Founded in 2002, FIMRC is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve access to health care for families around the world.
With a team of more than 3,000 dedicated staff and volunteers worldwide, FIMRC – which stands for Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children – provides the leadership and support to achieve its mission of “improving access to health care for children in medically underserved communities.”
In all of its endeavors, FIMRC employs a three-pronged approach to ensure success. First, the organization assesses community members’ access to health care, such as clinics, and builds the necessary infrastructure to improve access. Second, it focuses on preventative health measures through health education programs that address local needs. Third, it rallies community members and volunteers from around the world to participate in its programs.
FIMRC’s global health programs are available both virtually and in-person. While there is a fee to participate in these programs, funds received from the virtual programs are used to support the organization’s on-site clinical and preventive health operations, according to FIMRC.
FIMRC’s Virtual Global Health Programs
FIMRC’s virtual global health programs aim to provide globally minded professionals and high school through college students with “real-world volunteer and fellowship experiences in resource-limited settings to turn global health theory into practical application.”
FIMRC runs four virtual global health programs, as follows:
- Global Health Essentials
Global Health Essentials is a 10-hour program that connects participants virtually with public health initiatives based on real FIMRC sites in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, India, Peru, Philippines and Uganda. By taking this course, participants gain insight into the health challenges faced by a particular community and the way FIMRC works with the community to improve health care.
This is a self-guided program, and participants may choose to combine it with clinical observation opportunities.
- Foundations in Global Health
FIMRC’s Virtual Foundations in Global Health is a two-part program that allows participants to “apply theoretical knowledge to real-life application through FIMRC operations at different sites around the world.”
Upon completion of the program, participants can dive deeper into a select field and learn how FIMRC, local governments and other organizations are working together to address challenges within that field. Participants can select a field from these tracks: maternal and child health, mosquito-borne Illness, environmental health, infectious disease, nutrition, chronic diseases, program development, global health management, vaccinations and immunizations, and epidemics and pandemics.
- Student Explorer Program
FIMRC’s virtual Student Explorer Program allows high school students to explore global health careers in 48 hours.
The program connects participants with globally focused individuals, including professionals, on the ground to impart real-world experience. Participants also learn from their peers and gain clinical exposure through case study reviews led by medical professionals.
Participants may supplement this program with clinical observation opportunities.
- Clinical Observation Program
FIMRC’s virtual Clinical Observation Program gives participants the opportunity to connect with in-person clinical operations at multiple sites.
Participants learn about a site’s clinical operations through primary care consultations, psychology sessions, pharmacy operations, and focus on non-communicable disease treatment and management.
Clinical observations’ availability varies based on internet access at individual sites, maintaining patient confidentiality, and site schedules.
FIMRC’s Global Health Volunteer Program
FIMRC’s Global Health Volunteer Program (GHVP) is an international program that welcomes individual and group volunteers.
Those interested can volunteer in-person at any time and for any length of time.
Volunteers work alongside FIMRC staff members and medical professionals who are on the front lines of providing health care to underserved communities across the world.
Currently, due to limitations imposed by the pandemic, Project Alajuelita in Costa Rica is the only site available for in-person volunteering.
Volunteers are housed through FIMRC’s Homestay Program, whose host families provide three home-cooked meals each day. FIMRC also arranges for transportation.
How Students Can Support FIMRC
High school and college students can support FIMRC by joining (or starting) FIMRC chapters on campus. Currently, there are more than 60 active FIMRC chapters across the United States and internationally.
FIMRC chapters play a critical role in supporting its mission to improve the health of thousands of children worldwide. Members get involved by raising funds for special medical projects, coordinating volunteer groups to travel to FIMRC clinic sites, raising awareness of public health, and providing service in their own communities.
Students who want to start a club to support FIMRC can easily do so with TUN’s Club in a Box community tool. TUN’s group features are private, free and designed to build communities so students can easily create, grow and maintain their clubs.
Students can also donate to FIMRC here.
Follow FIMRC on TUN
Students and educators can also follow FIMRC on TUN to get news, learn about upcoming public health initiatives and volunteer opportunities, and find additional ways to help your community with FIMRC!
