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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.

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!

01/15/2026

Returning to school after a long holiday can bring a mix of excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty. Many students carry experiences, challenges, or emotions from the break that are not always easy to process. At our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—we recently conducted a Mental Health Awareness Clinic at MariMani Secondary School, creating a welcoming and supportive space for students to pause, reflect, and share the challenges they faced during the holiday period.

Through guided discussions, interactive activities, and one-on-one conversations, students were encouraged to express their thoughts openly, explore their emotions, and recognize that the feelings they were experiencing were normal and shared by others. Many reflected on changes in their home lives, academic pressure, and the adjustments that come with returning to routine. Taking the time to pause and process these experiences allowed students to approach the new term with greater clarity, balance, and focus.

Our interns, clinical staff, and local partners facilitated these sessions with care and empathy, modeling active listening and guiding students to identify healthy ways to cope with stress. The sessions emphasized emotional awareness, communication skills, and the importance of seeking support when needed. By validating feelings and providing tools for reflection, the clinic helped students develop strategies to navigate challenges in a constructive and mindful way.

By offering this safe and nurturing space at the start of the term, the clinic empowered students to begin the school year feeling seen, supported, and equipped to face challenges with confidence. These sessions set the stage for a positive and balanced school year, reinforcing that mental health is a vital part of overall well-being and growth.

01/14/2026

At the core of every IMA program is clinical learning in a global context—giving our interns the chance to grow not only as pre-health students, but as emerging healthcare professionals. At our flagship site in South America—Cusco, Peru—interns complete a formative clinical experience while rotating at El Metropolitano, a community medical outpost within Peru’s public EsSalud Hospital system.

Throughout their placements, interns work under the guidance of experienced local healthcare professionals across multiple specialties, gaining exposure to diverse clinical practices and patient-care approaches. Through this mentorship, interns connect classroom learning to real-world clinical environments through observation, guided discussion, and hands-on experiences appropriate to their level of training.

El Metropolitano offers a dynamic setting where interns observe patient flow, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the day-to-day operations of the Peruvian healthcare system. These experiences help interns develop a deeper understanding of clinical responsibility, teamwork, and professional conduct within a public hospital context.

Interns also gain insight into the importance of culturally responsive care—recognizing how local beliefs, language, and community context shape health decisions and patient outcomes. They observe how integrative and traditional approaches can complement clinical care, reinforcing the value of listening, cultural humility, and adapting communication to meet patients where they are.

By immersing themselves in clinical care in Cusco, interns expand their global perspective on healthcare, strengthen their confidence in clinical environments, and engage in meaningful cultural exchange. At IMA, experiences at our flagship sites play a vital role in shaping thoughtful, adaptable, and globally minded future healthcare leaders.

01/13/2026

At our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—our interns recently visited Haller Park, a restored nature park and wildlife sanctuary in the Bamburi neighborhood, as part of their cultural immersion experience. This visit offered a vivid glimpse into how thoughtful conservation can restore ecosystems—and how closely human communities and the natural world are connected.

From feeding giraffes to observing hippos and crocodiles, interns were fully immersed in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the park. Guided by experts, they learned how habitats are restored, endangered species are protected, and local communities engage in sustainable practices. These experiences offered interns a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship and the role humans play in preserving ecosystems.

At IMA, we believe cultural immersion experiences like visiting Haller Park extend learning beyond the hospital, helping interns connect clinical learning with the broader context of public health, community resilience, and environmental responsibility—insights that deepen cultural humility and stay with interns long after they return home.

01/11/2026

The start of a new academic year is full of promise, new lessons, new friends, and new routines. It’s also a crucial moment to set habits that support students’ health, confidence, and ability to learn. At our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—we recently conducted a Hygiene Education Session at Majaoni Primary School, where our interns taught students the proper ways to wash their hands, brush their teeth, and practice other basic hygiene habits that prevent illness and support daily learning.

