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International Medical Aid - IMA

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International Medical Aid - IMA

International Medical Aid provides students and institutions community-based global health education. What if the necessary medicine isn't available?

Founded by Johns Hopkins alumni, International Medical Aid works with pre-health students across multiple disciplines, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, mental health and physical therapy, to provide experiences that will further your preparation for medical school and graduate healthcare programs. IMA partners with leading academic institutions in the United States, Canada, and Europe to facilitate study abroad trips and internship opportunities. Our healthcare internship programs provide pre-health students hands-on experience through intensive clinical shadowing, service learning, didactic experiences, and expert admissions support. Combined, these elements build the foundation that medical and related healthcare programs are looking for in applicants. International Medical Aid works with underserved communities in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. We bring healthcare where it otherwise might not go, improving lives and providing valuable shadowing experiences to pre-health students. We focus our efforts in areas where there is the greatest need. Our programs impact the lives of everyone involved--patients, providers and students. Early exposure to these settings is critical for students who might not otherwise consider providing medicine to rural communities. Plus, opportunities like this are once-in-a-lifetime and will provide content for your medical school essays and a competitive edge for some of the best medical programs in the country. You'll also form lifelong friendships and connections that can prove vital to your long-term success in the medical field. IMA also partners with local communities and professionals to develop grass-roots initiatives that are led by individuals in the community. Through local engagement, IMA helps improve the quality of the healthcare that is provided to specific regions. Our Global Health Lecture Series helps pre-med students understand the differences that run throughout the healthcare system and affect how treatments are delivered to patients. Our Clinical Simulation Sessions teach interns basic healthcare through simulated experiences. Interns practice suturing, drawing blood, managing airways, and injecting medications on mannequins. Normally, this kind of experience doesn't come until much later during a medical student's education. Finally, our Community Outreach Program educates and gives resources to members of the community, allowing individuals to take better control of their health. This includes field medical clinics and hygiene education sessions that cover topics like hand and oral hygiene. Providing medicine to remote areas and underserved communities has allowed IMA, our doctors, and our pre-health students to make an impact in the lives of individuals who need medical treatment or who need to improve their health through simple measures. You'll have first-hand experiences with conditions that most doctors don't get to treat in remote areas. You'll work in settings where instruments need to be sterilized before surgery. Having experience in the developing world will prepare you for a career in medicine like nothing else. Getting into medical school is a difficult and complex process. You're competing with other highly qualified candidates who have the same dreams you do. Displaying your passion for science through working with IMA will prove just how much you love medicine. While EMTs, nurse's aids and ER techs gain valuable experience that will help them in medical school, IMA interns get more. Remote medicine stretches you and allows you to grow in ways you wouldn't otherwise experience. What if a clinic runs out of a life-saving medicine before treatment has been completed? What if the right tests can't be run to confirm a suspected diagnosis? These are issues that medical doctors face on a daily basis. Your unique experiences will put you in a very small group of applicants that stand out to medical schools and other graduate healthcare programs. Our alumni have been accepted to programs at Harvard University, Stanford University, UCSF, and the Mayo Clinic. So, are you looking for a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime experience shadowing doctors in remote areas of the world? Consider going on an internship with International Medical Aid.

02/14/2026

Earlier this week, we conducted a Women’s Health Education Session at Mtepeni Secondary School, at our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—bringing together a group of girls to discuss the realities of managing their health in school.

Mtepeni Secondary School is a mixed boarding school serving mainly local families, with boys and girls in separate dormitories while sharing classrooms and common spaces. For the girls, school life comes with unique challenges: managing menstrual health within structured schedules, navigating shared dorm rooms, maintaining hygiene in communal facilities, and balancing discomfort with academic and social responsibilities. These realities—often unspoken—can affect confidence, focus, and participation.

Because the session was exclusively for the girls, the discussion was candid and practical. Students reflected on handling exam periods, managing cramps while maintaining responsibilities, and supporting one another in their shared living spaces. We addressed misconceptions directly, explained cycle tracking and signs that warrant medical attention, and shared strategies for maintaining hygiene in shared spaces.

What stood out was their attentiveness and readiness to ask questions that are rarely voiced. The dialogue created clarity and reassurance, equipping them with knowledge and practical approaches they can apply immediately in their daily routines. At IMA, we believe health education should respond to real contexts. When girls are informed and empowered, they build stronger support systems—starting within their school residences and extending beyond the school gates.

