The Hillside Clinic in Southern Belize has become a favorite place for UW faculty and students to enjoy an excellent international experience that is close to home, primarily English speaking, and full of diverse cultures. Mayan Indians, Garifuna, Creole, East Indians, Latinos, and Mennonites are all cared for by Belizean nurses and community workers, along with volunteer healthcare providers and United States trained physicians. The Hillside Clinic includes:

• well supplied outpatient clinic,
• dormitory, and
• community space.

Besides the outpatient clinic, the team operates mobile clinics to remote villages in the Toledo District twice a week, and conducts community educational projects.

The Belize program is able to accommodate four to six physician assistants, medical students and residents each month year round, in addition to visiting faculty. Last year, four physician assistant students, six medical students, an MPH student, and faculty from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health all participated at Hillside.

In 2008, UW-Madison will again sponsor physician assistant and medical students in the months of March and April, while we explore opportunities for Pharmacy, Veterinary, Physical Therapy, and other students as well. Jim Shropshire, MD has coordinated with the Center for Global health in leading this elective for the last five years and will again join the UW group visiting this spring. We often need additional faculty to work for two weeks or more in supervising medical students and providing care throughout the year.

The positions for UW students and residents fill up a year in advance, with scheduling for March and April of 2009 to begin early next year. If you are interested in learning more or signing up for this great opportunity, see the Hillside website at www.hillsidebelize.org or contact Dr. Shropshire at james.shropshire@uwmf.wisc.edu.