Hosted by the Global Health department. Des Moines University’s Department of Global Health gives students, faculty, alumni and others an opportunity to gain real-world experience in international medicine. The department offers experiences and electives around the world. 

Target Audience

Des Moines University faculty and staff.

Purpose

This webinar will highlight the impact of patient-provider language concordance on clinical practice and health care delivery in an increasingly diverse population. We will specifically discuss the current state of medical Spanish curriculum in U.S. medical schools and resources available to help institutions assess their health and scientific workforce efforts to address cultural and linguistic competency.

Participants will also learn about the Medical Spanish program at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine and discuss the components of medical Spanish skill evaluation and certification. There will be an extended Q&A session at the end.

Resources

• Medical Spanish Programs in the United States: A Critical Review of Published Studies and a Proposal of Best Practices External Link
• Foreign Language Assessment and Training in U.S. Medical Education Is a Must External Link
• Medical Students’ Experiences and Perspectives on Interpreting for LEP Patients at Two US Medical Schools External Link
• Evaluation of a Medical Spanish Elective for Senior Medical Students: Improving Outcomes through OSCE Assessments External Link

Speakers

David Acosta, MD
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Association of American Medical Colleges
Biography

Norma A. Pérez, MD, DrPH 
Director, School of Medicine Special Programs, Director, Hispanic Center of Excellence, Office of Student Affairs and Admissions, University of Texas Medical Branch
Biography

Brenda Robles 
Coordinator, Language Interpreters Program, National Institutes of Health
Biography

Yumirle Turmelle, MD 
Advanced Medical Spanish Course Faculty Advisor, Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine

Moderator

Pilar Ortega, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago – College of Medicine
Attending Physician, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Author, Spanish and the Medical Interview
Biography