02/12/2026

We celebrate our December–January Cohort, who recently completed their internships at our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—after fully immersing themselves in the realities of hospital-based care. During their program, interns rotated through Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital—Kenya’s second-largest public hospital and the highest-level referral hospital serving the coastal region of East Africa—navigating outpatient clinics, busy wards, and specialized units, each offering a unique lens into patient care within a high-volume public hospital.
In the outpatient clinics, interns moved through core departments, supporting patient intake, observing consultations, and following cases that required thoughtful prioritization and collaboration with nurses, physicians, and support teams. In these fast-paced spaces, they witnessed how coordination and clear communication keep care responsive and patient-centered.

For those in specialized outpatient rotations—including mental health, physical therapy, and occupational therapy—the pace shifted. These settings highlighted continuity of care, structured follow-ups, and steady recovery. Through therapy sessions, counseling reviews, and rehabilitation exercises, interns observed how consistency, trust, and small milestones can shape long-term outcomes.

Across all rotations, the cohort developed a stronger understanding of how departments interconnect and rely on teamwork, documentation, and shared responsibility. Moving between high-volume general care and focused specialty clinics, they gained a well-rounded appreciation for multidisciplinary healthcare delivery.

To our interns: congratulations on completing this chapter. You leave Mombasa with meaningful exposure, a strengthened global health perspective, and insight into the collaborative systems that sustain patient care every day. We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited to see what comes next!

02/11/2026

For many aspiring healthcare professionals, seeing how medicine works in a resource-limited setting is eye-opening. It’s one thing to read about global health challenges, and another to witness them firsthand—where supplies are limited, patient volumes are high, and every decision requires adaptability, creativity, and teamwork.

At our flagship sites in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—and South America—Cusco, Peru—our interns experience this reality up close. Shadowing local medical teams, they observe clinicians problem-solving in real time, balancing priorities under pressure, and collaborating to deliver compassionate care despite systemic constraints. Every moment is a lesson in resilience, critical thinking, and practical innovation.

Interns quickly realize that impact isn’t measured only in treatments administered or tests completed. It’s found in quick thinking when resources are scarce—and in the way teams support each other to ensure patient care continues. These experiences sharpen problem-solving skills, build confidence, and instill a deep appreciation for healthcare systems that function under very different circumstances.

The insight gained in these settings becomes a foundation for any future healthcare provider. By witnessing, reflecting, and learning alongside skilled professionals, interns develop adaptability, perspective, and teamwork that will guide their clinical decision-making for years to come.

Ready to expand your understanding of healthcare beyond the classroom? Learn more about our immersive Global Health Internships and study abroad programs at medicalaid.org, and see how stepping into real-world challenges can transform your journey into medicine.

02/09/2026

For many pre-clinical interns, stepping into a hospital for the first time is both exciting and quietly challenging. They witness real patients, complex systems, and moments of vulnerability. In these spaces, how one shows up matters just as much as simply being present.

At IMA, ethical learning is a core part of the clinical internship experience. At our flagship sites in East Africa and South America, interns are guided in responsible observation in a global health setting before entering any ward. This includes respecting patient privacy, understanding consent, and recognizing professional boundaries. Pre-clinical internships are not about hands-on care; they focus on understanding how healthcare teams communicate, how patient flow is managed, and how care is delivered within real-world constraints. Interns are encouraged to observe thoughtfully, ask questions, and document their experiences clearly—yet they often encounter situations that raise unexpected ethical questions.

To ground these experiences in globally recognized best practices, IMA structures its pre-clinical internships in alignment with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) guidelines, emphasizing professionalism and reflective practice. Through organized Clinical Debriefing Sessions, interns explore moments such as observing without intervening, navigating emotional complexity, and balancing learning with responsibility.

By the end of the experience, interns leave with insights grounded in perspective. They can describe what they observed, articulate ethical boundaries in clinical spaces, and understand that global health work demands both critical thinking and intentional action. At IMA, we believe the strongest healthcare practitioners begin as thoughtful observers, guided by ethics, purpose, and a readiness to serve responsibly in a global health landscape.

02/06/2026

Every routine has a reason behind it—or sometimes, it’s a habit we’ve never stopped to question. At Miche Bora Primary School, located at our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—we recently conducted a Hygiene Education Session that invited learners to reflect on and rethink their everyday hygiene practices.

The session began with simple but revealing questions about daily routines: when learners wash their hands, where they usually wash them, why they brush their teeth, and how long it takes. As responses emerged, common patterns became clear—hands rinsed quickly between classes, toothbrushes used only briefly, and hygiene practiced mainly when dirt was visible. These honest answers guided the conversation, helping interns identify which habits to explore further and which misunderstandings to gently address.

From there, interns engaged learners through practical demonstrations. They broke down proper handwashing and toothbrushing step by step, explaining the purpose of each action and when it matters most. Learners followed along, practiced the techniques themselves, and asked thoughtful questions as they compared familiar routines with new approaches. What began as habit gradually transformed into understanding.

