Global Health Initiative
The Global Health Initiative (GHI) was founded in 2000 by Boonshoft School of Medicine first-year students. GHI's mission is to enhance the education of WSU medical students by facilitating their exposure to both the medical issues facing people in other countries and those of people in this country who have emigrated from other countries, and in so doing, inspire greater compassion, social justice and empathy within WSU's future physicians.
GHI is the student-run organization that is working to complement the already present Global Health Scholars Program track. for those interested in completing rotations in developing countries. 
Both components serve to enhance medical student education and broaden the student’s approach to medicine. The members of GHI understand that medicine and Public Health have transitioned from being widely separate entities of global and local health to a linked approach termed 'glocal' health. Glocal health builds upon the understanding that global is local when it comes to population health due to increasing globalization, immigration, education and free trade/capital mobility. It brings a global perspective to how social determinants of health affect local communities at home and abroad.
Objectives
- To facilitate medical students and physicians sharing global medical experiences through activities such as presentations and gatherings.
- To facilitate medical students traveling to other countries for medical electives by providing information, including contacts with physicians, medical mission organizations and financial resources.
- To provide educational opportunities for WSU medical students through an elective lecture series on global health-related topics.
International Medical Service Trips
Since 2007, GHI has helped to send students to more than 14 countries. Students can seek medical supplies to take with them on their respective trips to help the people of the country that is being visited. Each trip provides students with a unique view into medicine in various parts of the world today. Find examples of recent medical service trips on the GHI Travel Opportunities page.
Financing Trips
Most students fund their trips with allocated loan money or by raising money from home, church or other contacts. However, there are other possibilities. GHI is currently in the process of gathering various other methods for students to fund these trips.
Financial aid for international travel is available for students who are enrolled in the Global Health Scholars Program (GHSP) Track. GHSP participants may request a budget increase for travel costs, up to a maximum of $3,000 during their medical school career. Visit the Global Health Scholars Program web page or contact the Office of Student Affairs for information about the program.
GHI Board Members
- View the list of Board members: https://wright.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/global-health-initiative
