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Spanish Immersion
 

MWU/CCOM Spanish Language
and Cultural Immersion Program

The Latino population is the fastest growing minority group in the United States.  As part of an effort to introduce students to the concepts of cultural and language competency early in their medical careers, the Department of Family Medicine at MWU/CCOM, in cooperation with the Illinois Health Education Consortium and the SEARCH program, have developed a Family Medicine summer elective program - “Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion.”

The program included:

• 45 hours of Spanish language instruction,
• 30 hours of seminars on Latino culture,
• 16 hours of clinical experience in a SEARCH Program clinic serving a primarily Latino patient population, and
• home stays with Latino families

Participating students must complete their first year of medical school.  They receive 20 hours of elective credit in Family Medicine.

The program has received very high praise from the participating students.  Most experienced dramatic increase in their Spanish language skills during the intense 3-week program.  The Department of Family Medicine plans to track the students throughout their medical school careers to determine if they continue to develop their language skills, and to observe their choice of specialty training and location of practice.  (Click on the image to view larger picture.)

 

This program is supported by a Grant for Predoctoral Education from the
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).