Medical Students from Mexico Visit UArizona to Learn About Public Health Programs

Sept. 15, 2022
Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, UArizona

In August, eight medical students from the Universidad del Valle de México (UVM) visited the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health in Tucson, Arizona, for a two-week ‘Global Collaboration, Culture, and Community Health Program’ that introduced them to public health programs, research, and community outreach.

Eight UVM students wearing white medical coats are standing surrounding the MEXCOPH building sign

The program was coordinated by the Global Health Institute (GHI) at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH), and included seminars and lectures from MEZCOPH faculty, staff and alumni.

Students also participated in tours that gave them a detailed overview of Campus Health and the research programs at the Public Health Experimental Lab. In addition they completed the Primary Prevention Mobile Health Unit training to deliver health services, and participated in volunteer rotations at various community events.

To experience current medical technology, students took part in simulation sessions at the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center in Tucson, the Center for Simulation and Innovation in Phoenix, and the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory. They also visited the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pascua Yaqui Reservation to gain perspective on the diverse populations and healthcare systems of our state.

UVM students visiting a lab on the University of Arizona campus during their program visit

The program provided the UVM students with an increased understanding of public health principles and intercultural competence. With guidance from GHI staff, the students worked collaboratively in pairs to design a community health program proposal that would address a specific health need for a specific population in their home region and presented their proposals on the last day.

This international exchange was made possible through the efforts of Gaby Valdez, PhD, and Roxanna Apaez, both with the Global Health Institute at UArizona, working with our partners at UVM. 

This unique program is helping to establish lasting connections with the students and between UVM and UArizona that will promote public health education in the United States and Mexico. 

You can read the story in Spanish published by UVM to learn more about the experience.

Check out more photos in the MEXCOPH Flickr photo album here.