Resident Grants
Prior to collaborating with VGHP, Ventura County Medical Center had a small but successful internal nonprofit to raise funds among doctors and provide grants to residents interested in an International Elective, resulting in two to three residents per year exploring medicine abroad for anywhere from six to nine months.
As the IE offering continued to develop, it became clear the demand for it would only increase, and VCMC faculty requested additional financial support to help facilitate these experiences and burgeoning medical programs in marginalized communities. VGHP seamlessly stepped into that role and started reimbursing 100% of expenses, which immediately expanded the International Elective’s reach to 14 residents.
Since then, we have also delivered similar grants for residents at our partner Via Christi (International Family Medicine Fellowship), and to date, Ventura Global Health Project has funded more than 200 fellowships and obtained a multitude of trip reports and photos sharing how our support has helped lead residents to life-changing medical experiences.
“I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in medicine abroad, and the lessons and experiences from my time in Guatemala have served as an important reminder of why I went into medicine in the first place.”
– Nastassja Bell
“I was able to build upon and utilize the full-spectrum of the skills I learned at VCMC, especially my surgical, wound care, and procedural skills. When out of work, I spent my time with the Appel family, who welcomed me into their home. The four weeks I spent there was not nearly enough, and I cannot wait to return. I am so appreciative to the entire Appel family, Ventura Family Medicine Education Fund and Cross Cultural Care for making this trip possible. Most of all, I am thankful for the patients who I had the privilege of meeting and caring for.”
– Jaydon Kiernan
To find out more about resident grants, start here: