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National Student Program

The goal of the PHR National Student Program is to advance health professional students’ understanding and lifelong commitment to human rights activism, and to cultivate their unique contributions as advocates for human rights locally, nationally and globally. The PHR National Student Program supports PHR’s mission by offering students the chance to contribute meaningfully to PHR’s work and developing the next generation of human rights activists.

Why students?

Students are:

  • Energetic, dedicated, and ready to make an impact now
  • Idealistic and visionary
  • Ready to apply clinical skills as well as develop advocacy and leadership skills
  • Responsive and ready to mobilize

Are you a student, medical resident, or young professional?

PHR offers a range of educational, leadership, and advocacy opportunities:

  • Education about PHR’s research and evidence-based advocacy
  • Regional and national trainings to learn more about human rights and develop advocacy skills
  • The opportunity to contribute to PHR through action, advocacy, and leadership
  • The chance to engage with a vibrant community as you develop a lifelong commitment to defending human rights

Columbia University Libraries Acquires The Physicians for Human Rights Archives (April 3, 2012)

Columbia University Libraries' Center for Human Rights Documentation & Research announced the acquisition of PHRs' Archives, a collection consisting of records, photographs, video, audio, case files of investigative data, and much more.

Susannah Sirkin Awarded Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award (February 21, 2012)

Susannah Sirkin, Deputy Director of PHR, was honored by Tufts University’s Institute for Global Leadership with the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award.

Dr. Catherine D. DeAngelis to Join PHR Board of Directors (February 16, 2012)

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today announced that Dr. Catherine (Cathy) D. DeAngelis will join the organization’s Board of Directors in June.

Donna McKay to Join PHR as Executive Director (January 12, 2012)

PHR today announced that Donna McKay will join the organization as Executive Director in February 2012. She will be based in Cambridge, Mass. A committed human rights activist, Ms. McKay brings more than 20 years of international and domestic nonprofit experience to PHR.

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Arizona v. United States: A Simple Supreme Court Case with Major Ramifications (April 24, 2012)

What would the US look like if each of the 50 states decided who they wanted to let in their borders? Or if state legislatures, motivated by racism and backed by profit-driven prison corporations, could enact laws that made living conditions for immigrants within their borders so onerous that immigrants fled in droves?

President Obama, the US Should Join the Mine Ban Treaty (April 19, 2012)

PHR joined partner organizations in an April 4, 2012, letter calling on President Obama to officially announce future US policy on landmines, and to join the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. To date, the US has not taken the official step of acceding to (joining) the monumental treaty which forbids countries from using, producing, stockpiling, or transferring anti-personnel mines, and requires countries to destroy existing mines.

Join Us: Sustainable Connections & Collaborations for Health & Human Rights (February 1, 2012)

PHR is pleased to announce the theme of this year’s National Conference: Sustainable Connections & Collaborations for Health & Human Rights. The conference, which takes place March 24 & 25 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, will be held in collaboration with the Sujal Parikh Memorial Symposium for Health & Social Justice.

PHR Calls on Obama Administration to Press for a Commission of Inquiry in Burma (July 7, 2011)

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) joined more than 20 other organizations in calling on President Obama to commit his Administration to enacting financial and banking sanctions and to pressing for an international Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes in Burma.

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PHR Applauds Administration Submission of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to Senate (May 2012)

The Obama administration's decision to submit the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to the US Senate for ratification was applauded by PHR today. Although the US signed the convention in 2009, Senate ratification is required for the US to become fully bound by the Convention

Mourning the Untimely Loss of Dr. Paul Epstein (November 2011)

PHR mourns the untimely loss of Dr. Paul Epstein, one of our pioneering medical activists, former board and executive committee member. Paul joined PHR's board in 1987 soon after the organization's launch, and participated in several landmark assessments.

Guide to Reducing Stigma and Discrimination in the Health Sector (July 2011)

Physicians for Human Rights has created a guide to assist policymakers, health workers, and civil society comprehensively respond to stigma and discrimination in the health sector, and to secure patients’ rights.

Toolkit for Using Round 10 of the Global Fund (Updated) (July 2010)

To support applicants in including health systems strengthening interventions in their proposals, PHR and the Health Workforce Advocacy Initiative, an international civil society-led coalition supported by the Global Health Workforce Alliance, in collaboration with Health Systems 20/20, have developed this Health Systems Strengthening Toolkit for Global Fund Round 10 Proposals.

More -General Research »

Related Links

Student Resources

The National Student Program provides students and young professionals with resources to support their involvement with PHR, to help them connect with one another, and to build the skills to advocate for human rights. Read More »