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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Elvira Gomez, MPH, Jessica Gonzalez, MPH, and Marilyn Aguirre-Molina, EdD. Dept of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave., Floor B3, Room 323, New York, NY 10032, 212-304-5638, egg2101@columbia.edu

Objectives: The growth of Latinos in the United States requires the preparation of public health and other health professionals to address the needs of the Latino community. This will require educational models and training strategies that respond to these needs. The Mailman School of Public Health (MSPH) and La Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) established an academic partnership with the following objectives: 1) to prepare health science students to work with Latino populations both domestically and internationally, and 2) contribute to the capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Dominican Republic via student placements to conduct projects identified by the NGO. This partnership was evaluated to identify the effect of the program and NGO satisfaction with the academic exchange.

Methods: Two outcomes will be described: (1) the process of establishing educational partnerships with university and non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and (2) the qualitative process used to assess the NGOs satisfaction with the program and students' performance. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with NGO leaders and analyzed using Atlas.ti software.

Results: The partnership has improved the preparation of health professionals that will be working with Latino populations. The NGOs find the program to be a valuable resource that expands capacity in a number of domains.

Conclusions: The model is effective in providing students with an experience in culturally appropriate community-based health services, while the NGOs benefit from the students' contributions. The program demonstrates how academic-community partnerships provide an opportunity for the preparation of health professionals, while expanding the organizations' limited resources.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key components of an international partnership addressing Latino community needs.
• Discuss the benefits to students participating in the program and how this contributes to a better understanding of Latino health needs.
• Develop a training program for future health professionals based on partnerships and community needs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No