Essential Guide for DO Graduates: Researching Global Health Residency Programs

Understanding Your Unique Position as a DO Interested in Global Health

As a DO graduate, you occupy a distinctive—and valuable—niche at the intersection of osteopathic medicine and global health. Before you dive into program lists and spreadsheets, it’s critical to understand how your background shapes your program research strategy and what to look for.

Why your DO background is an asset in global health

Osteopathic training emphasizes:

• Whole-person, biopsychosocial care
• Primary care and community-based practice
• Hands-on skills (including OMT) that can be extremely useful in low-resource settings
• Prevention, population health, and patient education

These align closely with global health principles: equity, community engagement, capacity-building, and context-sensitive care. When you research residency programs, you’re looking not just for places that “accept DOs,” but for ones that recognize and use your osteopathic strengths.

Know your “must-haves” vs “nice-to-haves”

Before opening FREIDA or ERAS, clarify:

Must-haves:

• Specialization that reliably integrates global health (e.g., Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, EM, OB/GYN, Med-Peds, Psychiatry)
• A legitimate global health residency track or clearly structured international medicine opportunities
• DO-friendly track record (e.g., significant DO graduate residency presence, leadership familiarity with osteopathic training)
• Strong clinical training in underserved or resource-limited communities in the U.S.

Nice-to-haves:

• Formal global health curriculum with protected time
• Institutional partnerships abroad (e.g., MOUs with hospitals or universities in low- or middle-income countries)
• Faculty with global health research or implementation science background
• Option for an additional global health certificate, MPH, or fellowship pathway
• Mentors who are DOs engaged in global health

Being clear on this framework lets you evaluate residency programs systematically and avoid being swayed by marketing alone.

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Step 1: Build a Targeted Program List (Not Just “Any Global Health Track”)

Your first task is to create a long list of potentially suitable programs. This is where many applicants go wrong by staying vague (“I’ll just apply to programs with global health in the description”). You need a deliberate program research strategy.

Use multiple data sources (don’t rely on just one)

Combine these tools and databases:

1. FREIDA (AMA Residency & Fellowship Database)

   • Filter by specialty (e.g., Family Medicine, Internal Medicine) and geographic location.
   • Look at each program’s “Special Tracks” or “Program Features” for global health residency track, international medicine, health equity, or underserved care.
   • Check “Osteopathic Recognition” if you prefer programs that have formal osteopathic components.

2. ERAS and program websites

   • Search terms:
     • “global health track residency [specialty]”
     • “international medicine residency [city or state]”
     • “[program name] global health pathway”
   • Program websites often describe global health pathways, elective sites, and examples of resident projects.

3. Global health consortia and networks

   • Some institutions are recognized hubs for global health:
     • Academic Global Health Alliance–type groups
     • University global health centers or institutes
   • Many of these list affiliated residency tracks on their websites.

4. Osteopathic-specific resources

   • AACOM’s GME resources and lists of DO-friendly programs
   • State osteopathic associations with information on DO graduate residency opportunities
   • DO mentors or faculty who have previously matched into global health-oriented programs

5. Word of mouth and mentorship

   • Talk to:
     • DO graduates 2–5 years ahead of you who matched into global health-oriented residencies
     • Residents on global health tracks when you do away rotations or virtual visits
     • Faculty in family medicine, IM, EM, or pediatrics who have international work experience

Categorize your long list

As you gather programs, put them into categories:

• Tier 1 – Core target programs:
  Strong global health residency track + proven DO acceptance + good fit specialty/location.

• Tier 2 – Moderate fit:
  Some international medicine opportunities or underserved focus, but less formal structure; still DO-friendly.

• Tier 3 – Stretch or backup:
  Either very competitive global health programs with less clear DO track record, or solid DO programs with minimal structured global health but strong underserved care.

Aim for a balanced mix across tiers to protect yourself in the osteopathic residency match while still pursuing your global health priorities.

