In keeping with its mission to support the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the GPSF launched the highly successful Resident In Training Educational Stipend (RITES) program in 2015.
Program Details
The Resident In Training Educational Stipend (RITES) program has been a cornerstone of our efforts to enhance medical education in Ghana. Each year, selected medical trainees embark on a 6-week educational journey to leading US medical institutions, gaining invaluable experience and training.
We gladly welcome your donations and support to expand and sustain this program.
RITES Application
Residents in Training Educational Stipend (RITES) Program is a flagship project set up by Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation (GPSF) to support fellowships for resident physicians from Ghana. The goal of the RITES program is for residents to experience and learn from the healthcare delivery system in the United States including approach to care, best practices and also build collaborations and relationships as they move forward in their medical career. Training is in conjunction with the Yale University School of Medicine. Medical healthcare education is one of the missions of GPSF and the RITES program which is solely funded by our members helps us accomplish that mission.
Complete the application and include a cover letter outlining your research interest and work and tell us how you feel this program will benefit you and healthcare in Ghana as you continue to pursue your future career. Once accepted into the program, you must be available for 6-8weeks during the months of June-August and must have a valid passport to travel.
Please submit application and cover letter to ghanaphysiciansusa@gmail.com. Deadline: December 31st. No late applications will be accepted. Applicants will be notified no later than Feb 28th.
Testimonials
Dr. Dzifa Ahadzi
2020 RITES Program Recipient
“In 2020, I was delighted to receive the Resident In Training Educational Stipend (RITES Program) award from the Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation (GPSF) which would permit me to travel to the US as a short-term scholar for a research mentorship and an observership experience. However, the COVID-19 pandemic which ravaged our world in 2021 stalled these plans and our focus as physicians was turned to saving lives which are our call and duty. In the time that elapsed, I went on to focus on completing my fellowship program in Cardiology. At the tail end of my program, I was delighted to hear that the RITES program had been reinstituted.
I arrived at Yale University on the 12th of July, 2022 and after a few days of settling in, I reported to the Cardiovascular Medicine Department of Yale University/Yale New Haven Hospital where I was assigned to work with a General Cardiologist and a specialist in Cardio-oncology with a special interest in Bioethics. Additionally, I was also able to shadow an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Specialist. With him, I had the opportunity to see a wide spectrum of patients including heart transplant patients, patients on left ventricular assist devices, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and CardioMEMs devices. He also expressed interest in collaborating on further projects: training to support Cardiology Fellows in Ghana, support for the new Cardiology service that I would be involved in setting up in my hospital, and for research.
The Rites program also gave me the opportunity to enroll in an intense two-week Clinical Research course which has been an eye-opener so far. More than anything, my attention has been drawn to many questions in Cardiology that remain unanswered amongst Ghanaians.
It has truly been an experience of a lifetime. I have been exposed to a world of knowledge that will be an anchor for my career as one of the two maiden Cardiologists at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Beyond clinical care, I have learned that I must be committed to research, teaching, and fostering positive change that would translate into improved cardiovascular care for the people of Tamale and Ghana as a whole.”
Dr. Naa Okaikor Addison
2019 RITES Program Recipient
“The research experience has also been great. The weekly research seminars during which there are presentations by various faculty members have really broadened my understanding of the research dynamics and increased my interest in medical research as a whole. Over the ensuing weeks, I had the enviable opportunity to have the Yale New Haven Hospital Medical Microbiology Laboratory fully accessible to me to learn from their repertoire of tests, see the advanced equipment I had previously only read about or seen pictures of, and learn some very essential concepts concerning the practice of medical microbiology. I must say that the RITES program has been an all-encompassing package which I have thoroughly enjoyed! I am so grateful for the opportunity.”
Angelina Ampong, MD
2018 RITES Program Recipient
The RITES program by the Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation is a well organized and very useful program with a lot of potential. It will go a long way to encourage and equip Members and Fellows of the Ghana College of Physicians & Surgeons to strive for higher standards in clinical care and research. I am very happy, honored and grateful to have been chosen for the program.
Dr. Joyceline Assimeng Dame
2016 RITES Program Recipient
The program has been a tremendous success to me. My main objectives to improve my research career has been met and I am grateful. I have been exposed to the great art of scientific writing and communication as well as what constitutes good research practice. Concerning the clinical work, I got to observe some best practices and whatever difference I believe we can make back home, I need to start NOW.
Dr. Samuel K. Asomani
2016 RITES Program Recipient
I have learnt the need to spend time to let my patients know much about their illnesses and also respect their wishes while addressing their concerns. The need for team work and respect for team members have been reinforced in me. I have been better equipped with knowledge and skill in scientific research and writing.
Dr. Rita Larsen Reindorf
2015 RITES Program Recipient
I have a better appreciation of Biostatistics and Principles of Clinical Research. I feel more equipped to review a research article. I am confident to apply for research grants in future, I felt confident applying for advertised international grants which I would not have attempted previously. I have learned that collaboration is really helpful and must be actively pursued to be able to conduct meaningful clinical research. I also feel adequately equipped to teach clinical research methodology to residents and other physicians.
Support the RITES Program
We gladly welcome your donations and support to expand and sustain this program. Your contributions help us provide these valuable educational opportunities to more medical trainees and ensure the continued success of the RITES program.