Integrating Doctors Without Borders into one's life

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

doctor_may

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2014
Messages
31
Reaction score
5
Hi everyone! I've been interested global health and humanitarian aid since I began to pursue an undergrad premed path last year. I read up on Doctors Without Borders and similar organizations that I'm interested in working with in the future. I see that they do not accept medical students right off the bat--rightly so, in those limited conditions.

Anyways, I would appreciate advice on how to approach this.

My main concerns:
1. This is a genuine interest that I'm sure others like me share. So, how do I go about differentiating myself from others during the application process? Yes, a tremendous amount of assistance is needed in underdeveloped places, and I feel an intense urge to help. Is the only way I can truly express this passion through the PS and interview, as well as through volunteering?

2. How do I go about supporting myself financially? Paying for school and a resident's salary seem tricky to balance by themselves. Is it best to wait a few years after residency, secure myself, and then try working with MSF?

Thanks for any assistance! I know I'm probably getting ahead of myself here, but I want to have a general idea in my mind as I proceed with my studies.

Members don't see this ad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I will assume you mean after med-school and residency..

One way to get in easily is to be a speciality they need: on the MSF(the french name of doctors without borders) webpage they list specialists they need. If you are on the medicine aspect (family med/internal/peds/specialist) I am sure that some overseas rotations or tropical medicine rotations would also look great on your application process. I think the best way would be to do Family medicine w/ Obstretics with tropical medicine/overseas/HIV rotations. You would cover all the needs of the MSF (family med, obstretics, Infectious disease) in one package. Also, don't start a family during medschool/residency - or it will be very hard to leave them >9 months (min requirement by MSF)

It will be easy to support yourself as your costs will be minimal as you will be overseas, so put all your stuff in America into storage or your parents. MSF, as per their website, states they will take MD's after residency with no additional work experience.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I wouldn't make your desire to be in MSF a focal point in your PS or anywhere really unless you have a very extensive set of experiences in global health. Even then, I would just leave it as a future interest. Schools aren't going to accept or reject you based on this fact. It's just not that important and things will likely change once you're finally done with your training. Everyone makes tons of promises and has grand visions of what they want to do as a physician that some how always seem to change.

Your other questions would be better answered by physicians that have actually done a MSF tour than premeds here. I imagine, though, that you will still be expected to make loan payments, so unless you save up the money in advance that would likely preclude you from doing a tour right after residency. I really don't know though.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Most organizations like MSF require a few years of experience before enrollment, so that would you give some breathing room as an attending to pay your debts.
 
Top