Exchange Institution: Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo

Description: The Faculty of Medicine at the University of São Paulo (FMUSP), a premier institution renowned for its excellence in medical education and research. Located in São Paulo, Brazil’s vibrant cultural and economic hub, FMUSP offers a dynamic environment for medical students eager to experience a rich and diverse academic setting. With state-of-the-art facilities, a comprehensive curriculum, and a commitment to innovative research, FMUSP provides an unparalleled opportunity for exchange students to engage with leading experts, collaborate on groundbreaking projects, and immerse themselves in a global healthcare perspective.

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 2 students per year
• Travel Funding: $500 or up to $1,000
• Housing: Provided
• Board: Not Provided

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Hugo Yamada, Clinical Instructor in Medical Science, yamada@breakwaterpcri.org

Exchange Institution: Zhejiang University School of Medicine

Description: Zhejiang University is huge, spanning multiple campuses located mostly north of West Lake. The medical school sits on a new campus and boasts modern facilities and technology, as well as a very interesting medical museum. This hospital is a regional leader in medical care. Patients from rural areas and even from different provinces will make the journey to see highly skilled and competent physicians. WAMS students have done radiology, anesthesia, surgery, and pediatrics, so far.

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 2 students per year
• Travel Funding: Provided
• Housing: Provided
• Board: Provided

Other resources: Guide written by previous students

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Jie Tang, Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery, jie_tang@brown.edu

Exchange Institution: Hospitál Regional Universitario José María Cabral y Báez

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 4 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Provided
• Board: Not Provided
• Language Requirement: Advanced Spanish

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Martha Sanchez, Assistant Professor of Medicine, martha.sanchez@lifespan.org

*Students interested in DR exchange please contact Dr. Sanchez and copy david_arango@brown.edu.

Additional information:

In 2004, the Brown Department of Medicine entered into an educational exchange agreement with the Department of Internal Medicine at Cabral y Baez hospital in Santiago, Dominican Republic. In choosing Cabral y Baez as an educational exchange site, the Department considered the relevance of an experience in the Dominican Republic to our patient population in Providence, the relative ease of travel to Santiago, and the desire of many Brown internal medicine residents and medical students to gain international experience in a Spanish-speaking country. At Cabral, we found internal medicine colleagues eager to partner with us in a mutually-beneficial partnership and bilateral educational exchange program.

Hospitál Regional Universitario José María Cabral y Báez (HRUJMCB) is a public regional hospital in Santiago de los Caballeros serving as the main tertiary care center for the northern half of the Dominican Republic.  It is also the main teaching hospital for the three medical schools located in Santiago.

Annually, residents from Cabral y Baez also rotate through the Brown Hospitals in Rhode Island. One of the responsibilities of medical students and residents selected to participate in the exchange is to assist Cabral residents that visit Brown in April and May. 

Goals for Medical Students and Residents

1. Understand the clinical presentation and management of common serious illnesses in the Dominican Republic, including dengue, leptospirosis, malaria, organophosphate poisoning, tuberculosis, and HIV infection
2. Understand the structure of the Dominican healthcare system, the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the Dominican Republic and the ways in which they differ from morbidity and mortality in the United States
3. Understand the structure of medical education in the Dominican Republic
4. Develop skill in the cost-effective evaluation of illness in a resource-scarce environment
5. Develop skill in working within the medical education system at Cabral y Baez
6. Increase understanding of Dominican culture
7. Develop increased competence in Spanish language

Curriculum

All students will spend at least two weeks on the Internal Medicine Wards at Cabral y Baez. Additionally, students can customize their experience per their preferences by choosing to spend time on the following services: HIV clinic, Emergency Department, night float shift, ICU, and Subspecialty departments such as Hematology/Oncology, Neurology, and Cardiology, and resident outpatient clinics.

Traditionally, students are paired with PGY2s at Cabral who are proficient in English in order to help the Brown trainees through the week long rotations. Usually, these PGY2s are also interested in participating in the exchange at RIH in April and May.

TYPICAL DAY ON THE GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE FLOORS AT CABRAL Y BAEZ HOSPITAL

1. Sign-Out: Known as "la entrega de la guardia", the PGY1s that were on for night float ("en servicio") give sign out on all admitted patients to the day teams and overnight updates on any patients previously on the wards.

2. Morning Report led by Residents/Grand Rounds given by Attendings: Sign out is followed by a lecture given by a senior resident on a particular topic or case. These lectures provide good exposure to medical Spanish in a controlled setting with PowerPoint slides. At the end of each lecture, there is a brief discussion/questions session led by the chief resident.
   
