An international volunteer program for general surgery residents at Brown Medical School: the Tenwek Hospital Africa experience.

M D t urgical training programs provide the structure for young hysicians to become thoughtful, responsible, and aware ttending surgeons; aware not only of the latest operative echniques and equipment, but also of the profound socital responsibility that comes with surgical training. For any years, opportunities have existed for general surgery esidents to participate in medical volunteer work in Amerca and abroad. In the past, complaints of time constraints, ost, lack of volunteer site supervision, concerns for resient safety, and institutional resident coverage issues were ited as barriers to such participation. Now, there is a growng call for surgical residents to volunteer in developing ommunities, not only because it benefits the community, ut also because it enriches the residents’ learning xperience. The Brown Medical School Department of Surgery has ffered the Africa/Tenwek Hospital surgical elective to one r two third-year residents annually for the past 8 years, ith 13 total resident participants. The option of particiating in the Tenwek rotation is presented to second-year ategorical residents, with detailed information about the otation available. Generally, three or four of the five resients express an interest in the rotation. Those not desiring o participate usually cite personal or family issues as the eason for not wanting to spend time in Africa. The final ecision on selection of two residents is left to the discreion of the residency program director. Resident travel and iving expenses are covered by the interest earned on a 100,000 trust fund established by the Brown Medical chool Department of Surgery at the inception of the Tenek Hospital rotation. While at Tenwek Hospital, the res-