Join local healthcare professionals and learn about primary care and preventative medicine, as well as community health education programs. Rotate at community level clinics and hospitals serving low-income populations. See Mexico’s three-tiered insurance system, and understand how quality of care, wait times and access to medications varies between each. In 1940, Mexico’s life expectancy was 40 years of age. Today, with increased industrialization and longer life spans, Mexico is struggling with “first world diseases.” Witness chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension that are increasingly common as a result of poor nutrition, unhealthy lifestyle and lack of education. This program will provide participants with unique insight and cultural competency when serving the growing Mexican immigrant population in the US and abroad.

Become immersed in Mexican culture and language through Spanish classes and living with a local family in Oaxaca. In the city of Oaxaca, go shopping, explore museums and art galleries, or hang out with locals in the vibrant Zócalo or main plaza.

The state of Oaxaca is best known for its indigenous peoples and cultures. There are sixteen officially recognized indigenous groups in Oaxaca, the most populous being the Zapotec or Mixtec. These groups have survived better than most others in Mexico due to the state's rugged and isolating terrain. It is estimated that at least a third of the population speaks indigenous languages, and 50% do not speak Spanish.

The capital city, Oaxaca de Juarez or Oaxaca City, is located in a beautiful valley surrounded by the Sierra Mountains, approximately 500 km south of Mexico City. At the center of the city is Santo Domingo Plaza with a magnificent church and convent dating back to the 16th century. The city’s cobblestone streets and architecture date to Spanish colonial times and are bustling with creative artisans and street vendors.

Clinical Rotations & Public Health Placements

Primary Healthcare Centers- Located in every neighborhood, these clinics provide services including health education and promotion, diagnosis and treatment of disease, prenatal care and family planning, and primary care services including vaccinations and well-child checkups. Join physicians and nurses educating the local population about chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and infectious diseases including dengue, malaria and tuberculosis. These facilities also offer vaccinations, pap swears, and cancer screenings.

General Government Hospital- This teaching hospital, located in the northern part of the city, receives funding from the government and civil organizations in Oaxaca. It provides primary, secondary and tertiary care at low cost. Rotate alongside Mexican medical students and residents in ob/gyn, pediatrics, surgery, and emergency wards. Participate in morning rounds, general consults, and follow-up treatment.  

Government Social Security Hospital- This government funded facility provides secondary and tertiary care for state workers, including school teachers, and their family members. Take part in rounds in surgery, ob/gyn and emergency units. The facility has a strong surgical department and staff here are eager to mentor students.

Traditional Medicine Clinic- This small clinic focuses on traditional medicine from Eastern and Western cultures. The main preceptor is a doctor trained in holistic medicine and nutrition. In this spa-like atmosphere, learn how acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy and herbal remedies are used to treat common ailments like asthma, chronic pain and gastrointestinal issues.  

Red Cross Clinic- This clinic has been in operation for over 60 years, with 2 emergency rooms and 6 beds. It handles urgent care cases like broken bones, lacerations, and accidents. More serious cases are stabilized and transferred to a nearby hospital. Join physicians and residents at this busy facility, located in the historic center of Oaxaca. During down time, learn emergency room techniques and procedures from local residents.

Nonprofit Rehabilitation Center- This state-of-the-art facility receives most of its funding from a national telethon campaign televised annually. It provides genetic counseling for families, as well as physical and speech therapy. It also provides services and equipment for handicapped children from across the state of Oaxaca. Rotate alongside orthopedic specialists, general practitioners and rehabilitation experts, and participate in patient consultations and rounds. Since its opening in 1997, this facility has provided care for over 4,000 children.

CFHI is considered a global health ethics leader therefore CFHI programs uphold strict standards and comply with all local laws regarding student involvement in health settings. Your experience on the program depends on your previous clinical training (if applicable), Spanish level, and the relationship you build with your supervising preceptor. Above all, YOU are the most important factor in making the CFHI experience as fulfilling as possible by being respectful, inquisitive, and open to the wide variety of learning experiences which you will encounter.

Participants stay with homestay families, chosen and screened by the CFHI Local Coordinator and language school. Homestays are located in a middle class residential neighborhood in the historic center of Oaxaca City. They are located in close proximity to one another and the language school, allowing participants to walk to language classes and meetings with ease.

Approximate Program Dates:
This program offers a start date once per month. Students may choose program dates that best suite their program.

Requirements:
This CFHI program is open to fourth-year medical students. 
 

CMU Office of Study Abroad Scholarship:
Scholarships in the amount of $500 are available for faculty-led programs and students studying abroad for eight weeks or longer in the summer are eligible for up to $750. Scholarships for semester participants range from $500 - $2,500. For more information, please contact the Office of Study Abroad.

Additional Scholarships:
For information about scholarships for which you may apply on campus and nationally, please visit the Scholarship page.