MEZCOPH summer program engages students from Mexico with public health in Arizona
The 'Global Collaboration, Culture, and Community Health Summer Program' for students from the Universidad del Valle de México, organized by the Global Health Institute at the Zuckerman College of Public Health, engaged participants with a range of public health and community health services experiences and introduced them to public health education at the University of Arizona’s campus in Tucson.
In July 2024, the Global Health Institute (GHI) at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH) proudly hosted nine students from the nursing, physiotherapy, and medicine programs across various campuses of the Universidad del Valle de México (UVM), along with Dr, Ana Marina Mar Baruato, a faculty member from UVM Campus Cumbres. This two-week Global Collaboration, Culture, and Community Health Summer Program, led by Dr. Gabriela Valdez, Roxanna Apaez, and visiting scholar Christian Hernandez from the Universidad de Guadalajara, provided an immersive and educational experience in public health.
The Zuckerman College of Public Health has a dual-degree program partnership with UVM so that UVM students can earn their BS in Public Health degree from the U of A at the same time as their health-related degree from UVM.
“It was really rewarding for the students to learn about all we have to offer here in the college for public health education, and to see our community programs,” says Dr. Valdez, “We got to know them, and they got to know us, and we’re very pleased to be working with UVM students in this summer program and through the dual-degree program.”
Throughout the program, participants delved into various public health principles through hands-on activities and experiential learning. They explored the University of Arizona's Health Sciences Campus, the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory, and the Phoenix Bioscience Core, to learn about health education in Arizona. They also engaged with the college’s Primary Prevention Mobile Health Units (MHU) in Tucson and Phoenix and the Street Medicine Phoenix program to gain practical insights into community health interventions.
Students had the unique opportunity to volunteer at several MHU events in Tucson, contributing directly to community health efforts. Additionally, they participated in reflective activities and group discussions, deepening their understanding of intercultural communication and organizational structures in public health.
A key component of the program was the collaborative project work. Students worked in teams to design a community health program proposal tailored to a specific population within their home communities. This project allowed them to apply their learning and develop actionable solutions for real-world health challenges.
Special thanks to the MHU and Street Medicine teams, Campus Health, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and all faculty and staff who warmly welcomed the UVM students and contributed to the program’s success. Their support made the visit both impactful and memorable.
This program not only enhanced participants' knowledge of public health but also strengthened our partnership with UVM. We are committed to continuing this collaboration and advancing our shared goals in global health education. We look forward to future exchanges that foster international understanding and improve health outcomes worldwide.
This story was originally published on August 7, 2024 at publichealth.arizona.edu/newsroom.
