Medical School for International Health

The Medical School for International Health is a collaboration between Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Faculty of Health Sciences and Columbia University Medical Center to graduate doctors with special skills in primary care and community, preventive, and population-based medicine. Established in 1996, the unique medical school prepares physicians to work with diverse populations throughout the globe, and enrolls more than 120 students from around the world.

Graduates of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Medical School for International Health in collaboration with Columbia University Medical Center (BGU-CU MSIH) have the skills to treat individuals, promote health and prevent diseases in global populations. Three years are spent in Israel at Ben-Gurion's Be'er Sheva campus. During the fourth year, students take clinical electives at Columbia University Medical Center and a required international health clinical elective at an approved site in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Peru, Vietnam, or Nepal.



This unique program is geared to students of all nationalities who seek a Doctor of Medicine degree with special skills in cross-cultural, community, and preventive medicine. The program concentrates on the cultural, environmental, economic, and political factors that affect the health of individuals and diverse populations around the world.

In addition to its four-year American-style curriculum, the BGU-CU MSIH integrates subjects such as infectious diseases, nutrition and disease prevention, humanitarian emergencies, cross-cultural competencies, and community health. Students receive the training essential to practice medicine in varied cultural settings and clinical conditions; skills that will help them pursue careers in the emerging fields of global health and population-based medicine.

The students graduate with an accredited degree from BGU and must take the United States Medical Licensure Examination.

The BGU-CU MSIH is accredited by the Israeli Council of Higher Education. The M.D.degree is awarded by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and is an Israeli medical degree.

Affiliations

 * Soroka University Medical Center
 * New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center 
 * Barzilai Medical Center
 * S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health and Nutrition
 * Shaare Zedek Medical Center
 * World Health Organization (WHO)
 * World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists

The BGU-CU MSIH is also member of:


 * Association of Israeli Medical Schools
 * American Medical Student Association
 * Global Health Council
 * Global Health Medical Education Consortium