FPGEE education - Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Updated: 2023

Applicants to SLU’s Visiting Medical Student Elective Program must be in their final year of medical school at a U.S. or Canadian medical school that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or Osteopathic medical school (AOA accredited).

You must have successfully completed all preclinical training, basic core clerkships (internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, or surgery), and all portions of the clinical training prerequisites required for the elective for which the application is being processed.

Acceptance is contingent upon you achieving adequate grades in basic science and core clinical courses equivalent to Saint Louis University courses. Adequacy and equivalency shall be determined by the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Visiting students are eligible for clinical Year 4 electives only.

Applications that are incomplete or have not met the eligibility requirements will not be processed.

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Families seeking information from a health care provider about a young child’s gender identity may have their questions answered or receive counseling. Some posts share a misleading claim that toddlers are being “transitioned.” To be clear, prepubescent children are not offered transition surgery or drugs.

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Some children identify with a gender that does not match their sex assigned at birth. These children are referred to as transgender, gender-diverse or gender-expansive. Doctors will listen to children and their family members, offer information, and in some cases connect them with mental health care, if needed.

But for children who have not yet started puberty, there are no recommended drugs, surgeries or other gender-transition treatments.

Recent social media posts shared the misleading claim that medical institutions in North Carolina are “transitioning toddlers,” which they called an “experimental treatment.” The posts referenced a blog post published by the Education First Alliance, a conservative nonprofit in North Carolina that says many schools are engaging in “ideological indoctrination” of children and need to be reformed.

The group has advocated the passage of a North Carolina bill to restrict medical gender-transition treatment before age 18. There are now 18 states that have taken action to restrict medical transition treatments for minors.

A widely shared article from the Epoch Times citing the blog post bore the false headline: “‘Transgender’ Toddlers as Young as 2 Undergoing Mutilation/Sterilization by NC Medical System, Journalist Alleges.” The Epoch Times has a history of publishing misleading or false claims. The article on transgender toddlers then disappeared from the website, and the Epoch Times published a new article clarifying that young children are not receiving hormone blockers, cross-sex hormones or surgery. 

Representatives from all three North Carolina institutions referenced in the social media posts told us via emailed statements that they do not offer surgeries or other transition treatments to toddlers.

East Carolina University, May 5: ECU Health does not offer gender affirming surgery to minors nor does the health system offer gender affirming transition care to toddlers.

ECU Health elaborated that it does not offer puberty blockers and only offers hormone therapy after puberty “in limited cases,” as recommended in national guidelines and with parental or guardian consent. It also said that it offers interdisciplinary gender-affirming primary care for LGBTQ+ patients, including access to services such as mental health care, nutrition and social work.

“These primary care services are available to any LGBTQ+ patient who needs care. ECU Health does not provide gender-related care to patients 2 to 4 years old or any toddler period,” ECU said.

University of North Carolina, May 12: To be clear: UNC Health does not offer any gender-transitioning care for toddlers. We do not perform any gender care surgical procedures or medical interventions on toddlers. Also, we are not conducting any gender care research or clinical trials involving children.

If a toddler’s parent(s) has concerns or questions about their child’s gender, a primary care provider would certainly listen to them, but would never recommend gender treatment for a toddler. Gender surgery can be performed on anyone 18 years old or older.

Duke Health, May 12: Duke Health has provided high-quality, compassionate, and evidence-based gender care to both adolescents and adults for many years. Care decisions are made by patients, families and their providers and are both age-appropriate and adherent to national and international guidelines. Under these professional guidelines and in accordance with accepted medical standards, hormone therapies are explicitly not provided to children prior to puberty and gender-affirming surgeries are, except in exceedingly rare circumstances, only performed after age 18.

Duke and UNC both called the claims that they offer gender-transition care to toddlers false, and ECU referred to the “intentional spreading of dangerous misinformation online.”

Nor do other medical institutions offer gender-affirming drug treatment or surgery to toddlers, clinical psychologist Christy Olezeski, director of the Yale Pediatric Gender Program, told us, although some may offer support to families of young children or connect them with mental health care. 

The Education First Alliance post also states that a doctor “can see a 2-year-old girl play with a toy truck, and then begin treatment for gender dysphoria.” But simply playing with a certain toy would not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, according to the medical diagnostic manual used by health professionals.

