HOUSTON, May 22, 2023 / The Simón Bolívar Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit private foundation, is offering up to seven scholarships to medical professionals working in Venezuela for a world-class Diploma Course in Tropical Medicine from Baylor's National School of Tropical Medicine.

This is the continuation of the program that was started last year, in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine. 

The first two students selected for last year's program completed their training this year and passed the final exam with flying colors, Baylor College of Medicine reported.

"I am very pleased and grateful for this opportunity," said one of the students. "The academic level exceeded my expectations and what I liked most was the opportunity to compare experiences, see what is done in other countries and then witness firsthand what is done in Venezuela. The online classes were excellent and the fact that they were asynchronous was very convenient to be able to share the time between the

The Fundación Academia Nacional de Medicina Francisco Antonio Rísquez in Venezuela will play a key role in assisting the Foundation with the dissemination of information to potential scholarship candidates in the country and the development of an objective process to identify qualified candidates to be recommended to apply for a scholarship to Baylor College of Medicine for a Diploma in the Tropical Medicine program.

The Diploma in Tropical Medicine is an intensive non-degree program consisting of four modules and a lab practical. Completion of this program will prepare healthcare professionals to sit for the CTropMed®--Certificate of Knowledge in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travelers' Health. To earn the diploma all four modules and the lab practical must be successfully completed within 36 months.

Upon completion of the Diploma in Tropical Medicine course, candidates will be able to (i) perform basic diagnostic procedures and identify the organisms that cause tropical illnesses; (ii) describe critical basic concepts of epidemiology, biostatistics, ethics, health economics and policy and other public health topics; and (iii) recognize and describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, management and prevention of tropical disease; (iv) describe the vector biology involved in the transmission of certain pathogens and the public health methods of controlling or preventing these diseases; (v) describe the principles and management of childhood illness, reproductive healthcare and current approaches to address health needs of women and children; (vi) apply diverse clinical sub-specialties focus on tropical medicine related tropics; and (vii) discuss pre-travel evaluation, post-travel work up and differential diagnosis for returning travelers. 

Baylor's application process will remain open until September 1, 2023, and the program will begin in January 2024. The Simón Bolívar Foundation, in collaboration with the National Academy of Medicine of Venezuela, is receiving applications from those interested in participating. For more information visit our website Simón Bolívar Foundation - Tropical Medicine Scholarships and  National Academy of Medicine. Pre-selected candidates will then be recommended to apply to Baylor College of Medicine, which will have the final decision on acceptance to the program in accordance with its selection criteria.

To be considered as a pre-selected candidate, please apply by sending the documents listed below to fundacionacademiademedicina@gmail.com no later than June 10, 2023.

  • Curriculum Vitae, including academic index, class position if available, work, academic and research experience, honors, awards, scholarships, publications, etc.
  • Official transcripts or copy of duly registered medical diploma.
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation in English. 
  • Explanatory letter, in English, from the candidate explaining the intention for which he or she wishes to obtain a Diploma in Tropical Medicine.
  • Letter, in English, describing relevant previous experience within developing countries or anticipated relevance of this program.
  • Advanced English proficiency requirement (for foreign applicants): Applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL and score a minimum of 90 on the Internet-based test (ibt) or 610 on the TOEFL ITP Plus or 6.5 on IELTS tests taken within the last two years. The TOEFL/IELTS requirement does not apply to people who have received a degree from a U.S. university as the scholarships are intended for medical graduates of Venezuelan universities.

About the Simón Bolívar Foundation 
The Simón Bolívar Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit, private foundation of CITGO Petroleum Corporation. The Foundation supports initiatives, leverages existing resources and invests in organizations to meet the immediate and long-term health needs of the most vulnerable individuals particularly in and from Venezuela with a special focus on the health and well-being of children and their mothers.  

SOURCE CITGO Corporation