CMDA | Application Process

Please read this entire page BEFORE applying for your trip.

To be considered for a trip, all applications must be submitted with a registration fee of $150.00. This registration fee is non-transferable, non-refundable. If your circumstances prevent you from participating on the team, your registration fee will not be refunded but can be held for up to one year for participation on another trip.If you are not accepted because the team is full, you will be refunded. In addition, we must receive signed Travel Permission Form and Waiver before the application will be accepted. It is GHO policy that every participant travel with GHO and that GHO makes the travel arrangements. NOTE: We cannot ticket you without a signed Travel Permission Form! No Exceptions! Thank you! See below to print forms and fax to the GHO office at 423-764-1417. Please click below to read about GHO's changes in billing policy for Project Fees and Airfare.

Important Note! You must have a valid passport to travel with GHO. The expiration date cannot be less than 6 months out from trip return to the USA. It may take 3 to 6 months to receive a passport from your local passport office; therefore, you may consider obtaining your passport via g3visas at www.g3visas.com

The Spiritual Dimensions of our Ministry

Going on a CMDA Global Health Outreach mission is not the same as taking a vacation to an exotic place where many Americans feel free to abandon the cares and restraints of daily life among strangers whom they do not expect to see again. Our mission projects are not “getaways” from responsibility, nor are they “volunteer vacations” to feel self-satisfied by “doing good.” As health care professionals we take along our skills to relieve physical suffering, and as Christians we bring our faith to share in spiritual healing. We go as ambassadors of Jesus Christ to work among people we do hope to see again, if only in eternity. As true ambassadors of our Lord, the burden is upon us to bridge the cultural differences necessary to reach them for Christ.

The primary distinctive that sets CMDA/GHO apart from other short-term medical missions is the emphasis we place on ministry within our teams. We not only go abroad to minister to others, but also to get outside our comfort zones and place ourselves in a position to hear the Lord speak to us in ways we don’t hear at home. This requires a process going beyond the simple sharing of Christian fellowship to developing true spiritual unity within a cohesive team. We agree to lay aside the things that separate us to join as brothers and sisters in Christ to focus on what binds us together. We also agree to facilitate mutual growth by sharing our own insights and experiences during the times set aside for spiritual reflection, prayer, and praise to God. By serving others together in unity, we bond in kindred relationships that can last a lifetime.

Our Biblical Model for Cross-Cultural Ministry

Our model for cross-cultural ministry is Jesus Christ, whose own incarnational ministry bridged the chasm between Heaven and earth. Having come as one of us, we know He understands the solutions to our problems and concerns. In the same way, we who go to other cultures to share the Gospel must do so with humility and sensitivity to the cultural context of their needs.

Our behavior has a much more profound impact upon people than what we may tell them. Therefore, it is critical we model behavior that is truly Christ-like, both publicly and privately. Paul tells us the things in which we may have liberty can be a “stumbling block” to others (I Corinthians 8), and we do not wish to give offense and defeat our purpose by careless actions. In coming alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ in developing countries we need to be sensitive to their world-view and willingly lay aside everything that might hinder our ministry there. We must bear the responsibility of bridging cultural differences. We want to be perceived as ambassadors, not “tourists.”

Expectations for Exemplary Personal Conduct

In adapting to the contextual expectations of those we seek to serve, there are some practical restrictions we must all agree to follow for the duration of each project: No alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, or attending bars and discos. In addition to being circumspect in public, immoral private behavior is not condoned by GHO. Only married, heterosexual couples may share a room when double accommodations are available. Unmarried couples should not leave the project area alone. Our actions and relationships should be modeled upon those of our Lord’s life and ministry, which was above reproach. By going to serve and not be served (Mark 10:45), GHO teams truly discover what Jesus meant when He said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

All participants in GHO short-term foreign mission projects are expected to adhere to these standards of conduct. Anyone who cannot accept these terms for the duration of the project should not apply. The Team Leader is obligated by GHO policy to dismiss anyone who betrays the trust of the group by violating these standards, and his or her decision in the matter will be final.

Who Can Apply?

Anyone is eligible to apply for a GHO trip as long as there is availability and the applicant is in agreement with the GHO rules and regulations as stated on the application. Preference is given to medical and dental professionals based on the types of skills needed for each trip.

