Global Health Elective

Residents/Fellows who are in good standing in programs at the University of Colorado School of Medicine may apply to do electives in Guatemala. Residents/fellows who are on probation or participating in remediation plans are not eligible. In order to be considered for an elective in the Guatemala Trifinio site, the resident/fellow must complete and submit an application and indicate an “elective month” for the period they intend to do this rotation. Application due dates may be found in the right hand column of this page.

The Guatemala (Trifinio) Global Health Elective is currently being offered at the Southwest Trifinio site located 45 minutes south from the town of Coatepeque, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. The area is located in the coastal lowlands, home to approximately 23,000 people from 20 different communities. The Center for Global Health and the Jose Fernando Bolaños Foundation have developed a Center for Human Development Clinic and community programs in the area where rotators will gain experience caring for children and families from local communities.

More information can be found on our Guatemala signature site page. 

Preparation normally begins six months prior to travel.

Residents and fellows applying to the Global Health Elective program must be in good standing with their residency program and the University of Colorado Graduate Medical Education Office/Post-Doctoral Office. Your application must be supported by your department and program director. Residents/fellows who participate in global health electives should be flexible and willing to step in where needed. In many instances, set schedules are not given ahead of time. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to understand clinical presentation and management of common diseases in a resource-poor environment, as well as understand alternative health systems in cultural settings.