Our Goals

In 2015, the United Nations created an agenda for achieving sustainable development by 2030. Comprised of 17 goals, known as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), they outlined values in the three dimensions of sustainable development: economical, societal, and environmental.

With these goals in mind, UAB International Medical Education created the Recognition of Distinction in Global Medicine program (RoD GH). Dedicated to fostering positive attitudes toward servicing global health communities, and the development of critical thinking skills directed at tackling global health barriers, the program aims to support the UN SDGs while also cultivating the growth of our future in medicine.

Recognition of Distinction in Global Health program

Started in 2024, with the flagship semester going abroad in the Summer of 2025, the Recognition of Distinction in Global Health program was created to uphold the values of the UN SDGs. Spanning all four years of medical school, students in the program will complete five categories of activities with a focus on one or more of the UN SDGs, culminating in a global health-minded thesis and a doctoral distinction in global health.

Our program seeks to aid in:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Interested in learning more about the RoD GH program?