“With all kids, we want them to feel comfortable and confident in who they are. We want them to feel comfortable and confident in how they like to express themselves. We want them to be safe,” Olezeski said. “So all of these tenets are taken into consideration when providing care for children. There is no medical care that happens prior to puberty.”

Medical Transition Starts During Adolescence or Later 

The Education First Alliance blog post does not clearly state what it means when it says North Carolina institutions are “transitioning toddlers.” It refers to treatment and hormone therapy without clarifying the age at which it is offered. 

Only in the final section of the piece does it include a quote from a doctor correctly stating that children are not offered surgery or drugs before puberty.

To spell out the reality of the situation: The North Carolina institutions are not providing surgeries or hormone therapy to prepubescent children, nor is this standard practice in any part of the country.

Programs and physicians will have different policies, but widely referenced guidance from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the Endocrine Society lays out recommended care at different ages. 

Drugs that suppress puberty are the first medical treatment that may be offered to a transgender minor, the guidelines say. Children may be offered drugs to suppress puberty beginning when breast buds appear or testicles increase to a certain volume, typically happening between ages 8 to 13 or 9 to 14, respectively.

Generally, someone may start gender-affirming hormone therapy in early adolescence or later, the American Academy for Pediatrics explains. The Endocrine Society says that adolescents typically have the mental capacity to participate in making an informed decision about gender-affirming hormone therapy by age 16.

Older adolescents who want flat chests may sometimes be able to get surgery to remove their breasts, also known as top surgery, Olezeski said. They sometimes desire to do this before college. Guidelines do not offer a specific age during adolescence when this type of surgery may be appropriate. Instead, they explain how a care team can assess adolescents on a case-by-case basis.

A previous version of the WPATH guidelines did not recommend genital surgery until adulthood, but the most accurate version, published in September 2022, is less specific about an age limit. Rather, it explains various criteria to determine whether someone who desires surgery should be offered it, including a person’s emotional and cognitive maturity level and whether they have been on hormone therapy for at least a year.

The Endocrine Society similarly offers criteria for when someone might be ready for genital surgery, but specifies that surgeries involving removing the testicles, ovaries or uterus should not happen before age 18.

“Typically any sort of genital-affirming surgeries still are happening at 18 or later,” Olezeski said.

There are no comprehensive statistics on the number of gender-affirming surgeries performed in the U.S., but according to an insurance claims analysis from Reuters and Komodo Health Inc., 776 minors with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria had breast removal surgeries and 56 had genital surgeries from 2019 to 2021.

Research Shows Benefits of Affirming Gender Identity

Young children do not get medical transition treatment, but they do have feelings about their gender and can benefit from support from those around them. “Children start to have a sense of their own gender identity between the ages of 2 1/2 to 3 years old,” Olezeski said.

Programs vary in what age groups they serve, she said, but some do support families of preschool-aged children by answering questions or providing mental health care.

Transgender children are at increased risk of some mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. According to the WPATH guidelines, affirming a child’s gender through day-to-day changes — also known as social transition — may have a positive impact on a child’s mental health. Social transition “may look different for every individual,” Olezeski said. Changes could include going by a different name or pronouns or altering one’s attire or hair style.

Two studies of socially transitioned children — including one with kids as young as 3 — have found minimal or no difference in anxiety and depression compared with non-transgender siblings or other children of similar ages.

“Research substantiates that children who are prepubertal and assert an identity of [transgender and gender diverse] know their gender as clearly and as consistently as their developmentally equivalent peers who identify as cisgender and benefit from the same level of social acceptance,” the AAP guidelines say, adding that differences in how children identify and express their gender are normal.

Social transitions largely take place outside of medical institutions, led by the child and supported by their family members and others around them. However, a family with questions about their child’s gender or social transition may be able to get information from their pediatrician or another medical provider, Olezeski said.

Although not available everywhere, specialized programs may be particularly prepared to offer care to a gender-diverse child and their family, she said. A child may get a referral to one of these programs from a pediatrician, another specialty physician, a mental health care professional or their school, or a parent may seek out one of these programs.

“We have created a space where parents can come with their youth when they’re young to ask questions about how to best support their child: what to do if they have questions, how to get support, what do we know about the best research in terms of how to allow kids space to explore their identity, to explore how they like to express themselves, and then if they do identify as trans or nonbinary, how to support the parents and the youth in that,” Olezeski said of specialized programs. Parents benefit from the support, and then the children also benefit from support from their parents. 