By turning everyday routines into opportunities for learning, the session equipped learners with skills they can carry into daily life. These simple yet informed practices support healthier days, fewer missed lessons, and a stronger sense of responsibility for personal care—while also reinforcing broader public health outcomes by helping reduce preventable illness, limit the spread of infection in classrooms and at home, and strengthen community-wide health and well-being.

02/04/2026

Healthcare doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it lives within the stories, traditions, and daily lives of the people we serve. At International Medical Aid, we guide interns to discover these stories firsthand. Through authentic and intentional cultural immersion at our flagship sites in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—and South America—Cusco, Peru—interns experience the rhythm of local life while connecting it directly to the healthcare challenges and triumphs they witness.

Guided lectures introduce interns to local history, society, and health systems, helping them see how culture, policy, and community values shape well-being. Cultural treks bring these lessons to life—whether exploring bustling markets, visiting heritage sites, or walking through nature sanctuaries—where interns observe how environment and lifestyle influence health every day. Themed experiences, such as Swahili Night or traditional Peruvian gatherings, immerse interns in local music, cuisine, and storytelling, creating moments of connection that go beyond observation.

This immersion changes the way interns approach healthcare. It teaches them to see patients as whole people, shaped by culture, environment, and history. It inspires empathy, curiosity, and adaptability—qualities that cannot be learned from a textbook alone. Each lecture, trek, and shared meal deepens understanding, equipping interns with a perspective that strengthens every clinical encounter.

At IMA, cultural immersion is a foundation of the program. By experiencing life alongside the communities they serve, interns gain insights that transform their global healthcare journey—fostering culturally competent, compassionate providers who can make a lasting impact wherever they go.

02/03/2026

We are truly grateful to everyone who came together to make our recent Community Medical Clinic at Takaungu Clinic possible. Conducted at our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—the day reflected what can happen when communities and healthcare teams show up for one another. From early morning preparations to the final patient seen, over six hundred individuals accessed essential care in a single day—a clear reflection of both the need for services and the trust within the community.

For the second time in under six months, International Medical Aid returned to this community, continuing a growing partnership rooted in consistency and care. In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the clinic also provided cervical cancer screening for one hundred women and prostate screening for over fifty men. These services created opportunities for early detection, informed conversations, and proactive steps toward long-term health.

This clinic was shaped by collaboration at every level. We are deeply thankful to the Kilifi County Government, and to the oncologists, surgeons, doctors, interns, and staff whose shared commitment ensured that each patient was welcomed, guided, and treated with respect. Beyond screenings and consultations, there were moments of reassurance, education, and connection that defined the day.

We leave Takaungu Clinic encouraged by what sustained partnerships and community trust can achieve. Every interaction reinforced a simple truth: meaningful healthcare is built together—through presence, partnership, and a shared commitment to healthier communities.

02/01/2026

Understanding your body is the first step to taking charge of your health. When students can recognize what’s normal—and what needs attention—they gain knowledge, confidence, and greater control over their well-being.

Recently, at our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—we hosted a Women’s Health Education Session at Khadija Secondary School, centered on a question many young women carry quietly: How do I know what’s normal in my body? When changes go unexplained, uncertainty can take hold and shape how students relate to their health. This session created space for clarity, reassurance, and informed understanding.

With guidance from our interns, students explored common bodily changes and learned how to identify signs that may require medical attention. Through open discussion, they practiced self-awareness—learning to notice patterns, listen to their bodies, and take ownership of health decisions. The conversations emphasized confidence, responsibility, and comfort in seeking routine check-ups as part of long-term well-being.

As the dialogue deepened, students recognized that understanding their bodies helps them make informed choices, advocate for themselves, and support one another. The session sparked curiosity and honest conversation, encouraging students to ask questions, share experiences, and normalize learning about reproductive health. These early habits of observation and communication help create a culture where young women feel empowered to care for their health—and to seek guidance with confidence whenever they need it.

Our Women’s Health Education Sessions lay the foundation for lifelong awareness, proactive care, and self-advocacy. By equipping young women with knowledge, confidence, and access to trusted guidance, we help build a future where understanding and caring for their bodies becomes second nature.

01/30/2026

Recently, at our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—our interns led a Mental Health Awareness Clinic at Kwabulo Secondary School, creating a space where students could rethink what mental health really means. Rather than something addressed only in moments of crisis, the session emphasized that well-being is shaped every day through our habits, the way we relate to ourselves and others, and the small, consistent choices we make.

