Global health

Residents see on average 25-30 pediatric inpatients with peaks of up to 70-100 pediatric inpatients during the height of malaria season (May-July). Previous residents traveled to Bukoba, Tanzania.

More recently, Advocate developed a global health program in conjunction with the Institute for Latina American Concern (ILAC) program. We are very excited for this new partnership and hope the further trips are in the pipeline!

We also have residents participate in a medical trip to Puerto Barrios in Guatemala every year. In a weeklong trip, every day they travel to new sites with their base being on the Caribbean itself. They travel to a river town to see patients in the local school. Residents take a boat to a coastal town on the Caribbean and bus into the rainforest to see patients. The residents see over 50 patients a day and are often exhausted, but rewarded, by the end of their trip. Our residents learn how to provide primary care to rural indigenous persons and see firsthand the differences in health care in third world countries.

Resources are limited in third world countries allowing residents to strengthen their history and physical exam diagnostic skills in addition to gaining tremendous experience in global health advocacy and professional development on their trips.