Itinerary

Application Information

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Minimum age of 18
• This program is open to PA students in their clinical year of training and Family Medicine residents. Other applications will be reviewed - and special considerations made for other clinically training students.
• Applicants should check with your faculty lead on eligibility (i.e. academic and professional standing in your program)
• All applicants will be interviewed as part of the selection process

Application Deadline

1 July 2009 (for U of U students)
28 August 2009 (for non-U of U students)
1 November 2009 (for Residents / Clinicians)

Application Process

• Students must submit a complete Global Health Application, including a personal statement, letter of reference (letter must be from a clinical preceptor) and a photocopy of the first page of their passport.
• The application and $500 initial program payment should be presented or mailed to the Cashier's Window, 165 Student Services Building.  (Please be sure to include your U of U ID number).  The cashier will issue a receipt and stamp your application "Paid."  Return the application materials to the Study Abroad Office.  All applications will be reviewed by the program director and the Study Abroad Office staff to determine eligibility.  Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance into the program. Non U of U students should submit their initial program payments directly to the Study Abroad Office.
• Additional pre-departure materials will be emailed to all accepted participants.
• If an applicant is determined ineligible for program participation the $500 payment will be refunded in full.
• U of U students, students at other colleges or universities, alumni and qualified members of our community are welcome to apply to participate in U of U study abroad programs.
• All applicants will also be interviewed as part of the application procedure.
• Questions about the application process?  Contact the Study Abroad Office.

Financial Information

Program Cost

To be determined. The 2009 program price was $1,875.

Includes: Tuition, lodging (double accommodations), ground transportation, excursions, and international health insurance.

Does Not Include: Airfare, passport, visa, meals, personal expenses, and independent travel.

Although not anticipated, the program price may change due to fluctuation of currency exchange rates and contracted agencies, or number of participants.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for U of U students.  Download the applications on-line or visit the Study Abroad Office for more information.

The University of Utah Global Health Alliance (UUGHA) also has scholarships available. Click here to download the UUGHA Scholarship Application.

Refund Policy

$200 plus any unrecoverable to the Study Abroad Office at the time of withdrawal are non-refundable. To withdraw, the applicant must formally file a Withdrawal Form with the Study Abroad Office. If an applicant is determined ineligible to participate, the $500 deposit will be refunded in full.

Download this information

Pre-Departure Handbook: The Study Abroad Office would like you to have a safe and healthy experience abroad.  Therefore, we are asking that you read carefully the Pre-Departure Handbook then sign and return the required documents (at the end of the handbook) to the Study Abroad Office:

200 S. Central Campus Drive
Union 159
Salt Lake City UT 84112
FAX: 801-581-5914

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