WPATH says that the child should be the one to initiate a social transition by expressing a “strong desire or need” for it after consistently articulating an identity that does not match their sex assigned at birth. A health care provider can then help the family explore benefits and risks. A child simply playing with certain toys, dressing a certain way or enjoying certain activities is not a sign they would benefit from a social transition, the guidelines state.

Previously, assertions children made about their gender were seen as “possibly true” and support was often withheld until an age when identity was believed to become fixed, the AAP guidelines explain. But “more robust and current research suggests that, rather than focusing on who a child will become, valuing them for who they are, even at a young age, fosters secure attachment and resilience, not only for the child but also for the whole family,” the guidelines say.

Mental Health Care Benefits

A gender-diverse child or their family members may benefit from a referral to a psychologist or other mental health professional. However, being transgender or gender-diverse is not in itself a mental health disorder, according to the American Psychological Association, WPATH and other expert groups. These organizations also note that people who are transgender or gender-diverse do not all experience mental health problems or distress about their gender. 

Psychological therapy is not meant to change a child’s gender identity, the WPATH guidelines say. 

The form of therapy a child or a family might receive will depend on their particular needs, Olezeski said. For instance, a young child might receive play-based therapy, since play is how children “work out different things in their life,” she said. A parent might work on strategies to better support their child.

One mental health diagnosis that some gender-diverse people may receive is gender dysphoria. There is disagreement about how useful such a diagnosis is, and receiving such a diagnosis does not necessarily mean someone will decide to undergo a transition, whether social or medical.

UNC Health told us in an email that a gender dysphoria diagnosis “is rarely used” for children.

Very few gender-expansive kids have dysphoria, the spokesperson said. “Gender expansion in childhood is not Gender Dysphoria,” UNC added, attributing the explanation to psychiatric staff (emphasis is UNC’s). “The psychiatric team’s goal is to provide good mental health care and manage safety—this means trying to protect against abuse and bullying and to support families.”

Social media posts incorrectly claim that toddlers are being diagnosed with gender dysphoria based on what toys they play with. One post said: “Three medical schools in North Carolina are diagnosing TODDLERS who play with stereotypically opposite gender toys as having GENDER DYSPHORIA and are beginning to transition them!!”

There are separate criteria for diagnosing gender dysphoria in adults and adolescents versus children, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. For children to receive this diagnosis, they must meet six of eight criteria for a six-month period and experience “clinically significant distress” or impairment in functioning, according to the diagnostic manual. 

A “strong preference for the toys, games or activities stereotypically used or engaged in by the other gender” is one criterion, but children must also meet other criteria, and expressing a strong desire to be another gender or insisting that they are another gender is required.

“People liking to play with different things or liking to wear a diverse set of clothes does not mean that somebody has gender dysphoria,” Olezeski said. “That just means that kids have a breadth of things that they can play with and ways that they can act and things that they can wear.”

Editor’s note: SciCheck’s articles providing accurate health information and correcting health misinformation are made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The foundation has no control over FactCheck.org’s editorial decisions, and the views expressed in our articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the foundation.

Sources

Rafferty, Jason. “Gender-Diverse & Transgender Children.” HealthyChildren.org. Updated 8 Jun 2022.

Coleman, E. et al. “Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8.” International Journal of Transgender Health. 15 Sep 2022.

Rachmuth, Sloan. “Transgender Toddlers Treated at Duke, UNC, and ECU.” Education First Alliance. 1 May 2023.

North Carolina General Assembly. “Senate Bill 639, Youth Health Protection Act.” (as introduced 5 Apr 2023).

Putka, Sophie et al. “These States Have Banned Youth Gender-Affirming Care.” Medpage Today. Updated 17 May 2023.

Davis, Elliott Jr. “States That Have Restricted Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth in 2023.” U.S. News & World Report. Updated 17 May 2023.

Montgomery, David and Goodman, J. David. “Texas Legislature Bans Transgender Medical Care for Children.” New York Times. 17 May 2023.

Ji, Sayer. ‘Transgender’ Toddlers as Young as 2 Undergoing Mutilation/Sterilization by NC Medical System, Journalist Alleges.” Epoch Times. Internet Archive, Wayback Machine. Archived 6 May 2023.

