Global Health Opportunties

Duke Pathology residents can pursue global health training in the Department of Pathology at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) through two distinct opportunities offered by the Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health: the Global Health Pathway (GHP) and the Global Health Elective Rotation. The GHP provides sustained preparation for residents pursuing careers in global health, while the elective offers a shorter global clinical experience. 

The Global Health Pathway (GHP) administered by the Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health combines mentored research, individualized career development, global clinical experience, and opportunities for advanced didactic training through the Duke Global Health Institute. A distinctive feature of the GHP is that it brings together Duke Pathology residents with residents and fellows from across Duke Health who share an interest in global health. This multidisciplinary community fosters shared learning, mentorship, and collaboration across specialties.

Global Health Residents develop core global health competencies through training tailored to their interests, experience, and long-term career goals. The traditional GHP provides an immersive research and training experience and extends residency by 12 months, contingent upon available funding. Residents complete nine months of coursework leading to a Master of Science in Global Health (MS-GH) while continuing their Pathology training. MS-GH fieldwork and thesis requirements are completed during PGY4. 

In selected circumstances, an individualized longitudinal option may allow a resident to incorporate elements of GHP training within the standard four-year residency. The structure of this option depends on the resident’s goals and the availability of appropriate mentorship, funding, and program resources. GHP field experiences take place at KCMC within established Duke global health partnerships including the KCMC Pathology Residency, allowing residents to contribute to ongoing research, clinical, and educational collaborations, depend on resident interests, faculty mentorship, and partnership priorities.

Pathology residents interested in the GHP are encouraged to contact program leadership during PGY1 to discuss their career goals, potential mentors, and available opportunities. Residents may apply to the traditional GHP after successfully completing PGY1 and receiving approval from the Pathology Residency Program Director. Selection depends on applicant qualifications, available placements, and funding. Preference is given to residents who demonstrate a sustained commitment to addressing health disparities and an intention to pursue a career in global health. For current application dates, instructions, and trainee profiles, visit the Hubert-Yeargan Center’s Global Health Pathway website.

Separate from the Global Health Pathway, Pathology residents may apply to participate in a global health clinical elective. This opportunity includes 4-weeks of clinical elective at the KCMC Department of Pathology. Additionally, the resident will participate in a longitudinal curriculum including lecture series and debriefing sessions throughout the academic year, together with GME trainees from other Duke residency programs. The curriculum focuses on foundations of global health, health equity, ethics, and health care delivery across diverse settings.

In partnership with the Hubert Yeargan Center for Global Health (HYC) at Duke, these global health elective rotations have a long history of providing valuable clinical experiences for our residents to engage in meaningful global health electives that foster deep professional and personal growth in residency. Read more about HYC and the health clinical electives program.