International MD Program at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University

Author: Brittany Chan

The following post was sponsored by Vita-Salute San Raffaele University

What if you could get your MD in Milan, Italy, with classmates from all over the world? Here's something neat: The International MD Program at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. This unique new program promotes cultural awareness and humanity as well as excellent medical education in a society of increasing globalization. Half of the available positions each year are reserved for people from outside of the European Union. All classes are taught in English.

Here's some more information about the program:

Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is part of the San Raffaele Foundation which includes Hospitals, Research Centers and the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University.
San Raffaele is well known worldwide for its excellence: it is a highly specialized center for molecular medicine, diabetes and metabolic diseases, as well as biotechnology and bio-imaging.
The Hospital channels many of its resources into cancer treatment, cardiovascular diseases and numerous acute and chronic-degenerative diseases and a very efficient Emergency Department that serves a vast area.

The International MD Program builds on the institution’s solid presence on the international scene: San Raffaele healthcare centers can be found in many countries of the world, including Brazil, India, Uganda, Poland, Chile, Israel, Mozambique and Algeria.

MIT AgeLab

I have very fond memories of my days at MIT. So much has changed since those "stone ages." For instance, the MIT AgeLab (which was created in 1999) wasn't around when I was a student at MIT. Was it really that long ago?

The MIT AgeLab was created to invent new ideas and creatively translate technologies into practical solutions that improve people's health and enable them to "do things" throughout the lifespan. Based within MIT’s School of Engineering’s Engineering Systems Division, the AgeLab has assembled a multi-disciplinary and global team of researchers, business partners, universities, and the aging community to design, develop and deploy innovations to improve quality of life.

The lab uses these 3 principles:

1. Field Research
2. Theoretical Models
3. Laboratory Experiments

Today's MIT students have tremendous opportunities that we didn't have several decades ago. I envy them. If I could go back as a student again, I think I'd be spending so much time in the lab doing engineering research that I'd probably pursue a PhD and not an MD.

Professional Matchmaking

No, not the romantic type of matchmaking so please don't start getting any strange ideas. I met a medical school graduate who had some questions about life as an MD/JD. You don't have to be an MD/JD to understand legal medicine - there are some expert witness physicians who know the legal system inside and out. Since I don't have a law degree, I didn't feel qualified to answer the questions I was being asked. So, I directed this person to an MD/JD who I knew and did some matchmaking as a professional courtesy. The world of legal medicine is very broad and unless you've worked as a physician attorney, I don't think you'll have the right type of perspective to give advice and direction. LinkedIn is a great social network where you can meet and help other people.

The value of an M.D.

I've recently had some interesting discussions with college students interested in the healthcare industry. Some want to go into pharma marketing while others want to work in hospital management. The question often comes up: "Do I need to get an M.D., or am I better off pursuing a different degree like an M.B.A. or an M.P.H.?" The obvious answer may seem like "get both" - but I tell them that it really depends on what type of long-term goals they have for themselves.

For instance, if you mainly want to work in pharma marketing, you certainly don't need an MD. Having an MD may open certain doors and provide unique opportunities, but the vast majority of people working in the marketing arena are not physicians.

The road to an MD is a very long and expensive one. The time investment is huge. The financial commitment is significant. Think about your long-term goals and make sure that you know what you're getting yourself into. If you're interested in medicine, learn about the business of medicine and the healthcare industry. Understand how physicians work and live. Consider all the practical ramifications and then evaluate whether you should pursue medical school.

J Kim, MD, MPH

Those are my initials: J Kim, MD, MPH
or, more simply: JK, MD, MPH

There are obviously others who also have the same initials. Here are just a few:

Joe Kim, MD, MPH
http://www.csmc.edu/12988.html

John Kim, MD, MPH
http://www.baim.citymax.com/healers.html

Want to know how many people have J Kim, MD? That list seems endless...

MD and not DM; PhD and not DPh

I've been wondering, who came up with the suffix "MD" or "PhD"? Sometimes the D that stands for "doctor" goes at the front, while other times it goes at the end. Of course, the roots go back to the Latin phrases:

M.D., from the Latin Medicinae Doctor meaning "Teacher of Medicine"
Ph.D. for the Latin Philosophiæ Doctor, meaning "teacher of philosophy"
or D.Phil., for the equivalent Doctor Philosophiæ

Here are some common doctorate degrees:

MD = Doctor of Medicine
PhD = Doctor of Philosophy (also written as DPhil)
DPH = Doctor of Public Health
PsyD = Doctor of Psychology
DO = Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
OD = Doctor of Optometry
DSc or ScD = Doctor of Science
PharmD = Doctor of Pharmacy
DDS = Doctor of Dental Surgery
DMD = Doctor of Dental Medicine
DPM = Doctor of Podiatric Medicine