McDonald, Jessica. “COVID-19 Vaccines Reduce, Not Increase, Risk of Stillbirth.” FactCheck.org. 9 Nov 2022.

Jaramillo, Catalina. “Posts Distort Questionable Study on COVID-19 Vaccination and EMS Calls.” FactCheck.org. 15 June 2022.

Spencer, Saranac Hale. “Social Media Posts Misrepresent FDA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research.” FactCheck.org. 23 Dec 2022.

Jaramillo, Catalina. “WHO ‘Pandemic Treaty’ Draft Reaffirms Nations’ Sovereignty to Dictate Health Policy.” FactCheck.org. 2 Mar 2023.

McCormick Sanchez, Darlene. “IN-DEPTH: North Carolina Medical Schools See Children as Young as Toddlers for Gender Dysphoria.” The Epoch Times. 8 May 2023.

ECU health spokesperson. Emails with FactCheck.org. 12 May 2023 and 19 May 2023.

UNC Health spokesperson. Emails with FactCheck.org. 12 May 2023 and 19 May 2023.

Duke Health spokesperson. Email with FactCheck.org. 12 May 2023.

Olezeski, Christy. Interview with FactCheck.org. 16 May 2023.

Hembree, Wylie C. et al. “Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 1 Nov 2017.

Emmanuel, Mickey and Bokor, Brooke R. “Tanner Stages.” StatPearls. Updated 11 Dec 2022.

Rafferty, Jason et al. “Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents.” Pediatrics. 17 Sep 2018.

Coleman, E. et al. “Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People, Version 7.” International Journal of Transgenderism. 27 Aug 2012.

Durwood, Lily et al. “Mental Health and Self-Worth in Socially Transitioned Transgender Youth.” Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 27 Nov 2016.

Olson, Kristina R. et al. “Mental Health of Transgender Children Who Are Supported in Their Identities.” Pediatrics. 26 Feb 2016.

“Answers to Your Questions about Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression.” American Psychological Association website. 9 Mar 2023.

“What is Gender Dysphoria?” American Psychiatric Association website. Updated Aug 2022.

Vanessa Marie | Truth Seeker (indivisible.mama). “Three medical schools in North Carolina are diagnosing TODDLERS who play with stereotypically opposite gender toys as having GENDER DYSPHORIA and are beginning to transition them!! …” Instagram. 7 May 2023.

The post Young Children Do Not Receive Medical Gender Transition Treatment appeared first on FactCheck.org.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Danielle Prescod has known for a while that something in her body was “very, very off.”

The 34-year-old author of "Token Black Girl" visited a primary care physician about a year ago with complaints of cramping pain and weight gain in her lower belly. She says the doctor didn't take much time evaluating her concerns before diagnosing her with chronic obesity.

“Her solution was to immediately recommend that I go on Ozempic,” Prescod tells USA TODAY, referencing the new diabetes drug known for inducing weight loss. But that felt like a dismissive, incorrect diagnosis to Prescod, who exercises regularly, eats a balanced diet and doesn’t drink alcohol. Instead, she spent a considerable amount of time over the past year making appointments with certified to figure out what was actually wrong.

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She was finally diagnosed with PCOS and several uterine fibroids, some of which were so large it's “the equivalent to being 20 weeks pregnant, which would explain why my stomach is distended,” she says. 

Prescod is one of many who have experienced an issue dubbed “medical gaslighting.” 

“When I tell doctors I’m in pain, it’s almost like they don’t believe me,” Prescod says. “It makes me lose hope in the medical system at large. I’ve always been someone who’s like, ‘you go to the doctor when you feel sick and the doctor will help you.’ My grandmother was a nurse. I looked at the medical system as something you should trust. And now I don’t.” 

Those who have experienced medical gaslighting have been able to find a community on social media to connect with. The hashtag #MedicalGaslighting has 222 million views on TikTok. But why is it so common? Experts say a lack of time to properly get to know patients, changing medical research and a history of studies that focused mostly on white male patients are to blame. 

What is medical gaslighting? 

“Medical gaslighting is when somebody presents with symptoms that are ignored or dismissed, chalked up to anxiety or imagination, possibly told they’re too young to develop cancer or chronic illness, and having their symptoms minimized without being properly addressed,” says Dr. Robyn Roth, a breast health expert and board-certified radiologist.

