Teaching Opportunities in the Curriculum

The Faculty Director of the UC San Diego School of Medicine (SOM) Latine Health Initiative will lead elective programs designed to enhance the Spanish-language proficiency and cultural competency of medical students, particularly in the context of caring for Latine patients. The director will coordinate expansion of the elective curriculum and collaborate with student organizations, faculty, and international partners to foster a robust educational community. This role will interface with the SOM’s curricular, student affairs, and diversity and community partnerships units to facilitate integrated elective courses, including existing international clinical programs like Health Frontiers in Tijuana (HFIT), Viaje Interinstitucional de Integracion, docente, asistencial y de investigacion (VIIDAI), and the Global Health Academic Concentration (GHAC) as well as a new iteration of the Medical Spanish elective course, while also engaging in social and cultural events, supporting students as they engage in relationships with Latine communities and stakeholders. This is a funded position with administrative support through the Dean’s Office’s Division of Medical Education.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Curriculum Development and Leadership:
   • Develop and implement a Medical Spanish elective course that emphasizes linguistic proficiency and cultural competence in providing care to Spanish-speaking Latine patients.
   • Collaborate with existing programs, such as HFIT, VIIDAI, and GHAC to expand clinical and educational opportunities focused on Latine health.
   • Ensure that students participating in the elective and related activities gain practical language skills and demonstrate cultural competence in medical practice.
   • Work with the School of Medicine administration to align the curriculum with institutional goals and educational standards, particularly focusing on expanding elective opportunities focusing on Latine patients.
2. Community Building and Student Support:
   • Foster a supportive community by organizing social and cultural events, encouraging interaction between medical students and Latine communities.
   • Serve as a liaison between student organizations, in particular the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), and the faculty to promote student involvement and leadership.
   • Provide individualized mentorship and support for students participating in the Medical Spanish elective and other Latine health-related programs.
   • Address challenges students may encounter related to language acquisition, cultural immersion, and clinical application.
   • Work with the School of Medicine administration to align community partnership efforts with institutional goals and educational standards.
3. Partnerships and Program Expansion:
   • Collaborate with faculty involved in HFIT, VIIDAI, GHAC, and other relevant initiatives to facilitate cross-program interactions and advise SOM leadership on best practices to integrate Latine health topics into the broader medical curriculum.
   • Build and maintain relationships with Latine community organizations, both locally and internationally, to provide students with opportunities for experiential learning.
   • Lead efforts to expand international relationships into sustainable, longitudinal educational and clinical experiences focused on Latine health.
4. Teaching and Support:
   • Provide instruction in the Medical Spanish elective as well as in related programs on best practices for language instruction and cultural competency training.
   • Support faculty development initiatives aimed at improving the integration of Latine health issues into the broader medical school curriculum.
5. Assessment and Evaluation:
   • Oversee the assessment of student learning outcomes in the Medical Spanish course and Latine health programs, ensuring that students achieve the desired language proficiency and cultural competence.
   • Utilize student feedback to continually refine and improve the Medical Spanish elective and related extracurricular activities.

Qualifications:

• MD, DO, Ph.D., or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated proficiency in medical Spanish and experience working with Spanish-speaking populations, preferably in a clinical setting.
• Experience in curriculum development and/or teaching in language acquisition and cultural competence.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse groups, including students, faculty, community organizations, and international partners.

Application Deadline and Contact:  The deadline for submission is Friday, February 7, 2025.  Please submit your C.V. and Letter of Intent to Jennifer Denson at jdenson@health.ucsd.edu.