Throughout the session, students actively participated in hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities, asking questions, practicing techniques, and encouraging one another. Our interns guided them with patience and care, showing that learning about health can be engaging, fun, and empowering. By connecting knowledge with practical action, the session gave students tools they can use every day and lessons they can carry with them throughout the year.

Each child also received a personal hygiene kit to take home, reinforcing these practices beyond the classroom. These small, consistent habits can prevent illness, boost confidence, and support students’ learning throughout the months ahead. At IMA, we recognize that early education lays the foundation for lifelong well-being, and that equipping children with knowledge today not only strengthens their health but also benefits their families and communities.

01/06/2026

Healthcare in action is more than stethoscopes and waiting rooms—it’s the coordinated effort of departments, staff, and resources working together to make every visit meaningful. At our flagship site in East Africa—Mombasa, Kenya—our Community Medical Clinics demonstrate how each unit plays a crucial role, and how collaboration transforms each patient encounter into a seamless and intentional experience. These services bridge the gap between medical knowledge and the daily realities of life in Kenya’s coastal region.

This careful coordination makes every clinic day more than routine. Thoughtful planning, behind-the-scenes problem-solving, and the subtle ways patients are guided through their visits create experiences that build trust and confidence. Every person who comes to the clinic becomes part of a story defined by teamwork and attention. From the first hello to the final follow-up, each visit demonstrates health services in motion.

Interested in contributing to meaningful, long-term, and sustainable global health initiatives? Applications are now open for our Spring and Summer 2026 Healthcare Internship Programs.

Learn more and apply at medicalaid.org!

12/27/2025

Most people think a healthcare internship abroad is just about observing procedures, but that’s only the surface. The real transformation begins long before stepping into a theatre or ward. It starts the moment interns see that healthcare looks different around the world—and realize that the provider they aspire to become might look different, too.

At International Medical Aid, our healthcare internships abroad welcome students from all pre-health disciplines, including both traditional and non-traditional pathways. Whether you’re pursuing nursing, dental, physical therapy, optometry, or another healthcare route, you’re fully integrated into the rhythm of real medicine, guided by clinicians who mentor, challenge, and broaden how you understand care.

You don’t just shadow—you learn to observe critically, ask meaningful questions, and understand how healthcare functions when resources are limited but dedication remains strong. You see teams communicate with precision, physicians adapt with skill, and compassion shape decisions as much as diagnostics. Each day pushes you to grow not only in knowledge, but in empathy, cultural humility, and global perspective.

If you’re seeking a pre-health internship abroad that stretches your mindset, sharpens your purpose, and deepens your understanding of medicine’s human side, this is where that journey begins. The future of healthcare isn’t defined solely in classrooms; it’s shaped by the world you choose to learn from.

12/25/2025

Christmas is a season of togetherness, reflection, and sharing moments that make a meaningful difference. This year, our interns and local staff visited the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK) to learn more about the facility’s work while bringing a touch of festive spirit to those it serves.⁣
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Located in the Port Reitz community, APDK is a long-standing rehabilitation centre that provides hands-on support for children and adults living with physical disabilities. The facility offers physiotherapy sessions, mobility training, and access to assistive devices, helping individuals regain independence and confidence in their daily lives. Beyond therapy, APDK serves as a consistent source of care and encouragement, supporting families who rely on its programs for long-term rehabilitation and personal growth. The staff’s dedication and the facility’s structured programming create an environment where progress is tangible, resilience is nurtured, and every achievement—big or small—is celebrated.⁣
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During our visit, we donated a selection of festive food items and seasonal essentials for individuals and staff, helping them celebrate the season and bringing moments of warmth, connection, and support beyond the usual routines.⁣
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From all of us at IMA, we extend our warmest wishes for a festive season filled with joy, peace, and meaningful connections.⁣
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𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: To ensure the safety, privacy, and protection of vulnerable individuals at the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya, we strictly adhere to IMA’s Social Media Policy and refrain from capturing images of children.

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1629 K Street NW Suite 300
Washington D.C., DC
20006

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	8am - 5pm
Sunday	8am - 5pm

Website

https://www.medicalaid.org/

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