Application Requirements

Please print, complete and mail or fax the following documents required as a part of applying for a GHO short-term mission trip. (Simply close the new window after viewing each document to continue). Incomplete applications, or those not accompanied by the necessary fees and/or supporting documents, will not receive favorable consideration. A signed waiver (including liability release, agreement for exemplary conduct and photo/testimony release) with the deposit must be submitted for each project. A signed Travel Arrangements Permission form must be submitted for each project. Please note: Participants are required to travel as a group with the GHO team. “Standing” applications are not legally binding and will not be kept on file.

Travel Permission Form (PDF)

Waiver (PDF)
Minor Supplement (PDF) - if applicable

To apply for a GHO mission trip, please complete and submit the following: (Please note: If you get an error message, please come back to this page and download the .pdf file below. Complete the application and fax to GHO along with credit card information for payment. Thank you!)

GHO Online Trip Application (with $150 non-refundable/non-transferable registration fee) or

Download Application in PDF File:

GHO Application in PDF

Once your application has been received by us, we will email you regarding your status. Please note that your application will not be considered COMPLETE until you have signed and returned the Waiver of Responsibility, and the Travel Permission Form to GHO. Only complete applications will be considered for acceptance.

Project Fees, Airfare & Cancellations

Dates listed are U.S. departure and return dates. Total costs include the "project fee" which covers room, board, ground transportation and other project expenses. The project fee does not include international or domestic flights, passport, visa or immunizations. Project fees cannot be pro-rated for partial participation. Each participant will be billed for "project fees" and for "airline tickets".

If the project is fully booked, or if an application is not approved, the full amount of the deposit may be refunded or transferred to another trip. Participants who cancel after airline tickets are secured in their name will not be refunded for the cost of the airline tickets. The participant will be free to use or exchange the ticket at the discretion of the vendor. Please note that airline tickets are usually non-transferable and if they can be changed will require extra fees.

All cancellations must be received in the GHO office in writing by completing the following form. Please note this form MUST be faxed and/or mailed to the GHO office immediately upon notice of cancellation. You will not be officially cancelled from the team until this signed form is received. GHO cannot accept email or voice mail cancellations.

Cancellation Policy

Airfare

International group airfares are booked from gateway cities, and these discounts require participation in the group travel arrangements. Due to strict regulations when carrying meds and supplies into foreign countries AND the additional fees now charged by the airlines for luggage, GHO will book your domestic AND international flights. All applicants will be required to travel with the group.

Special mission discount fares are booked when available. As a general rule, the earlier fares are booked, the lower the price will be. All costs are quoted as of publication date and are subject to change without notice.

GHO works with a travel agent to secure airline flights. You will be asked to verify the airport closest to your hometown (for the domestic portion of your flight). Please note the best time and method to contact you for verification of your flight itinerary. Payment is due at the time of ticketing. Project fees are due 2 - 3 weeks before trip departure.

If you have questions about traveling with GHO, contact Sue Buyck at 423-844-1016 or Alicia Trivett at 423-844-1037.

Tax Deductions

IRS tax-deductible receipts will be issued for all donations toward CMDA project expenses. Revenue Canada receipts are not available through CMDA at this time.

Who is welcomed on a GHO team?

Unless specified, each project needs physicians (of any specialty), dentists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, optometrists, students (medical, dental, nursing, physical therapists, pharmacy, pre-med, etc.), medical technologists, interpreters, and support staff/non-medical volunteers.

Primary Medicine/Dentistry Projects
The primary care projects need the following components: family/general medicine, family/general dentistry, internal medicine and its non-invasive subspecialties, ENT, pediatrics, dermatology and OB/GYN, nurses, physical therapists and EMT’s are needed.

Surgical Trips
These teams need general surgeons, urologists, GYNs, anesthesiologists, CRNAs, surgical nurses and CSTs are needed.

Specialized Surgery Projects
These require the appropriate surgeons and technical assistants. In general, GHO projects do not include high-risk procedures, or those requiring extensive follow-up, unless the proper facilities and local attending physicians are available.

PFI
Prison ministry teams work in conjunction with Prison Fellowship International, ministering within prison facilities. Participants must be at least 18 years of age.

Students
Students are welcome to apply for all GHO trips unless otherwise specified. GHO trips are excellent learning opporutnites for students.

Families
Spouses and children, age 12 and older, are welcome (unless noted).

Overseas Medical Professional Liability Coverage

• Click here for more information on Overseas Medical Professional Liability Coverage

Where do I send the application and donations?

Applications, waivers, documents, photos, etc, can be mailed to:

Global Health Outreach
PO Box 7500
Bristol TN 37621

Fax: 423-764-1417
Email: gho@cmda.org