Grand Rapids Family Medicine Residency

Grand Rapids Family Medicine Residency
300 Lafayette Avenue SE Suite 3400
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-752-6741
http://www.grmerc.net
vanschaj@trinity-health.org

With growing awareness of the world's increasing inter-relatedness -- in terms of information, goods and services, population fluxes and emerging diseases -- has come increased interest in learning about health care in other countries. Our residency has established an international medicine track to provide residents with specific training in this area, with an emphasis on learning about medically underserved populations.

Location(s) of program: Honduras, Mexico; others as requested by residents.

Description of field experience: Our goal is to develop a long-term relationship between our residency and a community in the developing world, to be able to make a lasting and sustainable impact on the lives and careers of the faculty and residents who participate. Rotations will be four weeks in duration and focused on predetermined goals and objectives designed by residents and faculty.

Description of didactics: The lecture series is designed to complement a reading curriculum relevant to international health. Topics include but are not limited to: tropical and infectious diseases, cross-cultural understanding, and socioeconomic and political aspects of health care.

Cost to individual resident: $2,000-4,000 per resident per rotation (this is mostly for travel costs). In most cases, low-cost food and housing are available on site. We provide grant/scholarship monies for residents who apply through our foundation.

Number of residents who have participated in the last two years: 6

Description of faculty involvement: On-site supervision by an attending physician is required; this may be from our core faculty, or arranged with local or missionary physicians.

Does the program accept medical students for trips? No

Does the program accept residents from outside the program for trips? No

Approximate time of year/duration of trips: Variable timing; most trips are for four weeks.

Who to contact if interested in applying:
Sherrie Tamburello, MD
Assistant Program Director
tamburec@trinity-health.org
616-752-6741