Fostering and Achieving Cultural Equity & Sensitivity (F.A.C.E.S.)
Conversantes
What is F.A.C.E.S. Conversantes? Conversantes is a service-learning course developed by the College of Medicine Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, the Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence, and local community clinics. The class provides bilingual Spanish-speaking premed students with training and opportunities to volunteer as medical interpreter in health clinics and hospitals from southern Arizona.
In the classroom: Students learn and practice medical interpretation techniques and medical terminology in English and Spanish through a combination of lectures, role-playing exercises, case studies and presentations.
In the community: Students volunteer 2-3 hours per week as Spanish interpreters in local clinics and hospitals serving a primarily Spanish-speaking population. Participating facilities include: Clínica Amistad, Casa de Salud San Juan, St. Mary’s Hospital, Mobile Health Clinic, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic, St. Andrew’s Children Clinic (Nogales), Hansen’s Disease Clinic (Phoenix).
As volunteer Spanish medical interpreters Conversantes become valuable members of the health care team. The class provides students with direct opportunities to explore the role and responsibilities of a variety of health professions, develop mentoring relationships with local physicians and other experienced health professionals, and understand language and cultural barriers disrupting communication between physicians and their patients.
Who can apply?
Undergraduate students from the University of Arizona and Pima Community College who are bilingual Spanish-speaking, interested in pursuing a health-related profession in the near future, and available to volunteer 2-3 hours per week are encouraged to apply.
How can I apply?
Applications for Conversantes become available in this webpage twice per year: from February 15th to March 15th (for the Fall semester) and from September 1st to October 1st (for the Spring semester). You can also request an application by sending an email directly to the course instructor, Dr. Oscar Beita (obeita@email.arizona.edu).
Course Registration:
Students accepted in the Conversantes class are registered directly by the staff at the College of Medicine’s Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs. DO NOT USE WEB REGISTRATION.