Global Health Leadership Program
The mission of the Johns Hopkins Global Health Leadership Program (GHLP) is to train future leaders in global health through an exchange of cultural, clinical, and educational knowledge and skills. The GHLP, which is open to students from the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health, provides transformational, interprofessional learning experiences for participants and tangible benefits to host institutions and organizations. Participants will learn to better leverage their skills in clinical practice, research, and programmatic planning across different global health contexts.
Currently, there are two electives under GHLP:
1. GHLP-International
While abroad, students will work and learn in a multidisciplinary and interprofessional environment that incorporates expertise from physicians, non-physician providers, nurses, and public health experts. at an international site to pursue a scholarly project identified in collaboration with the host institution, such as a quality improvement initiative or research project that can be completed during their time abroad. During their international rotations, students may also have the option to spend time at a governmental or non-governmental organization to further enhance their global health experience. Interested students can also complete a separate programmatic internship at WHO.
International sites (subject to change): India, Nepal, Peru
Elective requirements
- Pre-departure training
- Well-supervised clinical experience at the international site
- Interdisciplinary scholarly project
- Post-departure debriefing
- Optional: Programmatic experience (internship)
- WHO Emergency and Essential Surgical Care
- Jhpiego
2. GHLP-Migrant Health and Human Rights (Domestic)
This elective was developed specifically in response to the changing landscape of global health and to train future global health leaders to address mounting challenges regarding health equity and access among refugee and migrant populations domestically and internationally.
Globalization, climate change, violence, discrimination, and poverty are driving millions of people away from their homes and shaping the modern world. In this context, migration is increasingly conceptualized as a public health issue, and immigration status has become a key social determinant of health. This elective is focused on the multidisciplinary field of migrant health and human rights and provides transformational, interprofessional learning experiences for participants and tangible benefits to our partner institutions and organizations. Interested students may opt to apply for an extended elective (6 – 8 weeks), which includes an internship with Tahirih Justice Center, a national organization dedicated to protecting immigrant women and girls fleeing violence (requires approval by Tahirih Justice Center staff).
Elective requirements
- Pre-elective training in forensic evaluation of asylum seekers (available through Physicians For Human Rights)
- Well-supervised clinical experience participating in forensic evaluations of asylum seekers complemented with online modules on trauma-informed care, reproductive justice, and migration and health
- Engagement with local undocumented Latinx population in Baltimore
- Post-elective debriefing
- Optional: Programmatic experience (internship)
- Tahirih Justice Center
In addition to this global health elective, other JHU clinical and research international opportunities can be found at the Center for Global Health.
Elective Objectives
The goal of the Global Health Leadership Program is to train future global health leaders by providing training of the highest degree in a collaborative, interprofessional learning environment. During this course, students will:
- Expand and demonstrate leadership skills
- Understand the impact of social, cultural, political, and economic factors on health care outcomes, access, and delivery
- Develop and demonstrate interprofessional competencies
- Apply research and problem solving skills to complete a scholarly project based on experiences at the international clinical site (GHLP-International)
- Expand clinical skills and medical knowledge specific to a global health context (GHLP-International)
- Formulate effective advocacy strategies and skills by participating in outreach efforts to the undocumented Latinx community in Baltimore through partnership with Centro SOL, the center for Salud/Health and Opportunities for Latinos at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (GHLP-Migrant Health and Human Rights)
- Develop skills in forensic physical and psychological evaluation of asylum seekers through completing training, participating in evaluations, and drafting expert affidavits in partnership with legal advocates (GHLP-Migrant Health and Human Rights)
Program Directors
Time Commitment and Availability
Students must commit at least three to four weeks, including travel time (if applicable), to this elective. The course is currently available year-round, as well as during the summer period.
Elective Prerequisites
GHLP-International
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine students interested in this elective must be in good standing and have completed the core clerkship in Internal Medicine, as well as either a core clerkship in General Surgery, Women’s Health (OBGYN), OR Emergency Medicine.
School of Nursing and School of Public Health students interested in this elective must be in good standing. Students being considered for the course will require individual permission from the dean’s office at the respective schools prior to participation.
GHLP-Migrant Health and Human Rights
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine students interested in this elective must be in good standing and have completed the Transitions to the Wards curriculum.
As this elective is newly established during the 2020-2021 academic year, enrollment is currently limited to School of Medicine students. Updates will be added as opportunity to participate is developed for School of Nursing and School of Public Health students.
How to Apply
There will be two application cycles with two application deadlines:
- Fall deadline for the January to May rotations
- Spring deadline for the June to December rotations
The exact dates of the application deadlines will be advertised and communicated via internal email listserv and social media channels approximately one month before the deadline.