Unique Transatlantic Partnership to Train Doctors for Global Health Challenges
01/21/15
(PHILADELPHIA) -- Medical students from around the world will benefit from a long term strategic partnership announced today by St. George's, University of London, and Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC), Thomas Jefferson University.
The two dedicated health sciences universities, based in London, U.K. and Philadelphia, U.S. respectively, are set to collaborate on a range of initiatives, designed to allow students to prepare for 21st century global health challenges via exposure to both U.S. and U.K. health systems during their program.
Initially, students and staff from across each university will benefit from a range of exchange opportunities. Students taking St. George’s undergraduate and graduate International Medicine programs developed with INTO University Partnerships, will access SKMC and affiliated hospitals for their clinical rotations in the final two years of the programs, following their earlier studies in Tooting, London.
This new program will be delivered via an innovative, jointly developed curriculum, capitalizing on both universities' expertise in medical education. The program will underpin the teaching of clinical practice with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing the delivery of effective healthcare on both sides of the Atlantic.
In parallel with these educationally focused developments, the universities are exploring a range of research opportunities, similarly focused on major societal challenges and building on their complementary, focused, strengths.
Professor Peter Kopelman, Principal of St George’s, said: “Our agreement with SKMC is great news as it provides students at both our universities with a unique opportunity to truly understand global health issues and be fully equipped for US and international residency and careers.”
“The universities, and affiliated hospitals, share remarkable similarities in their history, ethos and vision, and we look forward to capitalizing on our strengths as we jointly educate the doctors of tomorrow.”
Mark Tykocinski, M.D., Provost and Dean of SKMC said, “Our strategic partnership with St. George’s will allow Jefferson students to benefit from understanding the healthcare systems of both the U.S. and the U.K., while sharing common values of great clinical expertise, teamwork, and patient-centered care.”
Notes for editors:
St George’s, University of London is the U.K.’s only university dedicated to medical and health sciences education, training and research. Sharing a clinical environment with a major London teaching hospital, our innovative approach to education results in well-rounded, highly skilled clinicians, scientists, and health and social care professionals.
Our International Medicine programs, developed within a joint venture with INTO University Partnerships, are the first in the U.K. to focus on preparing students for U.S. and worldwide clinical practice. Students benefit from learning alongside students preparing for U.K. practice while in London, and from clinical experience in the U.S. during their programs.
Our internationally recognized research program delivers cutting-edge scientific discovery through three specialist Research Institutes, directly helping patients through our close links to the clinical frontline and London’s diverse community.
Our Institutes focus on biomedical and scientific discovery, advancing the prevention and treatment of disease in the fields of population health, heart disease and infection—three of the greatest challenges to global health in the 21st Century.