News Summary

Twenty-five University of Minnesota undergrads will embark on a rare learning adventure to Mysore, India from Dec. 26 to Jan. 14, 2011.  During that time, the students will study health care and public health through the lens of a developing urban center.

Quotes

"The students get the perspective that there’s more to medicine than just ‘here, take this medication and go,’” said Shailey Prasad, M.D., M.P.H., a program instructor/seminar co-leader and a founding member of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), a non-governmental organization focusing on grassroots healthcare development in India. “It’s more of an understanding of where patients come from, along with the richness and the challenges of their own cultural practices.”

“It seems like a really valuable opportunity to learn from people who are very engaged on the ground,” said David Droullard, a University senior and biochemistry major. “From what I’ve heard about the organization we’re going to visit, it sounds very grassroots driven and very successful.”

“I hope the seminar brings a greater awareness of being a global citizen,” said Tricia Todd, M.P.H., assistant program director of the Health Careers Center and the global seminar’s co-leader.  “It’s not as important for them to understand how medicine or public health is practiced differently as it is for them to understand that the context changes around the world.”

Full Text

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (December 12, 2011) – Twenty-five University of Minnesota undergrads will embark on a rare learning adventure to Mysore, India from Dec. 26 to Jan. 14, 2011.  During that time, the students will study health care and public health through the lens of a developing urban center.

The first-ever trip is part of the Health Career Center’s Global Seminar for the Future Physician series, a study abroad program emphasizing healthcare in a global context. 

According to University of Minnesota Physician primary care specialist Shailey Prasad, M.D., M.P.H., a program instructor and seminar co-leader, participants get an instructor with unique ties to the region they’re in.  The seminar includes field visits to rural development projects, tribal areas and ancient temples.

“The students get the perspective that there’s more to medicine than just ‘here, take this medication and go,’” said Prasad, a founding member of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), a non-governmental organization focusing on grassroots healthcare development in India. “It’s more of an understanding of where patients come from, along with the richness and the challenges of their own cultural practices.”

The SVYM will join the Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies (VIIS) in housing and supporting the U of M undergrads during their visit.

While health care in India is universal, it’s not easily available.  Hurdles such as population size and significant pockets of poverty often intersect to create complicated dynamics for the country’s citizens.  In addition, concerns such as obesity and pollution-related illnesses have started to impact the country as it becomes more developed.  Program leaders view being mindful of social determinates such as money and natural resources as key to delivering the best possible health care.

David Droullard, a University senior and biochemistry major, has spent time in Pakistan watching his father spearhead community health efforts. Witnessing the challenges and rewards of practicing medicine in a resource-poor setting drew him to the seminar.

“It seems like a really valuable opportunity to learn from people who are very engaged on the ground,” Droullard said. “From what I’ve heard about the organization we’re going to visit, it sounds very grassroots driven and very successful.”

“I hope the seminar brings a greater awareness of being a global citizen,” said Tricia Todd, M.P.H., assistant program director of the Health Careers Center and the global seminar’s co-leader.  “It’s not as important for them to understand how medicine or public health is practiced differently as it is for them to understand that the context changes around the world.”