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Step 2: Read Between the Lines on Program Websites

Once you have your long list, the real work begins: critically evaluating residency programs based on publicly available information. Most programs will claim some form of “global health” interest—your job is to distinguish branding from substance.

Key indicators of a meaningful global health residency track

When you explore a program website, look for concrete details:

1. Structured curriculum
   Indicators of a serious global health track:

   • Dedicated global health didactics (not just a single noon conference each year)
   • Longitudinal curriculum outlined by year (PGY-1 to PGY-3/4)
   • Defined competencies or milestones related to global health
   • Mention of topics like health systems, implementation science, humanitarian principles, ethics of international work, tropical medicine, migrant health, and refugee health

2. Protected time and funding
   Ask: “How is this track functionally supported?”

   • Protected elective time specifically for international or global health rotations
   • Funding or partial sponsorship for travel, housing, or conference attendance
   • Access to a global health certificate, diploma, or affiliated MPH (with support or tuition discount)

3. Long-term, reciprocal partnerships
   Look for:

   • Named partner institutions (“We have a 10-year partnership with Hospital X in Kenya,” etc.)
   • Bidirectional exchanges (partners visit the U.S. program, not just one-way electives)
   • Emphasis on capacity building, mutual learning, and local leadership

4. Faculty and leadership engagement
   Examine:

   • Profiles of faculty with ongoing global health research, quality improvement projects, or long-term site engagement
   • Fellowship-trained global health faculty or leaders with MPH, DTM&H, or similar qualifications
   • DO faculty who are visibly involved in global health efforts (a plus for your DO graduate residency experience)

5. Resident project examples and outcomes
   Meaningful evidence:

   • Resident global health scholarly projects showcased on the website
   • Conference presentations or publications related to global health
   • Alumni stories describing careers in global health, health equity, or international medicine

Red flags suggesting “global health washing”

Some programs use broad language without substantive infrastructure. Be cautious if:

• “Global health” is mentioned only once, in vague terms (“We support global health interests”) with no details
• No named global health faculty or leadership roles
• No description of track curriculum or elective structure
• All examples of “global health” are one-time, short-term trips with no ongoing partnerships
• Program emphasizes tourist experiences (safaris, beach excursions) more than clinical or educational value

As a DO graduate, you need to be especially intentional in evaluating residency programs because you may get fewer interview slots than MD peers at some institutions; each application should be targeted and informed.

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Step 3: Assess DO-Friendliness and Osteopathic Fit

The keywords “DO graduate residency” and “osteopathic residency match” are not just labels—they translate to specific, practical questions in your program research strategy.

Metrics that matter for DO-friendliness

When evaluating residency programs:

1. Historical DO representation

   • Check current residents:
     • How many DOs per year?
     • Are DOs present in leadership roles (chief residents, committee members)?
   • If recent classes have zero or one DO over multiple years, expect potential structural or cultural barriers.

2. Osteopathic Recognition vs. DO inclusion

   • Programs with Osteopathic Recognition may:
     • Align with your training values
     • Provide OMT continuity
   • Non-OR programs can still be excellent DO graduate residency environments if they:
     • Regularly match DOs
     • Explicitly state DOs are welcome and valued

3. Program director and faculty attitudes
   Signals of positive culture:

   • Website or recruitment materials explicitly mention DOs and osteopathic perspectives
   • PD or APD has trained or worked at DO-heavy institutions
   • During info sessions, they discuss how they integrate DOs and osteopathic approaches

Questions to ask specifically as a DO

In emails, virtual open houses, or interviews, consider asking:

• “How have DO graduates from your program done in terms of fellowships or careers in global health or international medicine?”
• “Are there DO faculty or graduates involved in your global health residency track?”
• “Does the program support maintenance of osteopathic skills, and are those skills valued in your global health or underserved settings?”

You’re not just seeking tolerance of your degree—you’re looking for spaces where your osteopathic background is used as a strength in global health contexts.

