Cacha Medical Spanish Institute (Cachamsi) is a nonprofit organization that offers medical Spanish lessons, international clinical rotations, and volunteer opportunities among a unique indigenous population.
For the last 18 years we have had more than two thousand medical students, residents, premedical students, faculty, nurse practitioner, nursing students, and other health professionals.
There are approximately 70 million Spanish speaking people living in the United States, and this number is growing rapidly.
We have taught medical Spanish to all levels of Spanish speakers from beginner to native speakers.
The medical Spanish curriculum will cover a wide range of topics from anatomical vocabulary to medical terminology and procedures to doctor-patient relationship and cultural appropriateness.
Participants will have the opportunity to shadow various physician preceptors among different hospitals and clinics in Riobamba.
So glad you were able to pop into my Spanish class with Julia! Always wonderful to catch up with Cachamsi alumni. From left to right: Julia Chang (Stanford Medicine ‘21, current Cachamsi participant), Pablo Martínez (Cachamsi professor and coordinator), and Garrett Kneese (UT San Antonio Medical School ‘22, Cachamsi alumni)
Our Online Live Medical Spanish Fees will increase beginning January 1, 2023.
We suggest our flagship 40 hour program taken 10 hours per week. However, we will adapt to your needs. For example, participants have obtained a 10 hour package and taken the classes in coordination with us.
IN-PERSON PROGRAM
Daily courses, tailored to your level, taught by a staff of Ecuadorian linguistic professionals with years of experience in Medical Spanish curricula.
Up to 30 clinical hours per week at outpatient clinics and hospitals in the Ecuadorean public healthcare system, including rotations in rural highland township of Cacha
Fully immersive Family Stays with responsive and seasoned Riobamba families with over 20 years of experience hosting our participants. “Immersión familiar!”
Participants have the opportunity to experience Ecuador each weekend and have been able to visit volcanoes Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, and the Altar. They have also been able to experience nature in the Amazon, rich culture in cities like Cuenca and Quito, and the beautiful beaches on the coast.
WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM DIFFERENT?
Over 17 Years of Medical Spanish Immersion and Clinical Rotation Experience
Flexible Dates and Hours
Over one thousand eight hundred participants from over 60 medical and academic institutions (List of those Universities HERE)
Option to obtain the Medical Spanish Clinical Certification (Clinician Cultural and Linguistic Assessment CCLA)
Check out these testimonials!
Making a Difference
Jorge Duchicela, MD, FAAFP, named Physician of the Year
“In receiving the award, Duchicela said, “I am convinced that when the physician lives in the patient’s community and is involved in the area’s activities, this allows unsurmountable benefits to the patient, the community and the physician. I am honored to receive this award!””
GHI CORNER
Our Global Health Scholars had incredible travel opportunities in January. Those who donate to our GHI Fund support these top-notch experiences!
Cachamsi - Riobamba, Ecuador
Global Health Scholars Matt Almany (M4) and John Broderick (M4), along with classmate Elise Yoshinaga (M4), traveled to Riobamba, Ecuador at the end of January for a clinical rotation with the Cacha Medical Spanish Institute (Cachamsi). They completed a home stay which, along with daily medical Spanish lessons, significantly improved their Spanish skills. During their first week, the team visited a local grade school where they completed physical exams, collected health surveys and presented to groups of students about health habits. The following week, Matt and John worked alongside physicians, residents, and nursing staff in rural health clinics. Most days, they would set out on foot to complete home visits throughout the area; diagnosing disease such as osteoarthritis, upper respiratory infections, and dermatological conditions. During the final two weeks, John transitioned to a private hospital in downtown Riobamba where he learned to navigate internal medicine rounds in Spanish.
Along with their clinical experience, these Boonshoft students were able to enjoy some of Ecuador's famous tourist sites, monuments, and foods. They will take the lessons they learned at Cachamsi next year to residency, and far beyond.
