Partners in Health (PIH) » Internship and Fellowship Programs

Internship and Fellowship Programs

Partners In Health is built upon a foundation of volunteerism and has strived, since its inception, to cultivate a concerted movement of people and communities dedicated to fighting poverty, social injustices and health inequities. As we explore the best and most enriching ways to create both hands-on volunteer experiences and the space for engagement in issues of social justice and health equity, we also are committed to staying true to our core principles, particularly our goal of building capacity and equity by providing jobs and training in the communities we serve.

To move towards better achieving our goal of bringing the fruits of modern medicine to those who need it most, we hope to engage volunteers from around the world and to bring on supporters of all kinds who are dedicated to fighting for justice and equity. Below we’ve outlined the many opportunities, both domestic and international, for involvement with PIH. We also encourage you to explore the many other ways you can take action to support our work.
Programs Hosted by PIH
PIH Institute for Health and Social Justice Summer Internship Program



Meet our IHSJ Interns:

* Summer 2010 Interns
* Summer 2009 Interns
* Summer 2008 Interns
* Summer 2007 Interns

Every year, PIH's research and advocacy arm, the Institute for Health and Social Justice (IHSJ) hosts a summer internship program for a select number of students and professionals early in their careers who are interested in learning about current issues in health and social justice. In addition to working on individual projects, summer interns have a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about PIH and gain practical exposure to the administration of a non-governmental organization through interactions with staff members, movie and book discussions, and social activities.

In collaboration with a staff mentor, each intern will complete a project or support a core function of the organization. Projects are based on PIH’s programmatic needs and span all different facets of the organization. Examples of past intern projects range from developing content for PIH’s website and newsletter to researching and writing position papers on key PIH advocacy issues, to working with our Electronic Medical Records team to improve patient data collection. Interns will also be expected to assist with administrative tasks.

The internship will run from Monday, June 6 to Friday, August 12, 2011 and will be based at the PIH offices in Boston. The minimum time commitment is 24 hours (3 workdays) per week, and we ask that you be present for the entire duration of the internship. The internship is unpaid, and we are unable to offer or organize housing or transportation.

Apply for a Summer 2011 Internship.

All application materials are due Friday, February 18, 2011 at midnight EST. You will receive an email confirmation once your application has been submitted. Late applications will not be accepted. All applicants will be notified of our decision by Friday, April 1, 2011 and we are unable to provide information before that date. If you have a specific question not addressed here, please contact internship@pih.org.
PIH/Inshuti Mu Buzima Summer Internships in Rwanda

PIH's sister organization Inshuti Mu Buzima (IMB) hosts a summer intern program in Rwanda. Interns are selected to work on a variety of projects, ranging from research to clinical to program support. Ideal candidates will be available for three months between May and August. These are unpaid volunteer positions, and we expect applicants will cover their own airfare, as well as a small contribution for food and housing during their stay with IMB.

The deadline for applying for a Summer 2011 internship has passed. The application for Summer 2012 internships will be available in late 2011. Those who applied for a Summer 2011 position will be notified of our decision by Friday, March 4, 2011. Due to the volume of applications we receive for volunteer positions, we kindly ask you to refrain from contacting the PIH office in Boston to inquire about the status of your application or the interview process. If you have a specific question not addressed here, please contact rwandavolunteers@pih.org.
PIH Semester Internships

Once a semester (fall, winter and spring), PIH accepts applicants for the various project descriptions posted on the website. Projects are posted based on the needs of PIH staff, both at our sites and in Boston. Applicants with the appropriate skill sets and availability work directly with a staff member or team. Although there is no formal enrichment component to semester internships, interns will have the opportunity to gain insight into the day-to-day functioning of a non-governmental organization by interacting with staff and by attending meetings and events.

