Global Health Program

Welcome to Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Global Health Program. We are pleased to offer resident physicians meaningful international electives and educational experiences that foster a lifelong commitment to serving underserved populations—both locally and around the world.

Our program provides a variety of global health opportunities through established partner institutions, organized medical service experiences, and resident-designed electives. Previous rotations have taken place in Jamaica, Peru, Thailand, Fiji, the Philippines, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Each elective is designed to broaden clinical knowledge, strengthen diagnostic and physical examination skills, and deepen participants’ understanding of how health care is delivered across diverse cultural and resource-limited settings.

These immersive experiences allow residents to work alongside local health care professionals while gaining firsthand insight into the challenges of providing equitable, affordable, and accessible care. Participants develop greater cultural humility, adaptability, and an appreciation for innovative approaches to patient care that can be applied to the diverse communities served throughout Southern California.

Whether your interests include global health, medical volunteerism, cross-cultural learning, or caring for vulnerable populations, we encourage you to explore the opportunities our program offers. We invite you to become part of a community of physicians committed to improving health through service, education, and collaboration.

We look forward to supporting your global health journey.

Sincerely,

Dennis Andrade MD
Global Health Program Co-Director

Bruno Lewin MD
Global Health Program Co-Director

Mission Statement

Founded in 2014, Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Global Health Program promotes education, service, and leadership in global health by preparing resident physicians to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and high-quality care in diverse communities around the world.

The program seeks to increase awareness of global health challenges and health disparities, particularly among underserved populations, while creating opportunities for residents to participate directly in international clinical and community-based experiences. Through these partnerships, residents gain a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence health and health care delivery.

The Global Health Program is committed to helping resident physicians develop the knowledge, skills, and cultural humility necessary to provide exceptional care across cultural boundaries, whether serving patients abroad or within the diverse communities of Southern California.

Ultimately, the program strives to cultivate physicians who appreciate the shared human experience, embrace service as a professional responsibility, and are equipped to improve the health and well-being of communities both locally and globally.