DEC-A-4
A GW MD/MPH STUDENT FRESHMAN INTERSTED IN GHANA
From: Glenn Geelhoed
To: "mdcarter@gwu.edu".IA4GW.Harper
Date: 12/4/01 12:16PM
Subject: Re: international medical experience
I would hardly be the one to discourage you from pursuing both MD and MPH, of course, nor likely the one to keep you from following your dreams of working abroad!
But, now I understand further affinities‑‑I know a few things about Michigan (having been born and raised there) and also had the opportunity at one time to chair the Department of Surgery at (I forget, some other green‑type University in Michigan) in Lansing. That would be hard to do for someone with true‑blue roots!
Yes, I would be interested in talking further about Ghana. I know you have your summer break un‑broken, but we can work into a project that will need some field work in your senior year. You may start thinking of that as you go along, and perhaps we can seed a few of those thoughts forward. It will not be as cumbersome as it was when I did it at precisely the same age and stage that you are making plans, since I used a typewriter, hand‑written letters and (do you remember?) carbon paper‑‑‑still "tools of the trade in many areas where I have worked recently. But, a few email addresses and fax machines are scattered around strategically to make it easier for you.
Another suggestion I might make is to take a drive (or hop out of the UDC Metro station) along International Drive and visit the new and imposing Ghanaian Embassy, where regular programs are held and speakers come and go, which might give you some contacts for future use along the Gold Coast and the residuals of the Kingdom of the Accra.
Keep the wheels spinning and we will weave something out of it before you walk away with both degrees!
GWG
>>> mdcarter <mdcarter@gwu.edu> 12/03/01 10:37PM >>>
Dr. Geelhoed,
My name is Maia Carter. I am a first year dual degree student(MD/MPH)here at George Washington. Thank you for sharing your experiences and excitement for international medicine the other day. I am extremely interested in traveling abroad at some point in my medical education. This summer I will be taking mph courses. However, I was thinking perhaps doing a rotation my 3rd or 4th year abroad. I briefly spoke with you after your presentation. I am currently examining my schedule to see what could possibly work and how to go about funding this trip.
I have a strong public health interest in addition to medicine. I am interested in working with underserved populations and learning more about all of the various factors psychosocial and medical issues that may be affecting a patient's health. I am also interested in third world countries and see myself having an impactin this area in some component of my future career.
I recently (during my year out of college) had the privilege of going on a medical mission with the city of Lansing, Michigan to Akuapem, South District Ghana, West Africa. The city of Lansing and Akuapem are sister cities. During my visit I learned about things such as burili ulcer, access to health care issues, herbal mediciine and politics. Traveling to the local hospitals and clinics in addition to the schools was truly amazing.
I was wondering if it would be possible to get suggestions from you as to how to go about my trip or perhaps set an appointment with you to talk some more. I am interested in HIV/AIDS and am interested in traveling to South Africa, perhaps back to Ghana, or South America.
I greatly appreciate your time and energy, Maia Carter (first year MD/MPH (COPC track))