Global Health

“Global health is an area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide.”

—Koplan JP, et al. Towards a common definition of global health. Lancet. 2009;373(9679):1993-1995

The Global Health program at Mount Carmel Family Medicine Residency was started by Dr. John O’Handley, program director at SAFM, from 1995-2001. His intention in building this program was for residents to experience providing medicine in resource-poor areas and globally navigating the healthcare of the underserved. However, it has grown to include an emphasis on vulnerable populations in Columbus, as well.

Columbus, Ohio, has one of the largest populations nationwide of Bhutanese-Nepali and Somali refugees and immigrants. We also serve many other groups here as well. These populations provide challenges and rewards. We are constantly striving to care for their unique needs innovatively and educate our residents on caring for vulnerable populations.

In addition to the Global Health work we perform daily in our Family Medicine Center, medical missions were revitalized in 2022. Since then, our residents and faculty have traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, and Chulucanas, Peru, each year to continue our care for the communities we have formed relationships within these countries.

These 1-2 week medical trips are excellent opportunities for residents to experience new practice environments and cultures; they are available to all family medicine residents.

Please contact Rahim Mangalji, MD, the Global Health Director at St. Ann’s Family Medicine, for further information.