Post-Residency Program
Is the Lord calling you to a career in medical missions? Are you wondering how to make the transition from residency or fellowship to the mission field? If so, the World Medical Mission Post-Residency Program has been created for you.
The Post-Residency Program is a two-year program which funds Christian physicians and dentists who have been called to a career in medical missions. Immediately following your residency, we will place you at a mission hospital where you will serve within your specialty. We provide logistical and financial support while you serve alongside career medical missionaries.
Post-Resident applications for the 2026 Class will be available to interested applicants beginning October 1, 2024.
The application deadline is March 1 in the year prior to the beginning of your last year of training. For example, if you are completing residency in 2026, your application is due March 1, 2025. Selections will be made in June of the year in which your application is received.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are candidates selected?
A committee of World Medical Mission senior staff members will review applications and interview qualified individuals for approval for the Post-Residency Program. The committee will consider your medical specialty, testimony, references, the leading of the Lord in your life, and your long-term career goals. Second-language skills are helpful but not required.
Do I get to choose where I serve?
The committee will present you with two options of mission hospitals and sending organizations that can use your specialty and provide mentorship during these first two years. However, the final decision is up to you.
Where could I be assigned?
Typical assignments will be in established mission hospitals and clinics in Africa, Asia, the South Pacific and Latin America within the network of World Medical Mission partner hospitals.
What might I be doing?
You will be working as a physician within your specialty caring, serving and teaching in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. As with all types of medical missions, flexibility will be essential as you can be sure you will be challenged.
What kind of preparation will I receive?
The Post-Residency Program staff will work with you and your family from the time your application is approved through your two years of service. We will assist you with all ministry-related travel and country-specific field requirements. Prior to serving, you will be brought to the Samaritan's Purse international headquarters in Boone, North Carolina, for orientation. What about my school loans? Post-Resident physicians are not eligible for the Project MedSend grant. However, we are prepared to assist you as you raise support to cover your basic student loan.
What about my school loans?
You are eligible to continue with the Public Loan Forgiveness Assistance Program while serving with World Medical Mission/Samaritan’s Purse.
Do I need to raise support?
Samaritan's Purse will pay a modest stipend and provide airfare, insurance, immunizations and ministry-related travel expenses to the physician. We will also provide housing and a food allowance for you and your family. The support you will need to raise will be to cover your family's airfare, benefits and ministry-related expenses. The ministry will not take any administrative fees from the funds you raise.
What if I have already completed residency/medical training?
If you have recently completed your residency or medical training program, and you feel called to serve in long-term missions, please email us at postresidencyprogram@samaritan.org. We will contact you to discuss the specifics of your situation and how we can assist you in fulfilling God’s plan for your life.
How do I transition to a sending agency?
The post-resident manager and staff will assist you in finding a mission sending agency that is the right fit for you and your family. By starting at the beginning, we can help you seamlessly transition to the long-term sending agency and minimize your time spent at home raising support and completing the necessary sending organization requirements between assignments.