   Weekly Grand Rounds is given by a senior attending. Most often, the attending presents 1-2 interesting cases that are currently or were recently on the wards. The attending presents the initial H+P of the patient along with a differential, diagnosis, and management, followed by an academic conversation involving senior residents and other attending physicians.

3. Rounds with Attending Physician or Resident Teams: Resident teams will round after lecture and formally present new patients and quickly follow up on older patients on their service.

4. Afternoon Lecture: Conferences in the afternoon continue with focused lectures given by a resident or medical student.  

5. Completing any remaining tasks: After AM rounds, the team splits off to write progress notes, work on the sign-out sheet, and complete the necessary tasks on each patient (labs and imaging studies). If there is an interesting case on the service, you can continue to follow the patient after rounds, by reading through their chart, chatting to the patient about their situation, or by assisting the medical students with their tasks. 

6. Brown Rounds: On most days, Brown medical students, residents, and attendings return to the apartment by 2:30pm. Upon return, everyone gathers in the apartment living room to participate in “Brown Rounds.” “Brown Rounds” is a conference to discuss interesting cases observed during the week. Trainees follow-up on a chosen patient from the morning and present their patient as a patient would be presented on rounds at RIH. Attendings and senior residents will then facilitate the discussion of this patient. “Brown Rounds” allows for American attendings and trainees to provide their unique perspective on the case and reflect on differences and similarities in diagnosis, work-up, and treatment between RIH and at Cabral y Baez Hospital.  There are three scheduled group sessions each week:

   • PBL/Journal Club sessions: The discussion is led by the coordinator and attendings. PBLs and journal articles focus on clinical cases that are often seen at Cabral y Baez but rarely seen at RIH, such as dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, etc.

   • Topic presentation: A medical student or resident presents a short prepared health topic pertinent to the region.

   • Cultural/Emotional Debrief: Students, residents, and attendings reflect on their experiences at Cabral y Baez. This session provides an opportunity to discuss adapting to lifestyle and culture in the DR, cultural differences and similarities between care given at Cabral y Baez and RIH, and the emotional impact of the global health experience.  

ADDITIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES THAT BROWN TRAINEES CAN ROTATE ON:

1. Clínica de Enfermedades de Inmunología (HIV clinic), Hospitál Cabral y Baéz: The HIV clinic in Hospitál Cabral y Baéz is run by Dra. Claudia Rodriguez, one of Brown’s main contacts here in the Dominican Republic.  Patients are seen by Pasantes, which are medical trainees doing a mandatory year of service before entering residency.

   • Trainees will have opportunity to practice physical exam as well as history taking in Spanish.
   • Observe and help with clinic visits during regular morning clinic hours.
   • Choose a patient to present later during the day for “Brown Rounds”

2. Emergency Room: If you want to see what happens to people in a country where there are very few enforced traffic laws, stoplights are mere suggestions, and people tear around recklessly on motorbikes without helmets, you can spend an afternoon (or night) with the internal medicine residents in the emergency room.

3. Night float shift

4. ICU

5. Subspecialty departments such as Hematology/Oncology, Neurology, and Cardiology

6. Resident outpatient clinics

1) Exchange Institution: University of Rostock

Description: The University of Rostock is an esteemed institution offering an enriching medical exchange experience. Situated in the scenic city of Rostock, Germany, this faculty is renowned for its modern medical curriculum. The program features hands-on clinical training and interdisciplinary learning. Exchange students will benefit from a supportive academic environment and gain international perspectives through exposure to innovative practices and diverse medical cases. 

Details: 

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 4 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Not Provided but help finding
• Board: Not Provided

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Karen Tashima, Professor of Medicine, karen_tashima@brown.edu

2) Exchange Institution: Faculty of Medicine of the Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen

Description: This Critical Care Course is available to fourth year medical students. The course has a duration of two weeks (Feb/Mar).  After the end of the course interested students could add a clinical elective of variable (max. 6 week) length.  Tuition for participation in the program is waived and includes accommodation, lunch money (10 Euro per Day), a ticket for the local transportation, a number of free time activities, books and certificate.  Food for reasonable prices is available in the cafeteria at the university’s hospitals. Participants will be provided with single rooms in a guest house.  

Course Program

1. Interactive lectures: Course material will be the Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) program of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
2. Rounds in the ICU: Students would participate in teaching rounds in the ICUs which would be focused on issues covered by the actual seminars and lectures.
3. Problem-based learning (POL): During rounds students would formulate questions and problems. Each team consisting of one German and one international student chooses one problem and tries to solve it by internet search and discussions with the ICU staff.
4. Seminars
5. Hand-on training: Students learn and practice invasive techniques such as insertion of central lines, oral intubation or even ultrasound and endoscopy techniques (bronchoscopy, gastroscopy) in the skills lab or experimental OR
6. Clinical elective

Interested students could add a clinical elective of variable length after the end of the course.

