Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health leadership visits new partners at Universidad del Valle de Mexico, plans expansion of dual degree program
Dr. Iman Hakim, Dean of the UArizona’s Zuckerman College of Public Health, and Dr. Gaby Valdez, Director of Global Education for the college’s Global Health Institute, met in Mexico with leadership from the Universidad del Valle de México (UVM)
Left to right: Justin Dutram, UArizona AVP for Mexico and Latin America; Mary Anne Colin, UVM National Director of Internationalization; Dr. Gabriela Valdez, Director of Education, GHI, Dr. Iman Hakim, Dean of the Zuckerman College of Public Health; Rogelio Enrique Carrera, UVM National Director of Health Sciences; Blanca Aurora Hernadez, UVM National Director of Medicine and Dentistry; Raul Caraballo, UVM National Academic Vice-President.
Dr. Iman Hakim, Dean of the University of Arizona’s Zuckerman College of Public Health, Dr. Gabriela Valdez, Director of Global Education for the college’s Global Health Institute, and Justin Dutram, UArizona Assistant Vice President for Latin America and Mexico, traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, to meet with leadership from the Universidad del Valle de México (UVM). The trip enabled UArizona and UVM to continue building their partnership and discuss the expansion of the dual degree program between the two institutions that enables students from Mexico to earn their BS in Public Health at the same time as their degree at UVM.
The delegation from the UArizona met with leadership from UVM including Raúl Caraballo Guevara, National Academic Vice President, Mary Anne Colin Gascón, National Director of Internationalization, and Dr. Blanca Aurora Hernández Cruz, National Director of Medicine and Dentistry, over the course of two days. They also met with the incoming cohort of 38 dual degree UVM medical students. Discussion topics included the design of a positive student experience for UVM dual degree students, and the expansion of the dual degree BS in Public Health program to include UVM majors in psychology, physiotherapy, nursing, dentistry, and pharmaco-biotechnological chemistry. Dr. Hakim and Dr. Valdez also participated in a panel discussion about women in health leadership, and attended the opening event for a new dentistry clinic.
“We had a great visit to Universidad del Valle de México campus Zapopan where we discussed new programs and ways we can strengthen our partnership,” said Dr. Valdez, “Meeting current and future Zuckerman College of Public Health students was a highlight. Thanks to our hosts Mary Anne Colin Gascón, Blanca Aurora Hernandez Cruz, Raúl Caraballo Guevara, and everyone at UVM for their outstanding welcome! Thanks to Dean Iman Hakim and AVP Justin Dutram for all their support for this growing partnership.”
This pioneering collaboration, rooted in a commitment by both institutions to elevate international education, began with a dual degree program where students will pursue Medicine at UVM and Public Health (BS) at the UArizona’s Zuckerman College of Public Health. The dual degree program will equip graduates with a comprehensive skill set, blending medical expertise with a deep understanding of public health, setting the stage for impactful contributions to healthcare services and community health in Mexico.
This innovative partnership was initiated and led from the UArizona side, by Dr. Valdez and AVP Dutram. Everyone involved in the recent visit felt very positive about the discussions among leadership and students and the opportunities for collaboration moving forward.
“We live in an interconnected world, and our countries share many of the same health challenges,” said Dr. Hakim, “this partnership will help us educate the next generation of health leaders who can find solutions to emerging health threats and build a safer, healthier, happier world for all.”
This story was originally published on April 25, 2024 at publichealth.arizona.edu/newsroom.