Sponsored by Mennonite Medical Association,
- through the Mobilization for Mission Fund
The Mennonite Medical Association (MMA) is committed to the promotion of medical services to the under-served and to medical missions. It encourages direct involvement in health care in a third world mission/service setting. It is also interested in promoting the benefits of crosscultural experiences.
Since most medical students have an elective term (approximately two months) during or after their third year, MMA sees in it an opportunity for students to not only enrich their medical training, but also to make a meaningful contribution in delivery of health care. The aim is to have this exposure in a setting that offers opportunity for a Christian witness.
Program: The program utilizes sites in third world countries and underdeveloped communities in various other geographical areas. The Association offers travel subsidies to help make such service possible. It also provides facilitation and coordination in cooperation with various Christian agencies.
The physicians on the field at MMA-approved sites have the qualifications and experience to serve as preceptors, thus allowing our SET assignees to usually get medical school approval and credit for the elective. Some preceptors have advanced training and many years of experience in treating tropical diseases, for example.
Administration: In consultation with the Council of International Ministries (CIM) or other agencies, arrangements are made for the placement of students, usually, but not necessarily, in overseas locations. This offers the student not only an exposure to third world service and missions but also to a wide range of diseases not frequently encountered in medical school. It opens the door to responsible practice of medicine that merits academic credit. Great care is taken in selecting hospital and health centers where the preceptor provides authentic guidance in the learning process.
It is understood that MMA is only the facilitator. The administrative agency responsible for the health care facility makes the official assignment to the particular institution or health center within its area of service. It assumes the student will be engaged in both learning and service activities in a cooperative venture for the enhancement of the Christian cause.
Benefits: This kind of arrangement gives to students an opportunity to have firsthand experience in achieving the satisfaction of serving others. They will gain valuable insights into crosscultural values and challenges. One student in an evaluation of his experience said, "My experience in Haiti has added a much needed perspective to my medical education. It allowed me to learn by experience the application of medical principles." Another said, "It was the best thing I have done for my medical education; I have gained selfconfidence, calmness, common sense, and motivation to be a learning physician more than ever.'' It is testimonies like these that inspire members of the Mennonite Medical Association to support this program.
Process: Applications submitted to the Mennonite Medical Association are reviewed by the Association's Executive Committee. If the application is approved, MMA will contact the administration of the clinic/hospital of the student's choice. Approval will also need to come from the hospital/location. Some locations require a third approval by a government official or mission agency. After all approval requirements are met, MMA will inform the student. The student is then responsible for making travel arrangements to the location and informing the hospital of travel itinerary. Assuming funds are available in the Mobilization for Mission Fund of MMA, a travel subsidy up to 75% of the roundtrip economy airfare would be granted. Applicants should be eligible and apply for membership in MMA and are asked to provide a written evaluation of their experience upon their return.
August 15, 2009
Download the Student Elective Term Program Application in pdf format (Adobe Reader needed):
