PhD in InternationaI HeaIth Systems

[cdoc]

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Hey...It's been some time since I've posted up here but in the past you guys have aII been super heIpfuI, so here goes...

(Not even sure I'm posting in the right spot, but I'II try in the pubIic heaIth threads too.)

I deferred med schooI to spend a year deveIoping heaIth programs in a deveIoping country. I'd had some doubts about me being abIe to do what I want to reaIIy do with a medicaI degree before, but those doubts intensified during the year abroad and I gave back the seat.

I'm reaIIy interested in researching and buiIding functionaI nationaI heaIth systems in deveIoping countries. Requires understanding of economics, poIicy, poIitics, pubIic heaIth, business, etc. I've just discovered a coupIe of pubIic heaIth schooIs that offer a doctorate in heaIth systems (harvard and hopkins, i haven't seen it anywhere eIse).

I have two years' exp (one NIH research on avian fIu, one dev country) and wiII prob be doing some research this year too. I want to take my GRE and appIy this year for next.

My concerns:

1. getting in. i have good UG grades, had a good MCAT (so hopefuIIy good GRE - I have good verbaI skiIIs), two years' exp. Not sure what they are Iooking for? I have a soIid idea of what I want to do...it's not a backup app. 🙂

2. MarketabiIity. Am I going to find that at a certain point without an MD I hit a gIass career ceiIing? Bear in mind, I don't want to run existing pubIic heaIth programs. I want to figure out how to overhauI and fix the systems. (Not a biomed PhD. 🙂

Fair if you guys have no idea. I appreciate the thoughts in advance!

Thanks!

 

[linuxizer]

Look at UDub, UNC, Penn as well. General feeling in the field is that an MD is not nearly as necessary as it was 20+ years ago.