Latino Health

The Latino Health Pathway provides an enriched learning experience over the four years of medical school through additional courses, electives, as well as clinical, international, and community-based activities, for those students with intermediate and advanced Spanish language proficiency (written and spoken) interested in developing language, cultural and clinical skills to work with Spanish speaking patients, families, and communities. This Pathway is a student-initiated and student- coordinated curriculum * with faculty support and oversight through the Division of Medical Humanities.

Hasta en Los Huesos Pero Con Plumas de Avestruz

All artwork displayed within the Latino Pathway website courtesy of Sofia Soledad Gonzalez Reynoso

Each year, 1 - 2 LHP students elect to participate in curriculum development, evaluation, and co-ordination of a particular component of the Pathway for their year-- Part I in first year (seminar content and evaluation activities) , or Part II or Part III in second year, or electives, or community outreach/service activities in third and fourth year). Student co-ordinators receive credit for their work through the “curriculum design” elective.

Admission to the Pathway is through a competitive application process. Enrollment is limited to 10 students each year.

Goals

  • To develop spoken and written skills in medical/clinical Spanish, knowledge and sensitivity about Spanish culture, and particularly attitudes, explanations about health and disease, and healthcare issues relevant to the diverse population of Latinos in the Rochester area.
  • To consolidate and develop clinical skills in taking a history and performing a physical exam in Spanish so that students can work competently and effectively in clinical settings with Spanish speaking patients
  • To strengthen the relationship between medical students at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and the local Latino community
  • To provide opportunities for clinical electives locally and internationally in Spanish speaking countries