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An abstract lithograph in blue, yellow and red by artist Jasper Johns

Office of Global Health

We are in a global age. While the world economy was the first to follow this path, it has quickly spread to other areas such as health, and many leading US academic institutions, have by now, embraced global issues.

The number of medical students who participate in overseas clinical activities has grown significantly—from 6% a decade ago to almost 40% since 2000, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. At Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, over one-third of our medical students have indicated an interest in participating in a rotation abroad during their medical school years.

The Office of Global Health oversees numerous programs and opportunities for students to gain international experiences and learn about the global interconnectedness of health. Our global health programs aim to:

  • Enhance medical students’ awareness of global issues related to health
  • Encourage medical students to immerse themselves in the culture and health system of other countries
  • Send groups of medical students all over the world to institutions with whom we have ongoing educational collaborations
  • Provide information about clinical and community programs in diverse ethnic communities in New Jersey that would benefit and enhance the clinical experiences of students
  • Stimulate and support international activities of our faculty, including educational, clinical, and research activities

Global Health Programs and Opportunities

From programs that enhance students' communication skills to immersive international experiences, our global health programs are designed to broaden students' perspectives on health and the world.

Medical Spanish Course
Observership for International Students
Global Health Elective
Medical Mandarin Course
Global Health Student Groups
International Rotations

These Robert Wood Johnson Medical School programs and initiatives emphasize experiences in the local community and the importance of promoting and delivering culturally-responsive, quality health care for our diverse local populations.

Distinction in Global Health
Distinction in Service to the Community
Eric B. Chandler Health Center
HIPHOP
Promise Clinic
SATHI
Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity
A doctor listens to a patient's heart

International Rotations for Medical Students

In these summer experiences, students sharpen their interviewing and physical examination skills, improve their understanding of cost-constrained care and the importance of public health, and learn about serving and advocating for under-served populations in the US and around the world.

Our students have traveled to Japan, Taiwan, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, India, Bangladesh, and Ireland, visiting community clinics and rural areas and collaborating with local students and faculty.

Who We Are

Headshot of Karen WeiRu Lin

Karen WeiRu Lin, MD, MS, FAAFP

Associate Dean for Global Health and Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health

Phone848-932-0232

View Profile

Angela Gitau, MD
Program Manager
303 George Street, Room 319
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
848-932-0230
angela.gitau@rutgers.edu
 
Zina Carreker-Smith, AA
Administrative Assistant
303 George Street, Room 324
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
848-932-0233
smithzd@rwjms.rutgers.edu

Global Health Fair

An annual celebration of the work of our faculty, staff, and students, and an opportunity to learn about our global health work, both locally and around the world.

Learn about the Global Health Fair

Global Health Faculty

  • Sonia Garcia Laumbach, MD
    Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
    Associate Professor of Family Medicine

    Robert Like, MD
    Emeritus Professor 

    Karen WeiRu Lin, MD, MS, FAAFP
    Associate Dean for Global Health
    Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health

    Mafudia A. Suaray, MD, MPH
    Associate Professor
    Hospitalist, Division of Hospital Medicine
    Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

    Janelle Billig, MD

  • Sabiha Hussain, MD
    Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
    Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship
    Director of Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program
    Director of Interventional Bronchology

    Abel E. Moreyra, MD, FACP, FACC
    Emeritus Professor  

    Xiangbing D. Wang, MD
    Associate Professor of Medicine

  • Ashley Weng, MD
    Assistant Professor

     

  • Charletta Ayers, MD, MPH
    Associate Professor
    Vice Chair, Clinical Affairs
    Director, Urban and Global Scholars Program
    Chief, Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology

    Gloria Bachmann, MD, MMS
    Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
    Associate Dean for Women Health
    Interim Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Science

    Juana Hutchinson-Colas, MD, MBA
    Associate Professor
    Chief, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery

    Ernani Sudural
    Director of Global Health RWJ Barnabas Health 
    Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, New Jersey Medical School 

  • Babar K. Rao, MD
    Professor of Dermatology and Pathology
    Center for Dermatology

  • Sunanda Gaur, MD
    Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Disease
    Director, Clinical Research Center 
    Director, South Asian Total Health Initiative 
    Professor, School of Public Health
    Adjunct Professor, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy

    Patricia Whitley-Williams, MD
    Professor of Pediatrics
    Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Disease
    Senior Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity

  • Javier Escobar, MD
    Emeritus Professor 

  • Judith Amorosa, MD, FACR
    Clinical Professor 
    Vice-Chair for Faculty Development and Academic Affairs
    Chief of Thoracic Imagining

  • Mayur Narayan, MD, MPH, MBA, MHPE, FACS, FCCM, FICS, FACT, FAIM
    Professor of Surgery
    Chief, Division of Acute Care Surgery
    Trauma Medical Director

    Joseph Hanna  MD, PhD, FACS 
    Associate Professor of Surgery
    Interim Associate Chief Quality Officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

    Gregory Peck, DO, MPH, FACS
    Assistant Professor of Surgery
    Associate Professor of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy

    Hirohisa Ikegami MD
    Associate Professor of Surgery 
    Surgical Director, Cardiac Transplant and Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program 
    Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
     

  • James Aikins, MD
    Associate Professor of OB/GYN and Reproductive Sciences
    Chief, Gynecologic Oncology
    Director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program

  • Navaneeth Narayanan, PharmD, MPH, BCIDP
    Clinical Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice and Administration
     

  • Angelica Diaz Martinez, PhD
    Teaching Professor
    Director for Clinical Training, Clinical Department

Contact Us

303 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 848-932-0230
Fax: 732-932-1451
Email: globalhealth@rwjms.rutgers.edu