The Family Medicine Cares International program consists of the following opportunities:
Video from the 2023 FMCI Delegation to the Dominican Republic
June 1-August 31: Scholarship (Resident or Early Career) application period
June 1-November 1: General volunteer application period
The annual delegation trip is a one-week volunteer opportunity that includes both medical and non-medical individuals. The FMCI delegation members focus on many efforts during their time and may divide into specific teams to accomplish multiple projects. Some focus on treating patients, others on delivering medical education and training, and others on connecting with the local children and youth.
2023 Delegation Highlights
2022 Delegation Highlights
Video from the 2022 FMCI Delegation to the Dominican Republic
The Medical Education component provides resources and support for the development of family medicine through relationships with the medical schools and family medicine residency programs in the Dominican Republic. In addition to supporting the development of family medicine, this program component provides continuing medical education for family physicians and general practice physicians.
A Medical Education Team is selected in advance and may prepare (depending on the need of our in-country partners) the following in-country activities:
The Patient Care program component allows licensed physicians and residents (under physician supervision) to attend to or provide follow-up care to patients in the Batey community clinics in the Dominican Republic.
The Service Team focuses on children and youth and seeks to improve the quality of life and the health of children and youth in the Dominican Republic. It also allows non-medical delegation members to participate in meaningful volunteer activities including:
Funding is provided by the Dr. David and Karen Smith Humanitarian Fund.
The AAFP Foundation provides a scholarship for one family medicine resident or early career physician to be part of the Family Medicine Cares International annual delegation trip.
The scholarship covers the following:
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please click here to learn more about the requirements/criteria and FMCI delegation overview.
The 2024 Delegation to the Dominican Republic is February 10-17. For information about volunteering for a one-week deployment, please review the FMCI Delegation Overview or email Family Medicine Cares International Staff.
If you would like to be part of this rewarding work, please consider making a donation. Your donation makes a difference in the lives of those in need, at home and around the world.