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 6 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Provided 
• Board: Provided

Other resources: Student's Guide to Tuebingen put together by Grace Sun, PLME'16.

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Gerardo Carino, Associate Professor of Medicine, GCarino@lifespan.org

Exchange Institution: Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Technology

Description: The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is a premier institution in Ghana offering a unique medical exchange opportunity. Located in the vibrant city of Kumasi, KNUST’s School of Medical Sciences is renowned for its commitment to excellence in medical education and research. The program features a comprehensive curriculum, advanced clinical training, and a focus on public health and community medicine. Exchange students will engage with innovative healthcare practices and gain invaluable insights into global health issues in a supportive and dynamic environment. This is a clinical elective program with an emphasis on infectious diseases. Students will either have a 4-week or 8-week rotation based on availability. Students will be assigned to clinical teams and work with other medical students under the supervision of Attending Physicians. Any interest in clinical research should be indicated before acceptance into this program. Accommodation for students will be at one of the medical students’ hostels, which are within the vicinity of the teaching hospital.

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 2 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Not Provided, but help finding
• Board: Not Provided

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Kwame Dapaah-Afriyie, Professor of Medicine, KDapaahAfriyie@lifespan.org

Exchange Institution: University Notre Dame D’Haiti

Description: University Notre Dame d’Haiti (UNDH) is a distinguished institution offering a unique medical exchange opportunity in Port-au-Prince. The Faculty of Medicine at UNDH is renowned for its commitment to providing quality medical education and addressing the healthcare needs of Haiti. Students participating in this exchange program will benefit from a robust curriculum, hands-on clinical training, and a focus on community health and medical innovation. The university’s emphasis on practical experience and global health perspectives offers an enriching environment for students to expand their medical knowledge and cultural understanding.

Details: 

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 4 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Provided, but with additional fee 
• Board: Provided, but with additional fee

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Michael Koster, Professor of Pediatrics, Michael_Koster@brown.edu

Exchange Institution: Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Description: Discover the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, a world-class institution renowned for its excellence in medical education and research. Located in Haifa, Israel, the Technion’s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine offers a cutting-edge curriculum and advanced clinical training. Exchange students will benefit from the Technion’s vibrant academic environment and its commitment to addressing complex medical challenges. Partner with us to offer students a transformative experience at one of Israel’s leading medical schools. WAMS students do a one-month rotation in one of five hospitals in Haifa. Haifa. The rotations are diverse and flexible.

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 2 students per year
• Travel Funding: Provided
• Housing: Provided
• Board: Provided

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Rami Kantor, Professor of Medicine, RKantor@brown.edu

Exchange Institution: University of Bologna

Description: The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is one of the oldest universities in the world and a prestigious institution in Italy. Renowned for its rich history and academic excellence, it offers a vibrant environment for medical exchange students. The university's Faculty of Medicine and Surgery is recognized for its strong emphasis on clinical practice. Students can benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborations with leading hospitals in the region. Bologna itself is a charming city with a rich cultural heritage, known for its historic architecture, delicious cuisine, and lively student atmosphere. With a diverse international community and numerous extracurricular activities, students at the University of Bologna will find both academic and personal growth opportunities in this welcoming environment. 

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 4 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Not Provided, but help finding
• Board: Not Provided

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Gerardo Carino, Associate Professor of Medicine, GCarino@lifespan.org

Exchange Institutions: Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Kurume University School of Medicine

Description: Explore exceptional medical exchange opportunities at three prestigious Japanese institutions: Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine,and Tokyo Women's Medical University, Kyoto University offers a cutting-edge medical curriculum with a focus on innovative research and interdisciplinary learning, providing students with comprehensive clinical training and exposure to advanced medical practices. At Kurume University, students benefit from a robust curriculum that integrates clinical skills with groundbreaking research in a dynamic academic setting.Tokyo Women's Medical University is renowned for its specialized programs in women's health and clinical excellence, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for hands-on learning. Each institution offers a unique opportunity for students to broaden their medical expertise and gain invaluable international perspectives.