Through open, thoughtful conversations, students explored how stress, family dynamics, pressure, and grief quietly influence their lives—and how noticing these feelings early is a sign of strength. Our interns guided discussions with empathy, answering questions, sharing practical strategies, and encouraging students to view care, self-awareness, and reaching out as everyday tools—not reactions to emergencies.

Students engaged actively, reflecting on their own routines and identifying ways to build mental resilience in their daily lives. The energy in the room was tangible: curiosity sparked dialogue, and personal stories were met with understanding and encouragement. Moments like these reminded both interns and students that mental health is a shared responsibility, and that fostering it creates stronger, more connected communities.

By framing mental health as an ongoing practice rather than a reactive measure, the clinic empowered students to carry these lessons into their daily lives. Learn more about our outreach initiatives and how International Medical Aid interns are shaping the conversation on mental well-being in East Africa.

01/24/2026

Good habits formed early can shape a lifetime of health and confidence. For children, understanding the importance of hygiene helps prevent illness and gives them the tools to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
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At our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—International Medical Aid interns recently led a Hygiene Education Session at Sparki Comprehensive Primary School. Through hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities, students explored proper handwashing, toothbrushing, and other daily hygiene practices that form the foundation of good health.
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Interns engaged with students through lively demonstrations, encouraging participation, answering questions, and creating a supportive learning environment. Children practiced new skills, received personal hygiene kits to reinforce lessons at home, and gained a clearer understanding of how small daily habits can prevent disease and protect themselves and their families.
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Early health education plays a crucial role in strengthening learning outcomes. When children feel healthy and confident in their bodies, they are better able to focus in the classroom, participate fully in school activities, and develop the resilience needed to succeed. By connecting hygiene practices with real-life benefits, interns helped students see how knowledge empowers them to take charge of their own well-being.
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Fostering good hygiene habits early helps build stronger families, healthier communities, and a generation better equipped to prevent illness before it starts. For our interns, leading these lessons is both a hands-on educational experience and a meaningful way to support sustainable public health—strengthening community resilience and seeing firsthand how simple knowledge, shared with care, can create lasting change.

01/23/2026

Access to healthcare can be life-changing when it meets people where they are. For many communities, the difference between unmet needs and timely care is simply a matter of proximity, trust, and opportunity.

At our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—our interns supported a Community Medical Clinic at Amani Primary School, delivering essential healthcare services directly to an underserved community. By bringing care into a familiar and accessible space, the clinic removed common barriers such as distance, cost, and limited resources, allowing individuals and families to seek care with dignity and ease.

Throughout the clinic, interns moved beyond observation and into active participation. Working closely alongside local healthcare professionals, they assisted with patient screenings, supported consultations, and guided patients through follow-up care. From taking vital signs and organizing patient flow to answering questions and offering reassurance, interns played a meaningful role in each patient's experience while gaining firsthand exposure to community-based healthcare delivery.

The clinic also created space for learning and reassurance. As patients moved through screenings and consultations, interns and healthcare providers offered guidance, answered questions, and helped patients better understand their care. These interactions supported confidence and clarity, reminding individuals and families that health education is a key part of long-term well-being.

The impact of the Community Medical Clinic at Amani Primary School extended far beyond a single day. By prioritizing early screening, preventive care, and accessible health education, the clinic strengthened families, fostered trust, and contributed to the community's long-term well-being. Through experiences like this, International Medical Aid interns deepen their understanding of global health equity while helping build sustainable, community-driven healthcare solutions that create lasting change.

01/20/2026

Every girl deserves the opportunity to understand her body and the changes it goes through. Knowledge can transform fear and confusion into confidence and empowerment. At our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—we recently conducted a Women’s Health Education Session at Mohamed Ali Girls Secondary School, creating a safe space for students to ask the questions they often wished they had been able to ask sooner.

Students spoke openly about the gaps in health education they had carried for years. Many asked about irregular periods and whether they were a cause for concern. Others sought clarity on menstrual health and conditions like toxic shock syndrome—topics that are rarely explained in school. Some questioned long-held myths about pregnancy that had fueled fear, shame, or confusion instead of understanding.

The session made one thing clear: when accurate information is missing, uncertainty grows. Several students shared that they had normalized discomfort, dismissed symptoms, or relied on misinformation simply because they had never had a safe, supportive space to ask. Hearing these questions was a powerful reminder of how often girls are expected to navigate major changes in their bodies without guidance.

As the session continued, understanding began to replace doubt. Students reflected on how different their experiences might have been if these conversations had happened sooner—before myths took hold and before silence filled the gaps left by missing education.

At International Medical Aid, we are committed to creating spaces where young women can receive clear, respectful answers—helping them build self-awareness, confidence, and the ability to take charge of their health.

Learn more about our Global Health Initiatives and how you can get involved at medicalaid.org!

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