International Rotation Directory
PIH Health Whittier Hospital
View Residency Information
Last updated: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Description
The Tropical Medicine track aims to provide residents with expertise and education in tropical medicine diseases using a curriculum based on the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Two residents from each program year are members of this track. Track participants meet every other week to learn classic tropical infectious disease, with a focus on sub-saharan Africa, as well as management of common non-communicable diseases in resource poor settings. There is also a higher focus on POCUS. These meetings consist of faculty-directed lectures, discussions of journal articles and literature, and hands-on workshops (i.e., microscopy for malaria diagnosis). During the resident’s second and third year, they will spend 1 month on-site in a sub-Saharan African country working with the local providers to provide patient care. Residents consistently rate these experiences as some of their most impactful and meaningful of their training. Upon return, they give a presentation to the Program on cases they encountered while abroad. Prior sites have included Cameroon, Malawi, Liberia, and Zambia.
Locations of rotations
Sierra Leone
Address
12291 Washington Blvd Ste 500
Whittier, CA 90606-2551
Country
US
Phone
(562) 698-0811 (18533)
Fax
(562)789-4339
Program director
Amber Rebecca Lin MD
Field experience
The overseas component of the program is focused on sub-Saharan Africa. Participating residents will use their away elective time to complete two one-month rotations, once during PGY-2 and once during PGY-3. Key elements include: 1. Emphasis on rigorous preparation; 2. Exposure to a wide variety of problems including the diversity and breadth of clinical issues encountered in hospitals in Africa; 3. Unique clinical experience; 4. Direct faculty supervision; 5. Logistical planning and support; 6. Sharing of knowledge; 7. Contributions; 8. Cultural exchange.
Didactics
As on-campus education, there is a longitudinal didactic component covering some of the major aspects of clinical tropical medicine, which is organized as a combination of lectures, directed reading, practical sessions, online ultrasound modules, laboratory component, paper presentations, and seminars.
Cost to individual residents
Additional cost information
For each overseas rotation, the resident is expected to purchase their own travel vaccines and health/evacuation insurance, which will be reimbursed. Housing is covered, but residents are expected to contribute to shared expenses including food and non-essential travel.
Number of residents who have participated in the last two years
4 - 6
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 of trips
Varies
Duration of trips
1 - 3 months