The IHSC is the vision of a small group of students from USF College of Medicine and College of Public Health with an interest in international health. While both colleges had student interest groups that performed service projects, USF lacked a student-led interdisciplinary organization that allowed students from all health sciences arenas to work together to develop community health projects. The various schools have had much success with projects implemented within their own discipline, but each lacked important elements needed for a comprehensive approach to combating community health disparities. The belief in sustainable health projects that address the underlying problems of health and disease, not just temporary relief, has finally brought together a strong group of students who are motivated to implement projects with this approach.

The IHSC founding board consists of 12 students, and there has been much interest from all USF Health schools, including students from nursing and physical therapy. The founding board is made up of a diverse group of individuals with impressive individual and combined health experiences, from aspiring and current health professionals to former Peace Corps volunteers.