UHS CULTURAL IMMERSION TRIPS

Utah Health Scholars were thrilled to participate in a healthcare cultural immersion trip to the Dominican Republic. This trip gave pre-health students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in tackling global health issues by providing care to underserved communities in the Dominican Republic. The trip also exposed them to different cultures and lifestyles, teaching them about the importance of cultural competency in the medical field.

The entire experience is designed to show future healthcare providers the power of service and the impact it can have on communities in need.

Students had the opportunity to take part in various professional development activities. In partnering with a local clinic, the students were able to interact with local professionals while assisting in treating local patients. They also learned about the culture of the Dominican Republic through service projects and experiencing the local cuisine and customs. This combination of activities provided those involved with a well-rounded, deeply enriching, and meaningful experience.

Hunter Torgersen, a Utah Health Scholar who attended the trip mentioned, “Working with Dominican health care providers opened my eyes to patient care approaches I had never considered before. Experiencing the perspective of their culture on well-being was insightful and inspiring.”

The Utah Health Scholars are opening their upcoming cultural immersion trip to the Dominican Republic to pre-health university students at any school in the state of Utah. This trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience that will shape the future of Utah’s pre-health students, helping them to become compassionate and knowledgeable healthcare providers. This trip will give students the opportunity to see firsthand the inequities and disparities that exist in global healthcare and will hopefully inspire them to become advocates for change in the rural and underrepresented communities of Utah.

An upcoming trip on June 3rd through 10th is open to community members, alumni, and other health professionals. The cost of the trip is $2,300 and includes the flight, lodging, and meals. Interested participants can contact Rita Osborn at osborn@ suu.edu or 435-590-8520.