The mission of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association's International Health Program is to promote international medicine and to develop an awareness of other communities’ medical practice via direct student interaction. It is the desire of this program to provide resources to students interested in international health and to encourage osteopathic medical students to incorporate an international elective experience into their medical school curriculum. This webpage brings attention to all ongoing projects related to the field of international health.

Kristin D. Lynch, M.S.
SOMA International Health
Program Director 2010-2011

DOCARE International:

DOCARE International is a medical outreach organization dedicated to providing much-needed healthcare to indigent and isolated people in remote areas around the world.  The membership is comprised of professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines, and locations, and new members and volunteers are always welcome.  To learn more about the organization and find out what upcoming mission trips you may join in on, please visit www.DOCareintl.org.

Better World Books

Better World Books is a for-profit social enterprise that collects used books and sells them online to raise money for literacy initiatives worldwide.  All SOMA chapters are encouraged to support this effort (and raise funds for local chapter projects) by coordinating book drives on campus.  For more information, visit www.BetterWorldBooks.com, or contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Scholarship Information:

The International Health Program offers two scholarships yearly.  Details regarding each scholarship are provided on the scholarships page.

• SOMA International Health Scholarship:

  One $500 scholarship
  Deadline: March 28, 2011
  The scholarship is meant to promote international medicine and to develop an awareness of other cultures medical practice via direct student interaction. It is the desire of this program to provide resources to students interested in international health is available to 3rd and 4th year students who did a month long rotation abroad.

• Medical Missions and Relief Trip Scholarship

  Two $250 scholarships
  Deadline: March 28, 2011
  This scholarship is designed to meet the needs of those students who participate in international medical missions and relief trips. It is specifically designed for those trips of at least 2 weeks long that do not meet the requirements for the International Health scholarship. Available to all students.