Program for Education in Global and Population Health

Global Pop's Activity Areas for 2020

global_pop_at_the_vagelos_college_of_physicians_and_surgeons

From the first year of medical school, Global Pop offers an integrated array of didactic, research, clinical, cross-cultural and community-based opportunities that span the entire four-year medical school experience, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of the numerous factors that threaten and improve the health of people around the world.  

Every year, over 200 students join our various programs. While the majority come from the Medical School, our program is also open to students from schools across Columbia’s Health Sciences Campus, allowing for an inter-professional experience.

Global Pop’s Opportunities Encompass the Following Areas:

Student Research

Our program organizes, monitors, and finances research experiences throughout the medical school years.

  • In the summer between the first and second year of medical school – we offer an 8-week research program
  • In the 4th year – Global Pop supports the Global Health track for Scholarly Projects, where students spend 4 to 8 months exploring an area of global health research
  • In the 4th or 5th year, students interested in pursuing a dual MD-MS degree with a Global Health focus may apply for funding for a full research year.
    • Summer Research Program
    • Scholarly Projects (Global Health Track)
    • Research Year (MD-MS in Biomedical Sciences – Global Health Focus)

Courses

Our courses are designed to optimally prepare students who pursue global health opportunities locally and abroad and to enhance the impact of their work.

  • Introduction to Global and Population Health
  • Research Methods in Global and Population Health
  • Independent Study in Global and Population Health
  • Advanced Topics in Global and Population Health
  • Vaccines: From Biology to Policy

Degrees

MD-MS in Biomedical Sciences – Global Health Focus

Global Pop oversees the global and population health area-of-focus of the MD-MS program in biomedical sciences. Medical students enrolled in this 30-credit program participate in a year of Global Health research and earn a Master of Science degree.

Cross-Cultural Fluency

Global Pop considers that exposure to the cultural aspects of a community, including its language, is fundamental to increasing students’ empathy toward their future patients, their understanding of their patients’ community health issues, and their ability to help address those issues.

We focus our Cross-Cultural Fluency programs on the Latino immigrant population in Washington Heights, the neighborhood surrounding our Health Sciences campus. Official data shows that over two-thirds of the neighborhood’s population is Latino and over a third is reported as being Limited English Proficient.

  • Pre-Orientation Program (Bienvenidos): 4-day immersion in Washington Heights
  • Summer Medical Spanish Immersion Program (Dígame): language classes, practice sessions, and cross-cultural lectures
  • Summer placements in health-related and community-based organizations
  • SIM Center Language Assessment Program

Events

  • Global and Population Health Symposium
  • Careers in Global Health – Speaker Series
  • Expert panels in Global Health topics
  • Conference participation

Student Organizations

  • Global Health Student Organization
  • Dígame más Student Club