NEW YORK RESIDENT TO STUDY PRIMARY CARE IN ECUADOR

Seaford, New York resident Kimberly Herrera, a fourth year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) will be traveling to Ecuador as part of an International Health Studies Program through BUSM. Herrera will travel to Riobamba and Quito, Ecuador for 4 weeks to study primary care medicine at the Cacha Medical Spanish Institute.

“My goal is to improve my command of the Spanish language, while immersing myself fully into the Ecuadorian culture. I look forward to educating patients about health risks that are prevalent in the Latin American culture, such as diabetes and hypertension, and how to prevent these diseases,” said Herrera.

“International studies strengthen students’ understanding of medicine in other parts of the world, while giving them the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives abroad,” said Suzanne Sarfaty, MD, assistant dean for Student Affairs, director of International Health Programs and associate professor of medicine at BUSM. “Students have the opportunity to broaden their perspective on health and human illness in diverse and often underserved health care systems. Many of the skills and traits students develop while working in these international settings, such as language skills or cultural sensitivity, make students better physicians.”

Established in 1873, Boston University School of Medicine is a leading academic and research institution, with an enrollment of nearly 630 students and more than 1,100 full and part-time faculty members. It is known for its programs in arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, human genetics, pulmonary disease and dermatology, among others, and is one of the major biomedical research institutions in the United States. The School is affiliated with Boston Medical Center, its principal teaching hospital, and Boston Veterans Administration Medical Center. Along with Boston Medical Center and 15 community health centers, the School of Medicine is a partner in Boston HealthNet.

To learn more about the program please visit
www.bumc.bu.edu/Dept/Home.aspx?DepartmentID=523