Making an Impact in Global Health: Surgery, Innovation, and Business

Currently, 5 billion people around the world have no access to safe surgery. As a result, countless people in lower and middle income countries suffer unnecessarily from disability and disfigurement. In addition, the lack of anesthesia, medications, and health facilities in these countries leads to much more human suffering that could be addressed with safe and affordable surgery. In this seminar class, students will learn about the global need for medical care and surgery, as well as possible career opportunities in global health. The class format will be lecture-based, with ample time for discussion. Lectures on global surgery, global infectious disease, and careers in academics, government, and non-profit organizations will be presented. Guest lecturers will include experts in surgery, public health, venture capital, education, and business - both non-profit and for profit. Importantly, skills will be taught that will empower the student to be effective agents of change in this arena. These specific skills will include speaking in public, creating a business plan, and making a pitch to funders. Beyond the classroom, there will be optional opportunities to shadow doctors in the operating room. The final project will consist of researching a global health need, developing a sustainable project, and making an argument and business case for funding. As a result of this course, it is hoped that the students will understand there are many career paths that can be taken to have a meaningful career in Global Health.