Ben-Gurion University’s Medical School for International Health (MSIH) is an innovative, four-year, North American–style medical school that prepares physicians to address the impact of cultural, economic, political and environmental factors on the health of individuals and populations worldwide. The MSIH is an English-language track at BGU’s Faculty of Health Sciences located on the beautiful Ben-Gurion University campus in Beer Sheva, Israel. Students are prepared to take the USMLE Steps 1 and 2 and complete residencies at prestigious institutions in the United States and Canada. Students complete their first three years of instruction in Beer Sheva. Fourth-year electives take place at Columbia University Medical Center, its affiliated hospitals, the University of Pennsylvania and other locations in North America. This is followed by an eight-week global health clerkship in a resource-poor setting at approved sites throughout the world.

The MSIH curriculum integrates global-health coursework into all four years of study. It is designed to prepare physicians to address the complexity of health concerns of populations throughout the world and prepares them to practice medicine across cultural, geographic and technological boundaries. In today’s changing world, these skills are needed whether one practices medicine in busy metropolitan areas or remote rural ones.

During the third year, students complete clerkships at Soroka University Medical Center, which is located on campus. Soroka is the largest medical center in the southern region of the country and the second largest in Israel with approximately 1,000 beds. The Medical Center has received the accreditation of the prestigious Joint Commission International. Soroka hosts the largest trauma center in the country with eight treatment stations, including a special one for children. The delivery room is the most “fertile” in the country, with approximately 14,000 births per year.

Upon successful completion of the program, MSIH confers a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. MSIH alumni then go on to successfully complete residencies in the U.S., Canada, Israel and Europe. The class of 2016 celebrated a 95% match rate in the U.S.

Tuesday evening, September 20, MSIH will be hosting an information session for prospective students at their NY Admissions Office, 601 West 168th Street, so students can learn more about the program and the application process. Prior registration is required by going to http://www.eventbrite.com/e/medical-school-for-international-health-information-session-and-open-house-tickets-27055060414.

For further information about the event, the program or the application process, contact Kelly Coleman, MSIH Recruitment Coordinator at [email protected] or Beth Chesir, MSIH Admissions Coordinator at [email protected].

Beth A. Chesir is the Admissions Coordinator at Ben-Gurion University’s Medical School for International Healh and a Teaneck resident.