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Step 4: Deep-Dive Research: Beyond the Website

After you’ve shortlisted programs with promising global health and DO-friendly features, dive deeper using both online research and direct outreach.

Use structured online sleuthing

For each program on your shortlist, try:

1. Google and PubMed searches

   • “[Program name] global health residency,” “[institution] global health center,” “[faculty name] global health research”
   • PubMed: look up faculty members listed as global health leads to see their current projects or partnerships.

2. Conference programs and abstracts

   • Check conference proceedings from groups like Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH), regional global health communities, or specialty-specific global health meetings.
   • Look for recurring contributions from residents or faculty of your target programs.

3. Social media and blogs

   • Some programs have active global health social media accounts showcasing resident experiences and partnerships.
   • Watch for longitudinal stories and projects, not just “mission trip” photos.

Direct outreach: emails, virtual meetings, and networking

Once you’ve done your background homework, connect directly:

1. Email the global health track director or coordinator

   Introduce yourself as a DO graduate with specific interest in global health. Ask targeted questions such as:

   • “How many residents participate in the global health track each year?”
   • “What are examples of long-term partnerships and recent resident projects?”
   • “Are there residents or alumni with DO backgrounds who’d be open to speaking with me?”

2. Attend virtual open houses or global health info sessions

   Many programs host:

   • General residency open houses
   • Specific sessions for their global health pathway or international medicine activities

   Take notes on:

   • The clarity of their curriculum
   • The way they talk about ethics, reciprocity, and local partnership
   • How inclusive they are toward DO applicants

3. Connect with current and former residents

   This is where you get candid information. Ask residents:

   • “How realistic is it to complete the global health residency track given clinical demands?”
   • “Are global health electives accessible to all residents, or only a select few?”
   • “Did you feel supported as a DO (if they are DOs), and how did that impact your experience?”
   • “Are residents engaged in both global health abroad and local health equity work at home?”

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Step 5: Systematically Compare and Rank Programs

After gathering information, you need a way to compare programs in a consistent, objective manner. A simple scoring rubric can transform scattered impressions into clear decisions.

Build a comparison table or spreadsheet

Include columns for:

• Program name and specialty
• Location and community type (urban/rural, immigrant populations, FQHC partners)
• DO representation (e.g., 0–3 scale)
• Strength of global health track (0–5 scale)
• Partnership quality (e.g., long-term vs ad hoc trips)
• Protected time and funding for global health
• Faculty mentors and DO mentors
• Research or scholarly opportunities in global or local health equity
• Lifestyle factors and personal preferences (proximity to family, cost of living, visa issues if applicable)

Example scoring categories

You might score each program from 1–5 in categories like:

1. Global health structure and curriculum
   1 = vague mention only; 5 = robust, longitudinal track with defined competencies.

2. Global health partnerships and ethics
   1 = short-term mission trips only; 5 = multi-year, reciprocal, partner-led collaborations.

3. DO-friendliness
   1 = rarely or never takes DOs; 5 = multiple DOs per class, DOs in leadership, explicit DO support.

4. Clinical breadth with relevance to global health
   1 = limited exposure to underserved or diverse populations; 5 = high-volume safety net or immigrant/refugee care, robust public health collaboration.

5. Mentorship and career support in international medicine
   1 = unclear or absent; 5 = multiple mentors, alumni trajectories in global health, support for fellowships/MPH.

Score each program and then rank them based on your weighted priorities. For example, if your top priority is genuine global health training, weight those scores more heavily than location or prestige.

Reconcile ambition with practicality

As a DO graduate, you should:

• Include a reasonable number of DO-friendly programs where your profile is highly competitive.
• Still apply to a subset of more competitive global health programs if you’re a strong candidate (high COMLEX/USMLE, strong global health background, leadership and research).
• Ensure your final list allows realistic success in the osteopathic residency match, not just alignment with your ideal global health profile.

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Step 6: Use What You Learn to Strengthen Your Application

Program research is not just about where you apply—it should also shape how you present your story.

