Global Health

The Global Health Pathway (GHP) administered by the Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health combines mentored research, individualized career development, global clinical experience, and opportunities for advanced didactic training through the Duke Global Health Institute. A distinctive feature of the GHP is that it brings together Duke Internal Medicine residents with residents and fellows from across Duke Health who share an interest in global health. This multidisciplinary community fosters shared learning, mentorship, and collaboration across specialties.

Program Structure

Global Health Residents develop core global health competencies through training tailored to their interests, experience, and long-term career goals. The traditional GHP provides an immersive research and training experience and extends residency by 12 months, contingent upon available funding. Residents complete nine months of coursework leading to a Master of Science in Global Health (MS-GH) while continuing their Internal Medicine continuity clinic. As part of the traditional pathway, they also spend a total of nine months providing clinical care and conducting mentored research at a Duke global health partner site. MS-GH fieldwork and thesis requirements are completed during PGY4.

In selected circumstances, an individualized longitudinal option may allow a resident to incorporate elements of GHP training within the standard three-year residency. The structure of this option depends on the resident’s goals and the availability of appropriate mentorship, funding, and program resources.

GHP field experiences take place within established Duke global health partnerships, allowing residents to contribute to ongoing research, clinical, and educational collaborations. Recent trainees have worked in Peru, Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Potential sites and projects depend on resident interests, faculty mentorship, and partnership priorities.

Applications

Internal Medicine residents interested in the GHP are encouraged to contact program leadership before or during PGY1 to discuss their career goals, potential mentors, and available opportunities. Residents may apply to the traditional GHP after successfully completing PGY1 and receiving approval from the Internal Medicine Residency Program Director. Participation in the traditional pathway begins in July of PGY3.

Selection is competitive and depends on applicant qualifications, available placements, and funding. Preference is given to residents who demonstrate a sustained commitment to addressing health disparities and an intention to pursue a career in global health.

For current application dates, instructions, and trainee profiles, visit the Hubert-Yeargan Center’s Global Health Pathway website.

Global Health Elective Rotation

Separate from the Global Health Pathway, Internal Medicine residents may apply to participate in a global health clinical elective. This opportunity includes 8-weeks of clinical elective during SAR year (or final year of training for combined residents) at one of our six longstanding global partner sites in Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Peru, and New Mexico (Indian Health Service). Additionally, IM residents participate in a longitudinal curriculum including lecture series and debriefing sessions throughout the academic year, together with GME trainees from other Duke residency programs. The curriculum focuses on foundations of global health, health equity, ethics, and health care delivery across diverse settings.

In partnership with the Hubert Yeargan Center for Global Health (HYC) at Duke, these global health elective rotations have a long history of providing valuable clinical experiences for our residents to engage in meaningful global health electives that foster deep professional and personal growth in residency.

Residents from Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine/Psychiatry are eligible to apply. Applications are typically due in the fall of JAR year.

Read more about HYC and the health clinical electives program.