Dominican Republic

About the Trip

The Dominican Republic Clinical Immersion is a program that introduces students to a sustainable primary healthcare delivery model in rural batey communities, along with the common causes of illness and the social determinants of health affecting these populations. Students gain hands-on clinical experience supervised by U.S. and Dominican physicians.

The program runs twice a year with local nonprofit partners and a Dominican medical university, providing ongoing primary care to marginalized communities, predominantly of Haitian descent, who live and work in and around the country’s sugarcane fields.

In-country partner One World Surgery provides surgical and primary care, has served rural communities in the Dominican Republic since 2019, and offers a referral system for patients who need further medical or surgical care. It helped set up this medical program and identify areas of need. The program is also supported by UCE, a local Dominican medical university.

Who We Need

We are recruiting physician preceptors. The student team comes from Michigan State University.

Selected physicians take part in patient care, student precepting and didactics, give a case presentation, and join the week’s scheduled program. Physicians are expected to sign up as adjunct faculty with the program.

Remaining openings by role are shown during registration.

Costs & Logistics

The trip fee is $1,300. It covers NGO fees, medication fees, administrative fees, transportation and the final dinner. Plan on about $980 more for the hotel for the week. Airfare is not included.

• Housing: Physicians stay at the Hodelpa Garden Suites hotel, with logistics organized by the program. Rooms run roughly $130–140 per night, Saturday to Saturday (about $980 total).
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch are included in the program. Dinner is not included most days.
• Local transport: The local university provides all required transportation. Taxis and Ubers are also available.
• Airfare: Book and pay for your own flights.
• CME: 32 AOA Category 1-B credits.

Safety

• All clinic sites have been vetted in detail and approved by the partner university’s safety office.
• UCE provides logistical support, translators and transportation for the week.
• For exposures, the local hospital system is available through the university, and adjunct faculty receive international medical insurance through the program.
• The trip leader has flagged travel during inclement weather as a risk, so build some flexibility into your travel plans.
• Before you go, review the U.S. State Department advisory for the Dominican Republic and enroll in STEP.

How to Join

1. Be a current DOCARE member. Membership is required for all trip participants. Join or renew.
2. Apply by November 14, 2026 using the registration button on this page.
3. Interview. Interested faculty complete an informal interview with the program’s Medical Director and the Trip Lead.
4. Book your flights once you are accepted.

Ready to Apply?

Applications close November 14, 2026. Questions? Use the event contact on this page.