The United States Department of State has awarded Regis College a competitive grant from its Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program, which supports efforts of U.S. colleges and universities to expand study abroad opportunities for their students. With funding from the IDEAS grant, Regis will design a new faculty-led health sciences education abroad program in Bolivia in May 2024.
The group will travel to Santa Cruz de la Sierra with Prof. Gabour. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about Bolivia's unique Unified Health System, the education and training of healthcare professionals in another culture, and the challenges of providing equitable access to healthcare for everyone. The program will also include a guided tour of Santa Cruz (Bolivia's largest city), entry to other cultural sites in the vicinity, and hands-on volunteer work with a local organization dedicated to serving those in need.
During the holiday break, Dean of Health Sciences Laura Burke, Assistant Professor of Health Sciences Marie Gabour, and Director of Global Connections Megan Gibbons traveled to Bolivia and met with members of Universidad Católica Boliviana (UCB) and Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo (UNIFRANZ). These two universities showed great enthusiasm and excitement to participate in this partnership with Regis.
The program, "Operación Acceso: Healthcare Professionals at Home and Abroad" will allow students the opportunity to immerse themselves in South American culture while sharing their knowledge in healthcare to the citizens of Bolivia.
“This will be an unforgettable experience for both the students and faculty here at Regis” said Laura Burke, Dean of Health Sciences. “We are so thankful for the opportunity to partner with such wonderful schools like Universidad Católica Boliviana (UCB) and Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo (UNIFRANZ).”
The Center for Global Connections has extended the deadline for the program till January 31. To learn more about the trip contact the Center for Global Connections.
This [item/program] was funded [in part] by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated [herein] are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.
