Resident Travel Requirements
Graduate Medical Education and The Office of Global Health Education require residents and fellows to complete pre-travel requirements and receive both GME and OGHE approval before departing the U.S. The GME office requires all forms (see step 1) to be completed and approved at least 90 days prior to departure from the U.S. OGHE requires all steps (steps 2-7) completed at least 4 weeks prior to departure. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of travel and funding.
For questions regarding the GME requirements, contact Sarah Gonzalez.
For questions regarding the OGHE requirements, contact OGHE.
GME and OGHE/UNCH Requirements
Residents and Fellows should reach out to their program leadership (program director and/or program coordinator to initiate the process of requesting approval for the global health program.
If the program approves, the resident/fellow should start completing the paperwork (as appropriate from the list below) for GME approval.
Forms must be completed, signed and returned to the GME Office at least 90 days prior to the departure date.
- UNC Residents International Rotation Policy – This is an overview of requirements, Sections A-11 and C-3. refer to the resident reporting to Occupational Health Services before and (if necessary) after travel.
- Letter of Agreement between UNC Health Care System and Host Institution – Template for letter mentioned in Section III of above rotation policy. Each traveling resident is required to obtain the signatures of their UNC program director and host site (the host site signature must come from the onsite preceptor or person who will be present to supervise the resident) and sign and return to the GME Office. GME will then obtain the signature of UNC Hospitals Vice President.
- Voluntary Participation and Assumption of Risk Agreement – Note that in Section 3. the “issue date” refers to the U.S. Department of States’ destination-site issued travel risks. No notary or witness required. Residents/fellows sign the form and leave the signature section for the UNC Health Care System blank and submit to the GME Office. GME will obtain the necessary signature.
- Special Projects Professional Liability Form – Required for all away rotations to be insured for professional liability coverage, obtain signature of residency program director and return to the GME Office. GME will obtain the signature of UNC Hospitals Vice President and Chair of the Liability Insurance Council.
- Letter from Program Director for Non-Clinical Away Rotations – Only required if your rotation does not involve any direct patient care.
- Resident Physician Global Health Elective End of Elective Assessment by On-Site Supervisor – Supervisor completes and resident returns to Resident’s Program Coordinator or Program Director at the end of the elective/program.
Travel Exemptions are mandatory for all travelers and are now handled by UNC Global. Please follow instructions on this link (School of Medicine). Questions should be directed to Alexander Gilliatt with UNC Global.
Please complete the travel registration form for the information required for travel health insurance, to give your emergency contact info, and to sign the code of conduct.
OGHE will order travel health insurance close to the date of the travels. OGHE will contact you if we have any questions on the information provided on the form. If your travel changes (dates, or location), please contact OGHE. OGHE will will cover your insurance up to 60 days.
Generally one week prior to departure, you will receive an email (from: customerservice@geo-blue.com) with your ID card. Print it! (check your spam/junk folder).
Please purchase Before or After Travel Health Insurance Coverage for personal travel ONLY after you receive the email from GeoBlue to print your ID card.
- Hospital-paid Residents/Subspecialty Residents submit the COMPLETED OHS Pre-Appointment Form for Traveling Residents via email to Nina.Ivie@unchealth.unc.edu and Tracy.Watson@unchealth.unc.edu and Barbara.Kaczmarski@unchealth.unc.edu. You will receive a confirmation email that this form has been received. Once the form has been reviewed by Occupational Health, you will be contacted with an appointment date and time. Please note: Appointments will not be scheduled same day and generally will not be scheduled that same week due to previous standing appointments. Failure to secure an appointment with OHS within a minimum of 4 weeks from your departure date may result in official residency travel being prohibited.
- University-paid Residents/Subspecialty Residents should go through the University Employee Health Services and should complete the online Travel Immunization form, and fax to UEOHC at 919-966-6337 after which you will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
Download CDC-recommended Mobile apps for vaccines, packing lists, and what not to eat while abroad
Submit proof of your travel appointment meeting via the Travel Health Clinic Confirmation Form to oghe@med.unc.edu or drop it off in 3319 Roper Hall.
Contact OGHE for the access codes and instructions for these.
- CFHI Health and Safety Recording (REQUIRED)
- CFHI Reflection Recording (recommended)
- Pillars of Global Health, online training (recommended). Watch the video describing the Pillars of Global Health online training.
Register your travel dates with the U.S. Department of State. This will alert the United States Department of State to your presence in your travel location and will allow you to receive timely alerts and warnings before and during your travel dates.
Read and Print (2 copies) the UNC Emergency Plan for Resident Physicians during international travel. Leave one copy with a family member in the U.S. Save a backup on email or Google Drive.
Submit the Resident Physician Global Health Elective End of Elective Assessment by On-Site Supervisor – Supervisor completes and resident returns to Resident/Fellow’s Program Coordinator or Program Director at the end of the elective/program.
Please submit the OGHE program evaluation no later than 30 days upon your return.