During its 20 year history, the Office of International Medicine Programs (IMP) at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) has collaborated with more than 90 partners in more than 50 countries. In 2010, IMP signed a letter of agreement with CEU-San Pablo University School of Medicine (USP) in Madrid, Spain to offer clinical electives, summer internships, and special projects for SMHS and USP medical students. With the help of Vidal-Vanaclocha, M.D., Ph.D., professor of human histology and cell biology and vice dean for research and international affairs, the collaboration has proven to be valuable to both the SMHS and USP communities in encouraging mutual learning and exchange. Vidal-Vanaclocha worked with Huda Ayas, Ed.D. ’06, MBA ’98, M.H.S.A. ’93, associate dean of international medicine and executive director of the Office of International Medicine Programs to create a translational research rotation and internship program for SMHS students — the first of its kind to be offered internationally to GW students. Additionally, Vidal-Vanaclocha serves as a mentor to students in the SMHS global health track, providing general guidance as students pursue their academic and professional goals in global health.
