Our department is committed to preparing future clinicians who are not only skilled in in-patient care, but also culturally responsive, adaptable, and globally minded. Through a range of international experiences, students engage with diverse healthcare systems, expand their clinical perspective, and serve communities in meaningful and sustainable ways.
The Netherlands & Germany: Innovation in Global Healthcare Systems
In the Netherlands and Germany, students are exposed to healthcare systems that emphasize efficiency, accessibility, and patient-centered care.
Participants observe how care is coordinated across primary and specialty settings, with a strong focus on prevention, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health system integration. Students also gain insight into how different countries approach healthcare financing, delivery, and population health.
This experience encourages critical comparison with the U.S. healthcare system while broadening students’ understanding of global best practices.
Belize: Community-Focused Care with Hands-On Clinical Experience at Hillside Health Care International
In Belize, students complete a clinical experience at Hillside Health Care International, where they are actively engaged in direct patient care within a resource-limited setting.
Clinical students are expected to apply their knowledge and prior training by evaluating patients, performing histories and physical exams, and developing appropriate assessment and treatment plans. Students present each case to a licensed preceptor, who provides supervision and guidance to ensure high-quality patient care.
Students are encouraged to develop differential diagnoses and management plans while gaining experience documenting patient encounters using a SOAP note format.
When appropriate, students may also assist with or perform basic procedures such as suturing, pelvic exams, and incision and drainage. The clinical experience exposes students to a wide range of conditions, including common presentations such as asthma, upper respiratory infections, skin infections, abdominal pain, diabetes, and hypertension, as well as less commonly encountered conditions such as dengue fever, leishmaniasis, scorpion bites, and traumatic injuries.
This immersive experience challenges students to think critically, adapt to limited resources, and deepen their clinical confidence while providing meaningful care to underserved populations.
Shoulder to Shoulder Global: A University of Kentucky Partnership
Through our partnership with Shoulder to Shoulder Global, in collaboration with the University of Kentuck International Center, students participate in a longitudinal, service-driven model of global health engagement. It carries out initiatives in the area of primary healthcare, promotes access to healthcare, and supports volunteer work.
Students have the opportunity to participate during the didactic year over spring break, traveling to Tena, Ecuador and outside of Nairobi, Kenya and in their clinical year to Santo Domingo, Ecuador to work alongside local healthcare teams. Clinical experiences take place in community settings as well as in hospital environments, allowing students to contribute to ongoing efforts that improve access to care and community health.
This partnership emphasizes sustainability, ethical engagement, and mutual respect, ensuring that student involvement supports community-led initiatives rather than short-term intervention. Participants engage in a variety of cultural and service-learning opportunities while providing services such as basic medical and dental care, health education, school health screenings, women’s health, home visits, and community-based learning.
Preparing Globally Minded Clinicians
These international opportunities are more than travel experiences; they are integral to developing clinicians who are thoughtful, adaptable, and equipped to care for diverse populations in any setting. By engaging with different healthcare systems and communities, our students graduate with a broader perspective, stronger clinical judgment, and a deeper commitment to compassionate, equitable care.