What to expect
Authentic community-led healthcare while contributing to measurable, sustainable impact
Program Overview
Omni Med's student programs offer an authentic immersion into global health work in rural Uganda. Unlike traditional medical missions, our approach centers on community empowerment, evidence-based interventions, and collaborative partnerships with the Ugandan Ministry of Health. Students work alongside Village Health Teams (VHTs) in Mukono District, contributing to ongoing research while gaining deep insights into health equity challenges and solutions.
testimonials
"Traveling to Uganda was one of the best decisions I've made since starting medical school, both professionally and personally. I'd never been on a trip like this before but decided to step out of my comfort zone and learned much more than I anticipated about healthcare systems abroad and the programs that are striving to achieve healthcare equity. I'm incredibly grateful to have taken this trip with a group of classmates, many of whom I didn't know beforehand, experiencing the ups and downs of the trip together and forming memories that made it difficult to return home."
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Casey Lanham, GW Medical School
Meeting Your Educational Goals
Omni Med works with students to ensure their experience meets specific academic requirements. Omni Med has an MD, MPH supervisor who meets all medical/ nursing/ public health/ undergraduate requirements for direct supervision & evaluation:
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Supported Academic Programs:
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Medical school electives and global health rotations
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Nursing clinical rotations
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MPH practicum requirements
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Graduate & undergraduate research projects
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Pre-medical observational/ hands-on experience
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Pre-Departure Preparation:
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Comprehensive reading list covering health equity, Uganda national and public health history, and global health research
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Orientation materials specific to Uganda and our program model for cultural preparation and expectation setting
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Safety briefings and health recommendations
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Individual Zoom or phone meetings with Dr O'Neil and Ugandan staff for orientation and individual program design
Academic Deliverables:
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Work summary document for program continuity
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Reflective praxis paper on experience and learning
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Research contributions or independent projects
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Academic credits available through the sending institution; requirements are all met. We have hosted Phd theses, graduate work, practicums, and many other course credits through the decades
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Presentations to home institutions upon return
Beyond Medical Tourism
Omni Med's approach deliberately avoids 'voluntourism' in favor of meaningful cultural exchange and learning:
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Cultural Understanding:
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Live within the community rather than in isolated volunteer housing
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Participate in daily village life and agricultural rhythms
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Learn about pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial African history
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Understand the complex factors contributing to health inequity
Language & Communication:
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English is the official language, but most rural residents only speak Luganda and local languages
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Learn culturally appropriate communication styles
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Understand power dynamics and historical context of foreign involvement
Ethical Considerations:
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Examine the role of NGOs and international volunteers in development
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Understand community empowerment vs. dependency models
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Reflect on personal motivations and impact
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Consider long-term sustainability of interventions
Your Safety is Our Priority
Health Preparations:
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Required vaccinations and health clearances
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Malaria prophylaxis and prevention strategies
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Travel insurance requirements
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Pre-departure medical consultations
Safety Protocols:
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24/7 security at compound with trained guards
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Established transportation protocols with trusted drivers
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Clear guidelines for travel outside the compound
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Emergency communication systems
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Comprehensive safety briefings upon arrival
Risk Management:
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Road travel is the primary safety concern - all travel coordinated through local staff
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Established relationships with local healthcare facilities
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Clear protocols for medical emergencies
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Regular check-ins with program staff
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Personal hygiene and good choices