Visiting students from Makerere University at Mercy Hospital with Sondra and Francine from the Department of Global Health

The Department of Global Health has exchange agreements with Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) in Lima, Peru; Juan N. Corpas University in Bogota, Colombia; and Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Every year, DMU students complete international rotations in Peru, Colombia and Uganda and medical students from UPC, Juan Corpas and Makerere come to Des Moines to complete observerships at healthcare institutions in the area. In 2019, visiting students completed observerships at Mercy Medical Center in Psychiatry, Family Medicine and Surgery and at the DMU Clinic.

DMU staff and visiting students from UPC and Makerere University during a bike ride on the High Trestle Trail

In addition to learning about medicine, our visiting students have opportunities to explore Iowa and get connected to the Des Moines community. The Department of Global Health organizes activities such as a picnic, a bike ride on the High Trestle Trail, a visit to a farm, and an Iowa Cubs game so that the visiting students can meet DMU students and participate in local activities.

DMU students and visiting students from UPC enjoy an Iowa Cubs game together

The Department of Global Health also periodically hosts visiting research scholars who come to DMU to work on a project with a faculty member.

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