No internship projects are currently available. Please check back at a later date.
Independent Research Projects

PIH does not have the capacity to supervise independent research projects. However, academic credit can be provided at the discretion of the supervising staff member.
Programs Affiliated with PIH

PIH works in partnership with a variety of other organizations, both in the United States and in the countries where we work. Below is a list of opportunities at these affiliate organizations.
Children's Hospital Boston Global Pediatric Fellowship

Children’s Hospital Boston is looking for excellent pediatricians or graduating senior pediatric residents who would be interested in applying for a global pediatric fellowship, which would involve a field placement in Haiti with Partners In Health. The position would involve: developing strong productive relationships with our Haitian colleagues to identify core challenges to quality pediatric care and devising a collaborative plan for improvement; accompanying Haitian health care workers in developing their capacity to implement new program initiatives and quality care interventions; and sharing clinical expertise at the bedside and through didactic teaching. More information about this fellowship and how to apply.
GlobeMed Chapter Founders

GlobeMed is a network of university students who partner with grassroots organizations around the world to improve the health of people living in poverty. The GlobeMed network includes dozens of chapters at university campuses throughout the country with partners that span the world from Liberia to Nepal. Working together in solidarity, these partnerships have supported programs including community health worker trainings in Guatemala, maternal health education in rural Rwanda and income-generating initiatives in Uganda. The organization periodically seeks passionate and committed undergraduate students who are interested in bringing GlobeMed to their university. Working alongside GlobeMed students from across the country, join a movement of thousands of students who are dedicating their time and energy to advancing the movement for global health equity. Please visit www.imagine2030.org to find out more about GlobeMed and their incredible leadership opportunities.
Village Health Works Internships

Village Health Works (VHW) is a not-for-profit organization based in the U.S. and operating in the East African nation of Burundi whose mission is to create healthy, self-sufficient individuals by building a model of quality, compassionate healthcare in Burundi while permanently uprooting the underlying causes of illness and disease. We are building an excellent team of people who are willing to donate their valuable time and skills to help build our work in Burundi. If you’re willing to get your hands dirty and learn an enormous amount in the process, please take a look at the current list of internship positions. For more information about any of these exciting opportunities please contact info@villagehealthworks.org.
Harvard School of Public Health’s François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights

As the first academic center to focus exclusively on health and human rights, the FXB Center combines research and policy development with a specific commitment to children’s wellbeing. Summer interns are given significant responsibilities within the Center’s various projects. Former interns include medical and public health students as well as students with experience in law, community service, and environmental advocacy. Recent graduates and candidates with multidisciplinary interests are welcome to apply at http://www.harvardfxbcenter.org/.
Brigham and Women’s Division of Global Health Equity (DGHE) Residency Program

The Division of Global Health Equity has addressed the need for a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare by launching, in 2004, a novel residency program that combines rigorous training in internal medicine with the advanced study of public health. Through the Doris and Howard Hiatt Residency in Global Health Equity and Internal Medicine, dedicated young physicians are able to obtain the medical and non-medical skills they need to improve the health of some of the world’s most impoverished people.

The Doris and Howard Hiatt Residency in Global Health Equity and Internal Medicine is a four-year program that leads to eligibility for certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and completion of a Masters Degree in Public Health through the Harvard School of Public Health. Potential applicants must first apply to the Internal Medicine Residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Accepted applicants may then submit an application to the Global Health Equity Residency in November of their first postgraduate year. For additional details and application information, please visit: http://www.brighamandwomens.org/socialme...eresidency.aspx
Global Health Nursing Fellowship

In partnership with Brigham and Women’s nursing department and Division of Global Health Equity, Partners In Health launched the Global Health Nursing Fellowship, in September 2006, to help address access and equity in health care for the global community. The fellowship offers the opportunity for BWH nurses to participate in clinical rotations at care sites in impoverished communities around the world that encompass fieldwork, research and development of new models of care. PIH hosted the first Global Health Nurse Fellow at our site in Rwanda. The placement of additional nurse fellows is subject to change based on funding and needs at the sites.
Global Health Corps Fellows

The Global Health Corps (GHC) aims to strengthen the movement for global health equity and improve the quality of healthcare services for the poor by connecting outstanding young leaders with organizations working on the front lines in the fight for global health. Partners In Health is one of Global Health Corps’ partner organizations and will host four fellows at two of our sites in Rwanda and at our site in Boston, Massachusetts in the program’s first year. The scope of this partnership is subject to change based on needs at the sites and the success of the model. For more information and applications, visit http://ghcorps.org.