Evelyn Fung wasn’t just seeking a dental school; she was searching for a launchpad to improve the lives of every future patient by bridging the communication gap, regardless of the language they speak.
She found the right university, as Texas Tech Health El Paso is helping eliminate barriers to health care as the nation’s only health sciences center training medical and dental school students in Spanish.
The Spanish Language Program is integrated into the curriculum at the Foster School of Medicine and the Hunt School of Dental Medicine. It’s offered to students in their first two years of school, and is tailored to the specific linguistic needs of future health care providers.
Fung, a first-year dental student, said she enjoyed the “organic introduction” to the Spanish language. She recognizes the program as an asset to herself and her future patients.
“When health professionals and patients speak the same language, care becomes safer, faster and more personal,” Fung said. “Connecting with our community is essential, and I’m proud to be part of a school that shares that commitment.”
Speaking the same language also improves patient outcomes as it increases the trust patients have in their health care teams.
During a three-week community immersion program this summer, Fung and her classmates were able to build their vocabularies and practice conversational Spanish.
“The program equips our medical and dental students with the linguistic and cultural skills needed to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients,” said Gilberto Garcia, director of the Spanish Language Program. “Beyond grammar and vocabulary, the curriculum focuses on real clinical scenarios, patient interviews and culturally relevant health education, improving patient trust and compliance.”
Students use their skills first-hand at community outreach events when conducting full patient interviews in Spanish without an interpreter. These events are made possible through partnerships with local clinics and community organizations.
“One patient expressed deep gratitude, explaining that it was the first time in years she felt completely understood by a health care provider,” Garcia said. “The students later shared that the experience reinforced their commitment to practicing in underserved communities and demonstrated firsthand how language skills can break down barriers to care.”
Building confidence in patient communication
To date, more than 800 medical and dental students have received instruction from the Spanish Language Program. Garcia said test data consistently shows students’ significant improvement in language proficiency across all levels.
In recent class cohorts, over 90% of students reported that the program improved their confidence in communicating with Spanish-speaking patients.
Medical Spanish classes have been part of the curriculum for the medical school since it opened in 2009, and the dental school since opening in 2021.
Closing the gap
Texas Tech Health El Paso is leading efforts in bridging health care and education across our Borderplex region, improving student success and well-being. To learn more about how Texas Tech Health El Paso is improving lives and empowering generations or how you can help, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.
The post Texas Tech Health El Paso bridges communication gap with medical Spanish appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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