Published: 09/26/2025
By Jamie Hansen, Global Health Communications Manager
There’s a growing movement among US academic institutions engaged in global health to host their international medical partners. Such programs foster a mutual exchange of learning, enriching the educational experience for both US and international participants, and cultivating a deeper understanding of global health challenges.
A new publication provides 10 actionable recommendations for how U.S. global health programs can effectively host global health partners in a manner that is sustainable, bidirectional, and respectful. The publication was co-authored by Global Health Core Leader Ana Maria Crawford, MD, Michelle Arteaga, MS, MHA, Global Engagement Programs Manager, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, and a team of global colleagues. The Consortium of Universities for Global Health Working Group on Equitable Opportunities in Clinical Education helped facilitate the publication by connecting some of the authors.
Drawing on over 15 years of collective experience hosting international colleagues, the authors of this new publication provide practical, concrete strategies to overcome common barriers faced by institutions looking to build these programs, specifically when hosting International Medical Graduates – doctors who graduated from medical schools outside the US and Canada.
“Many American faculty, staff, and trainees at academic teaching hospitals remain committed to keeping our doors open to our global health partners and international medical graduate colleagues,” said Arteaga. “The checklists and resources provided in this publication are tangible tools global health advocates and administrators can use to secure buy-in from leadership and expand professional development opportunities to providers from various resource settings.”
The publication outlines ten key recommendations that serve as a roadmap for U.S. programs aiming to create hosting programs that are equitable, reciprocal, and foster long-term partnerships.
The recommendations are:
- Gain Institutional Support by Demonstrating the Added Value of Hosting
- Develop a Programmatic Checklist and Administrative Timeline
- Become Familiar with Visa Types, Restrictions, and Allowable Roles for Visitors
- Understand State Medical Licensing Restrictions for IMGs
- Understand Tax Liabilities for Host Programs and Visiting Observers
- Securing Programmatic Funding and Creating a Budget
- Understand Institutional Requirements for Visitors
- Ensure Adequate Program Administrative Support
- Take Steps to Protect Visiting Observers in Emergencies
- Adequately Consider Cultural and System Differences
These recommendations not only address the operational, legal, and financial challenges that institutions often face but also emphasize the importance of equity, reciprocity, and long-term partnership in global health education.
“With rapidly changing visa and licensure policies, we want to help others by providing actionable recommendations for building meaningful programs” said Crawford, who is also Clinical Professor in the division of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine and Director of Global Engagement Strategy for the division. Her division has been hosting international medical graduates since 2015.
“These recommendations, based on our lived experience, can help ensure that global health programs are not only effective but also respectful and sustainable.”
Read the publication and its complete recommendations here.
Acknowledgements: Additional authors included Rodrigo Rubio, Gaston Nyirigira, Samy Bendjemil, James C. Hudspeth, and Tracy L. Rabin.