The Transformative Power of a Global Medical Sciences Degree
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s new program will provide specialized training for aspiring and current health care professionals.
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Master of Science in Global Medical Sciences program confers the skills and perspective to transform health care locally and globally.
As the program gets closer to its launch in Spring 2026, Elahe Nezami, Ph.D., professor of professional practice in the Miller School’s Department of Public Health Sciences and the program’s director, shared her thoughts about the new degree program.
What does the Master of Science in Global Medical Sciences degree have to offer?
This program is designed to be globally informed but locally grounded. Joining the M.S. in Global Medical Sciences program is more than just a great educational experience. It’s a way to enhance one’s career and ability to make a real impact in health care.
Students will become better clinicians for diverse communities, learn how health is approached around the world, how illnesses are diagnosed and treated and how systems are structured, as well as the challenges different populations face. This knowledge directly translates to better care for the diverse patients they will see every day in the U.S.
Who is an ideal candidate for this program?
We have designed this curriculum for people who want to be health care professionals of the future. It’s the perfect fit for medical students, residents, fellows and anyone who has a passion and a heart for serving patients around the world.
Why did you feel the need to create this program?
At the Miller School of Medicine, we take great pride in training outstanding health care professionals with diverse clinical and scientific skills. Building on this strong foundation, I envisioned a program that would further expand opportunities for learners to serve patients from all backgrounds, both in the United States and globally.
By exploring how different countries address policy, prevention and access to care, participants will broaden their perspective and strengthen their ability to think strategically about health systems and patient care.
Dr. Elahe Nezami
The Global Medical Sciences program was created in response to learners’ desire to gain the cultural competence and practical skills needed to serve in a diverse and interconnected world. Through this program, participants experience different cultures, explore global health systems and develop a deeper understanding of how people live and cope with illness across varied contexts.
This initiative empowers the next generation of health care professionals to deliver compassionate, informed and globally minded care.
How does this degree prepare graduates to address real-world health challenges?
Mortality and morbidity remain pressing global challenges, and this program is dedicated to understanding and addressing their root causes. The curriculum is designed to prepare health care professionals to function effectively in diverse settings, whether resource-rich or resource-limited. Participants will learn how to diagnose and treat patients without reliance on advanced technology and how to work compassionately and effectively with individuals from different languages, backgrounds, religions and cultures.
How did the partnership with the Global Institute come about?
At the Miller School and the University of Miami, we take pride in being a global university that addresses global challenges. Our Global Institute has a tradition of service, which began with Dr. Barth Green, who trained many physicians to think globally and serve people worldwide. Many people from the institute have been part of the design team that created this curriculum and will serve as faculty.
Why should people apply to this program?
By exploring how different countries address policy, prevention and access to care, participants will broaden their perspective and strengthen their ability to think strategically about health systems and patient care. This degree equips clinicians and health care professionals with the tools to be both skilled practitioners and innovative problem-solvers.
A global health experience distinguishes participants as adaptable, culturally aware and deeply committed to improving health outcomes across diverse settings and beyond borders.
Tags: Dr. Elahe Nezami, global health, Global Institute for Community Health and Development, medical education, public health, public health sciences