Albany Medical College Family Medicine Residency Program

Albany Medical College Family Medicine Residency Program
2 Clara Barton Drive, Suite 110
Albany, NY 12208
Tel.: 518 213-0336
Fax: 518 213- 0334
wagnerc@mail.amc.edu

A two-week elective is offered up to twice a year for residents and medical students to participate in a medical mission trip to Engeye Health Clinic in Uganda, Africa.

This facility was started by one of the Albany Medical College students who, while in Uganda, saw and felt the need for a health facility, and used her limited resources and that of others to build this outpatient facility which is now open year around. Visit www.engeye.org for more information.

Also in partnership with the health clinic is the Engeye Scholars Program, which is focused on educational resources and community projects (i.e., clean water, nutrition, mosquito nets, etc.) for the local children in this village. Visit www.engeyescholars.com for more information.

Location(s) of international program: Ddegeya Village in Uganda, Africa

Description of field experience: Each time a group of health care providers goes to this clinic, they see on average 100 patients each day for a host of medical problems. Team usually consists of two to three faculty physicians, two residents, eight to 10 medical students, additional staff who help with other tasks such as teaching how to brush your teeth, nutrition, need for hand washing, etc. On-site there is a local clinic manager, two local nurses, a local pharmacist and sometimes a local doctor.

Description of didactics: Preparation is provided with a team meeting and detailed syllabus which provides all the necessary guidelines for the health care team about how to treat some of the common ailments seen each day. All learners are supervised by the faculty physicians at all times. At the end of each day, there is a group reflection meeting in which cases and events are shared with one another and processed to meet the needs of the group, patients and community.

Cost to individual resident: Travel expenses are up to each person on the heath care team. On average these costs run around $2500, which includes all travel expenses, visa processing, Insurances, immunizations required and a contribution to food costs while the group is at the health clinic. The majority of this cost involves airfare. The team travels together for the most part and all stay at the facility in a dormitory style building with primitive resources.

Number of residents who have participated in the last two years: On average there have been two residents who have participated in each trip.

Description of faculty involvement: Faculty are mostly from the Albany Medical College and include Family Physicians, Internists, Pediatricians and ED Physicians.

Does the program accept medical students for trips? Yes– on average there are eight to 10 medical students who go on each trip.

Does the program accept residents from outside the program for trips? Yes, we have accepted residents from other residency programs on our trips, but AMC Family Medicine residents are given priority. Other residency programs throughout the USA also participate in sending health care teams to Engeye.

Approximate time of year/duration of trips: Usually happens in late January or early Feb and then again in July, each for a two-week period.

Who to contact if interested in applying:
Theresa Weinman
Outreach Coordinator
AMC Department of Family and Community Medicine
weinmat@mail.amc.edu
Tel.: (518)262-5797