PAUL FARMER GLOBAL SURGERY RESEARCH FELLOW

Program Overview

The PGSSC was founded in 2010 in response to the lack of surgery in global health. In 2015, The Lancet Commission for Global Surgery drew global attention to the urgent need for development in providing safe and timely access to surgical care. This led to significant expansion within this field, establishing a global network of partnerships. PGSSC has since evolved from clinical fellowships to fellowships focused on research and policy, always striving to respond to the current needs in the growing field of global surgery.

Fellowship Description

The Paul Farmer Global Surgery Fellowship's purpose of Fellowship is to train leaders to promote universal access to surgical, anesthesia, and obstetrics and gynecology care through education, research, and policy development. Fellows will also develop academic, advocacy, and administrative skills in global surgery, anesthesia, and obstetrics and gynecology care, public health, and surgical systems development. All fellows, regardless of specialty background, will work collaboratively on projects to advance the mission of the Program in Global Surgery and Social Change - advocating for universal access to safe, affordable surgical, anesthesia, and obstetrics and gynecology care when needed.

Eligibility

The Paul Farmer Global Surgery Fellowship is for individuals who are currently surgical residents, registrars, or international equivalents in obstetrics and gynecology, anesthesia, and all surgical subspecialties. Please contact pgsscboston@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns about eligibility.

Fellowship Structure

Duration: 24 months

Curriculum: Divided between (1) Research, (2) International surgical care and systems strengthening and education, (3) Local and international policy and advocacy, and (4) Masters of Public Health at Harvard School of Public Health (optional)

Research: Fellows will conduct clinical and health care service research related to global surgery. Potential topics may include research focused on the burden of surgical disease in LMICs, local surgical capacity strengthening, clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and the implementation of innovative and/or disruptive technologies in resource-poor settings. Fellows will also be expected to gain experience writing grant proposals to obtain funding for research projects and working with IRBs.
International surgical care and systems strengthening and education: Fellows will develop and monitor research projects at various stages of implementation. Fellows will also gain firsthand experience in surgical care delivery and program development, public health, human rights, and training of local providers.
Policy and Advocacy: Fellows are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the global surgery agenda and will have the opportunity to participate in activities of the WHO, UNITAR, and other international organizations such as the G4 Alliance and COSECA.
Masters of Public Health: If they choose to do so, Fellows may pursue a Masters's Degree in Public Health through the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health during the Fellowship. The MPH degree must commence during the first year of the fellowship. Previous fellows have started their MPH through the Summer Program in Clinical Effectiveness at the Harvard School of Public Health. Separate applications to these programs are required; acceptance into the Paul Farmer Global Surgery Fellowship does not guarantee acceptance into the MPH program.

Goals

To train leaders in global surgery and build a multidisciplinary community involved in global surgery, anesthesia, and obstetrics and gynecology care.
To advance the specialty of global surgery through research, advocacy, policy, development, and education in resource-poor settings worldwide.
To develop, implement, and evaluate clinical and healthcare delivery research in LMICs based on formal education in public health and clinical effectiveness.
To mentor colleagues, including residents, medical students, and in-country collaborators, in the development of a global surgery research agenda.
To develop a knowledge of global public health issues, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and health care infrastructure around the world.

Application Information

In order to apply for the Paul Farmer Global Surgery Fellowship, please fill out the application.

In addition to submitting a completed application, please be sure to also include:

Current Curriculum Vitae
- Focused on Global Surgery activities
- Limited to 2 pages + additional page for publications
A Personal Statement (should be limited to 1 page). This statement should attempt to address some or all of the following components:
- Commitment to Global Surgery
- Recognition of the need for social justice and equity in GS
- How you will benefit from the fellowship
- What you can contribute to the PGSSC **
Commentary (should be limited to 400 words). This commentary should attempt to address one of the following topics:
- Neocolonialism and Racism in Global Surgery
- Publishing/authorship equity in Global Surgery Research
- Importance of surgery in health system strengthening
- Climate change and global surgery
Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from the residency director or chairman, a consultant or attending you have worked with closely in a clinical setting (these can be sent separately to the PGSSC email below or attached with your application materials)
Official medical school transcript

All application materials and questions should be emailed to pgsscboston@gmail.com.