Dean's Certificate of Distinction (COD) Resources for Medical Students

Dean’s Certificate of Distinction in One Health 

The Deanʻs Certificate of Distinction (COD) in One Health is intended to provide medical students with the opportunity to develop a knowledge base in One Health, to apply this knowledge to One Health issues relating to human, animal and environmental health, and to share this knowledge of One Health with their peers through contributions to the medical education curriculum or presentations of their research projects to the JABSOM community.

The One Health concept, is based on the interdependence of human medicine, veterinary medicine, and ecosystem health, including that of wildlife. It is a global strategy which highlights the need for an approach that is holistic and transdisciplinary, incorporating mulitisectorial expertise to address health issues of mankind, animals and ecosystems (Destoumieux-Garzon et al., Front. Vet Sci., 2018). It provides a way of examining complex systems and processes that underlie effects such as disease emergence. While initial work in One Health was biased toward zoonotic diseases, current efforts have extended the field to chronic, non-infectious diseases that represent a leading cause of global mortality.

After completing the requirements of the Deanʻs Certificate of Distinction (COD) in One Health, students will be able to:

1. Define the One Health concept and its importance to human, animal, and environmental health.
2. Discuss the relationship between human health and biodiversity and the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and ecosystem health.
3. Apply the One Health approach to clinical practice and patient education.
4. Discuss and present current issues and published literature in One Health.
5. Develop, complete, and present an interdisciplinary One Health clinical or research project or develop a curriculum component on One Health.
6. Work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team addressing human, animal, and environmental health.
7. Demonstrate leadership and mentoring skills in the context of curriculum projects, student interest groups and/or volunteer organizations.

To get started:

• Read about the One Health COD Curriculum and Checklist in the attached documents.
• Complete the online Google Forms Entry Survey to sign up or receive more information.
• Contact the One Health advisor or the One Health Interest Group leader with any questions.

Graphic: Alexander G. Watts - https://followtheoutbreak.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/opinion-do-we-need-to-induce-stress-in-the-one-health-paradigm/