Details for Kyoto University: 

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 3 students per year
• Travel Funding: $800
• Housing: Not Provided, but help finding
• Board: Not Provided

Details for Kurume University:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 2 students per year
• Travel Funding: $800
• Housing: Provided
• Board: Not Provided

Details for Tokyo Women's Medical University: 

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 1 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Not Provided, but help finding
• Board: Not Provided

Other helpful resources: Japan Introduction Guide

Brown Faculty Liaison: 

• Dr. Taro Minami, Associate Professor of Medical Science and Medicine, Taro_Minami@brown.edu
• Dr. Tomo Tarui, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, tomo_tarui@brown.edu

Exchange Institution: Moi University School of Medicine

Description: Explore Moi University School of Medicine, a distinguished institution located in Eldoret, Kenya, offering an enriching medical exchange experience. Renowned for its commitment to high-quality medical education and research, Moi University provides a comprehensive curriculum that integrates clinical training with hands-on practice. Students participating in the exchange program will have the opportunity to engage in innovative research, gain exposure to diverse medical cases, and contribute to community health initiatives. With its focus on practical experience and global health perspectives, Moi University offers a dynamic and supportive environment for students to enhance their medical knowledge and cultural awareness.

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 2 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Not Provided, but help finding
• Board: Not Provided

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Debasree Banerjee, Associate Professor of Medicine, banerjed19@gmail.com

*Students interested must attend an information session to be considered for the site selection. Please contact david_arango@brown.edu for more information about the session.

Exchange Institution: Aga Khan University

Description: Aga Khan University (AKU) is a distinguished institution renowned for its excellence in medical education and research. Located in Karachi, Pakistan, AKU offers a dynamic and innovative learning environment that combines cutting-edge medical training with a strong commitment to community health. Students at AKU benefit from exposure to diverse clinical settings and a rich cultural experience, making it an ideal destination for medical exchange programs seeking to broaden horizons and deepen clinical expertise.

Clinical electives in Internal medicine, Pediatrics, Medical Genetics, Oncology, and some surgical subspecialties; research-based electives in Pediatrics. Elective students will get an opportunity to participate in patient and ambulatory clinical areas.

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 2 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Not Provided
• Board: Not Provided

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Afreen Siddiqui, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, afreen.siddiqui@va.gov

Additional information:

Aga Khan University (AKU) and Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School have forged a strategic partnership through a Medical Student Exchange Agreement, effective from July 31, 2024, to August 1, 2027. This collaboration aims to elevate academic standards and enhance medical education through a robust exchange of students, faculty, and researchers.

The partnership will see a dynamic interchange of medical students annually, with Brown University final year undergraduate medical students experiencing clinical electives at AKU and vice versa, for a period of four weeks. This exchange is designed to broaden their clinical perspectives within a global context, without charging any tuition fee.

Beyond student exchanges, the agreement underscores a strategic initiative to foster faculty collaborations and joint research projects, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing global health education. This alliance highlights the dedication of both institutions to creating a diverse and interconnected academic ecosystem, driving innovation and excellence in medical education.

Eligibility: Only for fifth year MBBS students from AKU; and senior PLME and 4^th year medical students from Brown in good academic standing

Domain: Clinical electives in Internal medicine, Pediatrics, Medical Genetics, Oncology, and some surgical sub-specialties; research-based electives in Pediatrics. Elective students will get an opportunity to participate in patient and ambulatory clinical areas.

Tuition fee: waived for the elective period 

Other expenses: to be borne by the students (travel, insurance, accommodation, living expenses etc.)

Exclusions: Community outreach is currently not included as part of the elective rotation

Joint Initiatives: Opportunity to develop inter-institutional global research based collaborations

Exchange Institution: Ewha Women's University

Description: Discover Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea, a prestigious institution offering a remarkable medical exchange opportunity. The Ewha Womans University College of Medicine is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge research, and commitment to advancing healthcare. Exchange students will experience a comprehensive medical curriculum, hands-on clinical training, and opportunities to engage in innovative research projects. With a focus on integrating global health perspectives and a supportive learning environment, Ewha provides an exceptional setting for students to expand their medical knowledge and cultural understanding.

Details: 

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 2 students per year
• Travel Funding: Not Provided
• Housing: Provided
• Board: Not Provided

Other resources: EWHA Student Manual (prepared by an AMS student)

Brown Faculty Liaison: Dr. Susan Cu-Uvin, Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor of Medicine, susan_uvin@brown.edu

Exchange Institution: National Cheng Kung University School of Medicine

Description: Explore the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) School of Medicine, a leading institution in Taiwan offering an exceptional medical exchange experience. Located in Tainan, NCKU School of Medicine is known for its comprehensive medical education, innovative research, and dedication to clinical excellence. Students in the exchange program will benefit from a rigorous curriculum, hands-on clinical training, and opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research. The school’s focus on integrating modern medical practices with global health perspectives provides a rich, supportive environment for academic and professional growth.

Details:

• Duration: 4 weeks elective 
• No. of students: 4 students per year
• Travel Funding: $1,250
• Housing: Provided
• Board: Not Provided

Brown Faculty Liaison:

• Dr. James Sung, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, C_Sung@brown.edu
• Dr. Ann Tseng, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, YaTseng@KentRI.org