Global Health & International Medicine

The John A Burns School of Medicine’s basic mission is to teach and train high-quality physicians, bio-medical scientists, and allied health workers for Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Our vision is ALOHA: Attaining Lasting Optimal Health for All.

Download the Global Health Handbook 2024-2025 (PDF)

Office of Global Health and International Medicine Staff Listing

Interim Director and Director of Japanese Affiliated Programs: Junji Machi, MD, PhD
Former Directors: Gregory Maskarinec, PhD, Satoru Izutsu, PhD
Staff: Paula Uchima, Emi Saegusa-Beecroft, MD, PhD and Mayo Civico
Advisors: Shinji Ito, MD, Katsuya Hisamichi, MD, Makoto Uchiyama, MD, Hideko Yamauchi, MD, Teruo Yamauchi, MD, and Alexander Machi, BA (Multimedia)

The Committee on Global Health and International Medicine, within the Dean’s Office at JABSOM, is tasked with coordinating the school’s efforts in the global health arena.

JABSOM’s Global Health and International Medicine programs include the following:

• NON-CREDIT ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS
• CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES
• INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS
• ANNUAL ACTIVITIES REPORT

The Office of Global Health and International Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine offers OBSERVATIONAL opportunities for international undergraduate medical observers. The basic requirements for this activity for observers are:

1. Enrolled in schools with a current, signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaiʻi.
2. In the 6th or final year of medical school, in good academic standing.
3. Proficient in English (as screened by Zoom interview, prior to arrival) and submission of TOEFL score preferred.
4. Payment of $100 US for liability insurance upon arrival.
5. Possess current immunization record
6. Health insurance required prior to arriving in Hawaiʻi.
7. Valid passport
8. Request for assignments are made on a “first come, first serve” basis.
9. Curriculum vitae, personal statement, photo and other required documents.
10. Consent Waiver Release Indemnity 2019 Form Fillable (PDF)

There is no tuition charge for undergraduate observers.

Note: Each observer is responsible for all personal expenses, airfare, health and travel insurance, rent, food and entertainment.

The observational period is for four weeks and available in Internal Medicine, and possibly other specialties. Observers may attend daily clinical rounds and participate in the educational activities of the department to which they are assigned. Clinical conferences, grand rounds, and other educational activities are scheduled on a weekly basis.

Work with assigned Staff physician in his/her private practice office and during hospital rounds.

Each observer is evaluated at termination with a report sent to the respective school.

Address all inquiries to Paula Kuwaye Uchima:  pkuwaye@hawaii.edu  Phone: +1-808-547-9485