Global Health Overview 

As an unopposed program that provides care to a rural, underserved population in Louisiana, we believe that a focus on health equity in the care we provide is critical. Through global and rural health experiences both at home and abroad, our residents enhance their skill sets and education surrounding care of vulnerable populations, social determinants of health, and their impact on health outcomes for those most in need.

“Becoming uncomfortable with the tolerance of global inequity may drive us to take
decisive action to build bridges, form community, and provide social and medical
support.” - Kyle Mistretta, MS3

Global Health Opportunities 

Global Health electives, as with domestic electives, are available to any interested resident with appropriate elective time in their schedule.

Electives by Country 

PERU :

Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco

In partnership with Reach. Teach. Heal. Peru as well as the local Peruvian physicians, participants spend two weeks in the rural Cusco region of Peru providing acute care to the local and indigenous population in pop up clinics and through home
visits. Through this twice annual trip as well as a well established method for local referrals, the group of LSU faculty and students provide consistent support in these long term relationships.

REACH TEACH HEAL PERU

Reach Teach Heal, formerly known as Healing Peru, was established in 2007 by former LSU faculty Dr. Nicholas Seeliger and Kristy Seeliger.  After visiting the beautiful village of Kristy's grandmother, Andajuaylillas, they felt called to dedicate themselves to improve the quality of life of the families living in this inspiring Andean village. With the help of many their dream remains alive. 

 

Through the collaborative efforts of the Peruvian based non-profit organization The Q'ewar Project, The Cusco Region Ministry of Health, The Jesuit Volunteer Corps, The Eglin Air Force Base Family Medicine Residency Program, the Tulane University School of Medicine, and now the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans - Reach Teach Heal continues to grow and expand its reach to help those who are most in need.

“When thinking about global health initiatives, our intentions, while well formed, may not be most practical,

relevant, or culturally appropriate. RTH is unique. Through partnerships with local health agencies, we were

able to integrate our supplies and staff into some of the gaps in the local health care services.”

- Kyle Mistretta, MS3

CHILE :Especialidad Médica en Medicina Familiar

Participants spend two weeks working with local Family Medicine faculty and residents based out of Valparaiso, Chile. They rotate through various sites in the city and in more rural surrounding regions, and they also participate in educational didactics with the Department of Family Medicine. This journey also features Spanish immersion not only through professional interactions but also in staying with a host family from the local program.

HONDURAS:

Healing Hands Global, Incorporated

This rotation continues to evolve and will be updated shortly. A graduate of the Bogalusa Family Medicine Residency Program has been stationed in Honduras full time and looks forward to hosting participants in rural Honduras.

 

 

Longitudinal Track

The Global Health Track is a longitudinal program for residents passionate about care of vulnerable populations. The track utilizes a mixture of didactic, hands-on, international, and local formative learning opportunities for residents interested in pursuing global
health throughout their career. The track aims to support the development of Family Physicians who are equipped with clinical experience and systems understanding in order to provide quality, comprehensive, and compassionate care to underserved
populations in all settings, both at home and abroad.

By graduation, Global Health Track participants will have completed:

- Related research poster/presentation
- 4-6 weeks international experience
- 2 completed projects on health systems and/or health equity to teach co-residents
- 1 or more Global Health Journal Clubs
- Attend/teach related lectures with undergraduate medical students and co-residents

“The mutual gratitude from our team with these communities help move us from
tolerance, to action and hope.” - Kyle Mistretta, MS3                                                                                                                                                                      

Glocal Health

MOBILE CLINIC: Our Lady of the Angels partners with LSU’s Rural Family Medicine Residency as well as various community stakeholders to host the mobile clinic bus in vulnerable areas of Bogalusa and the surrounding regions. In this way, the resident team is able to reach patients who have limited access to the clinic.

“While the existing infrastructure of local resources may affect our plan, our approach to love, listen, and

act is the same.” - Kyle Mistretta, MS3

RURAL  HEALTH:  Situated in the heart of Bogalusa, the residency program provides care to a rural population with multiple barriers to health care. Our residents learn to navigate the challenges of providing quality, evidence-based medical attention in balance with each patient’s goals, understandings, and limitations based on social determinants of health. This well rounded training allows our young physicians to become excellent in care of the whole patient in any low resource setting.

“Just as we act to mediate the difficult poverty in rural Peru, so should I be present to
listen, express compassion, and act against the social problems in our local
communities.” - Kyle Mistretta, MS3