It disproportionately affects marginalized communities including young women, the elderly, minorities, low-income communities, queer patients and those who are overweight or obese, experts say. And the major issue with medical gaslighting is that it often can lead to delayed diagnoses and worse outcomes.

“Inherently, we trust our doctors and assume that they’re experts in their fields,” Roth says. “So when they say nothing’s wrong, you want to believe them, especially if it’s something you’re worried about.” 

'Everyone deserves to be heard': Why medical gaslighting persists

Men and women perceive pain differently. The way they present with common diseases are also different, and because medical research historically has focused on male patients, research has shown that women suffering from the same issues often go undetected because they don’t present the same symptoms men do, experts say. 

“Knowledge about sex and gender differences in health and disease can be lifesaving,” says Dr. Janine Austin Clayton, director of the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health. 

“Women’s pain is often dismissed as ‘in their head’ and even the pain of young girls is seen as exaggerated," Clayton adds. "Heart disease is the number one killer of women, but the signs and symptoms of heart disease are considered ‘different’ in women. They are not different; they are women’s symptoms.” 

Clayton highlights a 2019 study that found that women on average are diagnosed with diseases four years later than men. “That is striking," she says. "It represents valuable time that could have been used to treat the condition.” 

© ArLawKa AungTun, Getty Images/iStockphoto Many in the medical field recognize a a need for better partnership between doctors and patients.

Many in the medical field recognize a a need for better partnership between doctors and patients, Clayton says. She notes the value of continuing education, which helps ensure professionals are as up-to-date as possible on medical practices. 

“The bottom line is everyone deserves to be heard,” Clayton says. “People deserve care that addresses their health needs and provides appropriate treatment.” 

Tips for preventing and combatting medical gaslighting 

Prescod documented her ongoing medical issues and subsequent investigation with her social media followers, many of whom respond with their own struggles to find a doctor who will take their symptoms seriously.

Their responses gave Prescod encouragement to continue looking for answers. "It's helpful when people say 'this is happening to me, too,' " Prescod says.

Feeling like you have experienced medical gaslighting? Consider these tips:

• Get to know your body. You know when something is wrong. Trust your instincts.
• Prepare ahead of your appointment. Clayton recommends writing down your questions beforehand and making sure to address each one before the appointment ends.
• Take your well-being into your own hands. Amid figuring out what was wrong, Prescod focused on getting enough sleep, reducing stress, exercising, drinking plenty of water and taking vitamins. 
• Don't be afraid to ask for clarifications and second opinions. “I always encourage people that if something feels off, you push your doctor a little bit," Roth says. "Say, ‘how do you know this is a cyst? Would any type of imaging be helpful to evaluate this area? What would be the next test that we should do in order to exclude something more serious?"
• Be your own advocate. "Start treating every visit to a health care provider as if your life depends on it," Clayton says. "One day, it could."

More on health issues

They found a lump. Doctors said not to worry. These are the stories of men with breast cancer.

Jimmy Kimmel joked about Ozempic at the Oscars. We need to actually talk about it.

A 3-year-old was snack-shamed over Pringles. What happens when we villainize certain foods.

John Mulaney's first call in rehab was from Pete Davidson. Why connection is important for recovery.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'They don't believe me': The pain and dangers of medical gaslighting

© Monterey Daily Herald/TNS Fabiola Gonzalez spoke about her experience returning to education, despite working a full-time job and caring for her three daughters

The Monterey Adult School celebrated 62 graduates Friday, including six General Education Development graduates – the most the school has had in years.

“We have six GED graduates, which is a first for us. We haven’t had that many,” explained the adult school’s principal, Beth Wodecki. “We’re super proud of that program… When people come in they also have to test out in four different areas and they can also take it in Spanish.”

The General Education Development tests are a group of four academic subject tests: mathematics, science, social studies and language arts. While a high school diploma marks completing and passing all courses required for graduation, a GED signifies that the graduate has an equivalent level of knowledge compared to a high school graduate, without actually having graduated from high school.

Shane Horton is a high school diploma teacher at the adult school. He teaches online courses as well as in-person at the school’s satellite school in Marina.

Horton said it can take a student a few months to a few years to complete the program, which is tailored to the individual student and their needs.

He said finding students’ strengths and highlighting their achievements has helped him keep students motivated to accomplish their goals.

“I think that’s a bigger piece than even just earning the diploma,” Horton explained. “This sense of accomplishment that they maybe missed out on in their young life. Culturally, I think it’s a milestone and whether you didn’t care about it or you didn’t make it or whatever the reason, reaching that is a big (deal).”

