Pediatric Global Oncology and Blood Disorders Education (GLOBE) Program

The Pediatric Global Oncology and Blood Disorders Education (GLOBE) Program – part of the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Global Health Initiative – hosts visiting pediatricians and nurses from developing and underdeveloped countries. The GLOBE Program is an observership experience in which participants attend patient rounds and other clinical activities, as well as participate in teaching conferences under the supervision of a Dana-Farber/Boston Children's staff physician. During their stay, GLOBE Scholars are also expected to design or participate in a clinical, quality, or research project of their own under the mentorship of a Dana-Farber/Boston Children's staff physician or nurse.

The GLOBE Program accepts international pediatricians and nurses who have either already completed training in pediatric hematology and/or oncology or are in their last year of training and are committed to pursuing a career in the field of pediatric cancer and/or blood disorders. Priority is given to applicants from low- and middle-income countries (as defined by the World Bank Classification System), but applicants from high-income countries are eligible to apply as well. During the GLOBE Program, participants learn how pediatric oncology care is delivered in our institution, how our medical teams and departments are structured and interact, and how the latest diagnostic techniques and protocols are implemented in our Institution. The GLOBE Scholars are also encouraged to share their own experience and expertise with our trainees and staff.

The GLOBE Scholars can attend a minimum of one and a maximum of two consecutive service rotations. Each service rotation is four weeks long, during which each participant will be assigned to rotate through two of our five disease programs: (1) Benign Hematology, (2) Hematologic Malignancies, (3) Solid Tumors, (4) Neuro-Oncology, and (5) Stem Cell Transplantation. The GLOBE Scholar will work on a daily basis under the guidance and supervision of the service attending. In addition, each GLOBE Scholar will be paired with a clinician who will mentor the participant over the entire length of the program, meet the participant weekly, and oversee the participant’s individual project. We will do our best to meet the applicant’s requests for rotation in a specific service, but because we host national and international students and residents through other programs, placements are done based on availability.

Due to government regulations, international visiting physicians and nurses at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or Boston Children’s Hospital may only participate in clinical activities as observers. These regulations prevent Scholars from having direct patient care responsibilities. Despite this, Scholars may observe clinical interactions fully and participate in bedside didactic teaching and help other team members with tasks that, though part of patient care, are not considered direct care (for example, literature searches regarding a clinical problem, and protocol review). All GLOBE Scholars must comply with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital Observership Policies at all times.

Finally, it is important for applicants to realize that the GLOBE Program is an informal educational experience. It does not represent a formal subspecialty or fellowship training. Therefore, the GLOBE Scholars will receive a certificate of attendance describing their participation dates and activities, but will not receive any form of licensing or academic credit from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or Boston Children’s Hospital.

GLOBE Scholars have come from these countries:

Pediatric GLOBE Scholar Requirements

Required experience and qualifications

Physician candidates must:

• Have graduated from an accredited medical school and hold a medical degree.
• Be currently practicing in pediatric hematology and/or oncology; be currently practicing in an ancillary subspecialty with special interest in pediatric hematology and/or oncology; or be in their last year of pediatrics training and be committed to pursuing a career in the field of pediatric hematology and/or oncology.

Nursing candidates must:

• Have Bachelor (or higher) degree in Nursing
• Have at least two years of documented working experience in nursing
• Have at least two years of documented working experience in pediatrics or oncology or pediatric oncology
• Work at a public or non-profit hospital in a low- or middle-income country

Not eligible

• Undergraduate, graduate, or medical and nursing students of any discipline
• Physicians and nurses from United States of America; the GLOBE Program is intended only for international physicians and nurses
• Physicians and nurses from developing or underdeveloped countries not actively practicing pediatric oncology/hematology

National and international medical students may request more information and apply for clerkships at Harvard-affiliated hospitals through the Harvard Medical School Exchange Clerkship Program at: http://ecommons.med.harvard.edu/org.asp?exclerk

Other non-eligible applicants may visit the Boston Children’s Hospital Observership Program webpage to learn more and check their eligibility.

Language

Verbal and written English proficiency is mandatory for participation in the GLOBE Program. Proof of language proficiency, medical terminology, and an online interview (e.g., Skype) are required. It is expected that content in the GLOBE application reflects the applicant’s own work and independent critical thinking. If pre-selected, applicants are required to conduct the online interview independently without any form of external assistance (for example, online translation, translator, dictionary, etc.).

Visa

All international observers, who are not permanent residents or citizens of the U.S., must be in the U.S. on a tourist visa. Our Program does not sponsor anyone for the sole purpose of participating in the GLOBE Program or provide advice regarding visa status or requirements, which are determined by the U.S. State Department. We are able to provide a letter of acceptance to the GLOBE Program to help with the visa application process. Please note we do not assist or sponsor any part of the immigration process. For any questions or additional information about visas, please visit: travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

Travel and Accommodations

Scholars are responsible for all personal, travel, lodging, and transportation expenses that result from participation. We will provide a list of resources collected from past participants, but the list provided is neither exclusive nor exhaustive.

Fees and costs

• $2,000 – Non-negotiable observership fee (for physicians only)
• $600 – Approximate living expenses per week (housing, meals, and transportation)

Scholarship

We offer scholarships that cover some or all of the observership fee cost to applicants from low- and middle-income countries (as defined by the World Bank Classification System) who present a strong application and demonstrate financial hardship. Scholars receive a check upon arrival and are responsible for any costs and activities associated with processing the check.

Timeframe and deadlines

The GLOBE Program has durations of four to eight weeks. The participant’s stay cannot exceed eight weeks. The program runs twice a year – in the spring and fall.

The GLOBE Fall 2019 rotation will start on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 and run through Friday, October 11 (4 weeks for nurses, 6 for physicians). The application deadline is Friday, February 15, 2019 at midnight (EST).

• GLOBE Physician Application: www.jotform.com/GHIglobal/GLOBE
• GLOBE Nurse Application: www.jotform.com/GHIglobal/globe-nursing

Note: GLOBE participants must receive the appropriate immunizations prior to entering the United States. Please review the immunization requirements from both Dana-Farber and Boston Children's.

If you have questions, please email us at globe@dfci.harvard.edu.