Advanced preparation is necessary for international rotations. Sites have limited availability for international residents and there is a variety of paperwork required prior to leaving for UVA, the GME, and your department. Find helpful information below as you begin your planning.
Your Residency Program
Your Residency Program
1. Pick a rotation block at least 6 months in the future to travel.
2. Contact the Global Health Leadership Director for your department and the GHLT contact if you are interested in one of the GHLT International Clinical Sites
3. Request approval from your residency program director and scheduling chiefs
4. Most residency programs have a Program Administrator who will help you with submitting forms and logistics. Your Global Health Leadership Director can give you their contact information.
5. Alert your outpatient clinic as soon as possible to make sure you have no patients scheduled that month.
6. Find coverage for your EPIC inbox while you’re away.
7. Email your program administrator the following information prior to departure:
Contact information for you in-country
Your emergency contact information
Copy of your itinerary
Copy of your passport
Global Health Leadership Directors
Anesthesia: Marcel Durieux
Emergency Medicine: Nathan Charlton
Family Medicine: Fern Hauck
General Surgery: Rudolph Rustin
Internal Medicine: Julia den Hartog
Pediatrics: Amy Brown
Psychiatry: R. Larry Merkel
Radiology: Jennifer Pierce
GMEC Requirements
Residents must apply for international rotations through the GMEC. Each application will be reviewed and presented before the full GMEC for approval. Applications for international rotations must be submitted at least 60 days prior to travel to ensure proper evaluation and approval. The GMEC reserves the right to suspend any international experiences where the site has been deemed unsafe for travel by the International Studies Office and/or the U.S. Department of States.
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Complete a GMEC away rotation application. The forms are available HERE
- Complete “Form B” if this is a previously approved site through the GHLT. Your Global Health Leadership Director will have this information
- Complete “Form C” if this is a new site or rotation. A CV of the supervising physician at the foreign institution is required for clinical electives
- Submit the form to your program administrator for your program director’s approval.
- Each application will be reviewed and presented before the full GMEC for approval. The GMEC approval of international rotations will be based on the merit of the rotation, a named supervisor of the rotation, approval by the Trainee’s department and Program Director, compliance with State Department and CDC regulations and warnings, and University policy related to those regulations.
- After GMEC approval, there are multiple steps to complete including the International Studies Office (ISO) registration, State Department’s Smart Traveler Program, and purchasing emergency travel insurance coverage. Follow instructions on the International Rotation Checklist provided by GME office.
Final Details
- Make sure you have a passport that is up-to-date. Passports in general must be valid for >6 months at the time of travel in order to be used. Make photocopies of your passport to bring with you in case of loss or theft.
- Certain countries require a visa. This is listed under each site location, but can change. Visit Travel.state.gov for the most current information on visa requirements.Advanced preparation is necessary for international rotations. Sites have limited availability for international residents and there is unfortunately a variety of paperwork required prior to leaving for UVA, the GME and your department.
- Scholarships are available to residents to cover some travel expenses through the Dean's Global Graduate Medical Award