Tailor your personal statement and experiences

Use your findings to:

• Align your narrative with the specific global health themes emphasized by a program (e.g., migrant health, health systems strengthening, humanitarian emergency response, refugee care).
• Highlight your prior experiences that show readiness for their style of international medicine or local global health work.
• Draw connections between osteopathic principles and the program’s global health mission (e.g., structural vulnerability, community-engaged care, long-term capacity building).

Prepare program-specific talking points

As you research residency programs, compile:

• 2–3 specific aspects you genuinely admire about each program’s global health residency track.
• 1–2 thoughtful questions that demonstrate you understand the ethics and complexities of global health.

Use these during:

• Interviews
• Informal resident chats
• Email follow-ups

This signals that you’re not applying generically; you’ve done serious due diligence and can articulate why that particular program is a strong match for your goals as a DO in global health.

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Step 7: Balance International Focus with Local Health Equity

Finally, a nuanced global health perspective recognizes that “global” includes both international and domestic contexts.

Prioritize programs with both international and local commitments

The most rigorous global health residency track options:

• Offer both overseas experiences and intensive work with local underserved populations.
• Partner with refugee health clinics, migrant worker programs, Native/Indigenous health systems, or urban safety-net hospitals.
• Teach you how to translate skills and principles between international and U.S.-based care.

As a DO graduate, this dual focus resonates strongly with osteopathic values and gives you broader career flexibility after training.

Consider career trajectory beyond residency

Ask yourself:

• Do I want a career primarily abroad, or a U.S.-based role with periodic global health work?
• Am I aiming for future fellowships (e.g., global health, health equity, infectious disease, EM global health, maternal-child health)?
• Would I pursue additional training (MPH, DTM&H, global health fellowship)?

Seek programs whose alumni trajectories match your long-term vision. This is where alumni lists, LinkedIn searches, and faculty conversations become especially valuable.

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FAQs: Researching Global Health Residency Programs as a DO

1. Do I need a formal global health track to work in international medicine later?

No, but it helps. A structured global health residency track provides mentorship, protected time, and recognized skills. However, you can still build a strong global health career by:

• Training at a DO-friendly program with heavy underserved/U.S. safety net experience
• Pursuing global health electives and local immigrant/refugee work
• Completing a global health fellowship or MPH after residency

What matters most is consistent engagement, quality mentorship, and ethical, sustained work rather than labels alone.

2. How can I tell if a program’s global health opportunities are ethical and sustainable?

Look for:

• Long-term, named partnerships with clear local leadership
• Documentation of bidirectional exchange (partners visiting the U.S., training opportunities for them)
• Emphasis on capacity building rather than short-term “mission trips”
• Curriculum that explicitly addresses ethics, colonialism in global health, and structural determinants of health

If you only see short, one-off trips without clear local benefit, approach cautiously.

3. Are DOs at a disadvantage for global health-focused programs?

Not inherently. Many global health leaders value your osteopathic perspective, especially in primary care, community engagement, and holistic assessment. However:

• Some academic centers still show preference for MDs or are less familiar with DO training.
• You can offset this by strong board scores, robust global health or health equity experience, clear research and leadership, and targeted program selection.

Focus on DO-friendly programs with established osteopathic presence, and don’t waste applications on places with no DO history and vague openness.

4. How early should I start researching residency programs for global health?

Ideally:

• MS2–MS3 (or equivalent time frame for nontraditional DO paths): Start exploring specialties and big-picture global health interests.
• Early MS3: Narrow down to a few specialties and begin compiling your initial list of programs.
• Late MS3–early MS4: Conduct deep research, attend open houses, reach out to global health faculty, and refine your final application list.

Starting early gives you time to shape your experiences, electives, and scholarly work in ways that align with the types of programs you eventually target.

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By following a structured, critical program research strategy—grounded in both your identity as a DO graduate and your passion for global health—you’ll move beyond buzzwords and branding to identify residency programs that truly align with your values, skills, and long-term career goals in international medicine and health equity.