The Monterey Adult School is governed by the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and serves students over the age of 18.

“Our primary focus is really those that are still continuing work towards their graduation,” explained Wodecki. “And a majority of what we do is English language learning.”

The school offers a variety of courses, including: English as a second language, a high school diploma/GED course, computer skills, citizenship exam preparation, culinary arts, construction and more. Classes are offered online and in-person, in the morning and evening to accommodate those who work or care for family members.

This year, the school began offering a certificated nursing assistant program. The program started up again in February after more than three years of a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing issues.

The nine-week course covers basic patient care and provides students with hands-on training in performing basic nursing tasks.

“Not only did all of our students pass their CNA requirements for the state, all of them also got job offers throughout the community,” Wodecki said proudly.

Fabiola Gonzalez was one of the students in the certified nursing assistant program and the GED program who graduated Friday. Gonzalez graduated with a special award, acknowledging her accomplishment of obtaining a GED degree and her CNA certification in the same school year.

Gonzalez began in the English as a second language program at the adult school. She began taking GED classes in Aug. 2021 and finished in Dec. 2022. She enrolled in the adult school’s nursing assistant program with her daughter and completed the program in April.

Gonzalez attended classes while also spending her days cleaning houses for at least eight hours and raising her three children, including a newborn.

“On several occasions, I went home tired and not wanting to go to school. (I thought), ‘why do I want my GED? How will it help me at my age? It’s too late, I don’t need it.’ But I remembered my dreams, my goals and I had a double espresso and went to school,” Gonzalez told the audience at Friday’s graduation.

Gonzalez said the certified nursing assistant program was extra challenging, because the program was in English. But despite the difficulties, Gonzalez was determined to continue.

“I wanted to show my daughters that they could do it,” Gonzalez explained in Spanish, translated to English.

Not only did Gonzalez graduate from the nursing assistant program with her daughter, but she was also able to graduate on the same day as her other daughter. Her daughter graduated from Seaside High School shortly before the adult school ceremony.

Gonzalez’s daughter will attend Monterey Peninsula College in the fall and Gonzalez hopes to continue her education in a medical assistant program.

“I think Fabiola embraces what adult education can be,” Wodecki told Friday’s crowd.

©2023 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at montereyherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• Your Path to topranked universities in United Kingdom, UAE and Worldwide

Dubai: Thumbay Group, UAE’s leading provider of medical education and healthcare services with a legacy of 25-years of excellence in services across the region, has forged a groundbreaking partnership with Gems Middle East. This collaboration seeks to empower the realms of healthcare and education by harnessing the collective strengths and expertise of both organizations. With a shared dedication to fostering innovation and achieving remarkable results, this partnership further strives to cultivate a vibrant and influential landscape in these crucial domains of health professions’ education.

As per the strategic partnership, Thumbay Group's esteemed entity- Gulf Medical University is set to host the University of London International Foundation Program (Medical) with a specialized focus on Medicine within its renowned Thumbay Medicity campus. This comprehensive nine-month program, known as the University of London International Foundation Program(Medical), aims to offer students an exceptional pathway into various undergraduate degree programs, encompassing fields such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Sciences, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, and Nutrition.

"We are immensely proud to be associated with supporting this exceptional University of London program at Gulf Medical University," stated Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University. "This not only expands our global presence but also provides students with a remarkable opportunity to gain seamless access to the programs offered by Gulf Medical University."

Acclaimed worldwide for its exceptional teaching standards and rigorous academic curriculum, the University of London's International Foundation Program stands as a beacon of excellence. This program equips students with invaluable skills, serving as a stepping stone towards successful admission into renowned universities around the world. From prestigious institutions in the UAE to esteemed establishments in Europe, Asia, and America, this program helps in unlocking top-tier educational opportunities.

The Foundation Program, which is set to be taught at GMU, provides a distinctive advantage by offering comprehensive preparation for the BMAT and UCAT exams, crucial prerequisites for medical and dental programs in the UK and other nations. Upon successful completion of this tailored program, students will receive a certificate of completion from the University of London and an International A-Level Certification from LRN-UK. Moreover, extensive guidance and support for the UCAT and BMAT exams will be provided.

Lynne Roberts, IFP Director, University of London Worldwide elaborated on the program, stating that the IFP has been designed to ensure that students achieve high academic standards and gain both the skills and intellectual curiosity necessary to succeed at university. “We are proud of our graduates who have gone on to study with University of London programs around the world, as well as on-campus at some of the best universities in the UK and other countries. We look forward to giving students more opportunities through the new GEMS-recognized teaching centers in the Middle East," Roberts explained.

The landmark Medical Foundation Program is scheduled to commence in September 2023, with applications set to open in June 2023. The program welcomes applications from students who currently hold A-levels, International Baccalaureate (IB), or equivalent Grade 12 qualifications.

Meanwhile, expressing his pride in the robust relationship between GEMS Middle East and the University of London, Dr. Amir Saadati, Executive Director of GEMS Middle East, also highlighted the strategic partnership with Thumbay Group. He conveyed his delight in the program being offered at the Gulf Medical University, stating, "We are extremely happy that students can now benefit from enhanced learning and training opportunities."

Dr. Saadati also added that they are currently in talks with several UK-based universities. “The aim of these discussions is to provide students with the chance to study graduate entry medicine after completing the UoL Foundation program and Higher Diploma in Pre-Clinical Sciences (HDPCS) at GMU. This initiative aims to broaden the academic opportunities available to students and enhance their educational journey even further.”

Offering remarkable value, the UOL Foundation Program is priced at a competitive USD 6,800 per term. Further convenience is provided through online payment options, visa facilitation to the Emirates, and access to accommodation services, inclusive of free transportation.

Don't miss this unique opportunity, as seats are limited. Interested students are encouraged to apply online at foundation.gmu.ac.ae to secure their place.

The initiative has garnered support from prominent figures within the academic community.

Prof. Richard Grose, Dean for Global Engagement at Queen Mary University London, shared, "It is hugely exciting to see the launch of this new collaborative program that will equip students with all the skills they need to make a successful transition into becoming future healthcare professionals. The synergy that comes from coupling the wonderful facilities at Gulf Medical University with the global academic reputation of UoL will give students a fantastic head start!"

Prof. Paul Coulthard, Dean at the College of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary University London, commented, "I am thrilled with the University of London, GEMS Middle East, and Thumbay relationship, which is set to deliver a novel high-quality portfolio of exceptional educational opportunities in medicine, dentistry, and other health professions."

Dr James Abdey, London School of Economics, stated, "We want students to have a good foundation going into their choice of undergraduate degree. We want them to learn the basics of theory and be able to apply that theory to the real world, but also to have the language, terminology and confidence to be successful. In addition to the subject guides, there are additional resources – videos, news articles, and interesting lectures – so that students can apply what they're learning to real-life cases. For me, that's really exciting!"

-Ends-

About Gulf Medical University:

Gulf Medical University (GMU), established in 1998, is a leading medical university in the UAE, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health sciences, and more. With a commitment to excellence in education, research, and healthcare, GMU aims to produce competent healthcare professionals capable of serving the community and meeting the region's healthcare needs.

About University of London

The University of London is the UK’s leading provider of digital and blended distance education internationally, offering programmes to 45,000 students in 190 countries around the world. Although proudly rooted in London, our community and impact are global. A national leader in the humanities and promote their value to society and the economy through knowledge creation and exchange.
They are also a federation of 17 esteemed higher education institutions, with collaboration at the heart of our ethos. The University of London federation is a collective community of more than 240,000 learners and 50,000 staff, delivering world-leading research across all disciplines.

About GEMS Middle East Holding:

GEMS Middle East Holding is a leading education management group with expertise in owning and operating a diverse network of schools, colleges, and universities across the Middle East. In addition to its role in the education sector, the company serves as a trusted consultant to regional governments, providing specialized expertise and guidance on national education initiatives and educational reform programs. With a strong commitment to educational excellence, GEMS Middle East Holding is dedicated to providing students with exceptional learning experiences. The group's extensive network of educational institutions and its collaboration with the University of London position it as a leading force in shaping the educational landscape of the Middle East.

Undergraduate / Graduate Student Project

Project Information

The work will include online research and database research.
 

Profile of Appropriate Candidate

• Demonstrated interest in sociology, legal studies or women's and gender studies

• Excellent internet and database research skills

• Excellent writing skills

• Organized, independent, and resourceful

• Ability to meet deadlines and complete assignments independently