At Indiana University School of Medicine, the Care of Hispanic and Latino Patients scholarly concentration prepares medical students to improve health outcomes for Hispanic and Latino populations by providing culturally appropriate medical care and strengthening clinical Spanish fluency. Designed to address a growing need in health care, this concentration equips future physicians with the skills to bridge communication gaps and deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.
Fast facts about the concentration
Location: West Lafayette
Co-directors: Raymundo Munguia-Vazquez, MD, PhD and Cecilia Isabel Tenoria, MA
Meet the co-directors
The Care of Hispanic and Latino Patients scholarly concentration is co-directed by Raymundo Munguia-Vazquez, MD, MSc, PhD, and Cecilia Tenorio, MA.
Munguia-Vazquez is the director of pre-clinical education (Phase 1) and a clinical associate professor of otolaryngology—head and neck surgery at IU School of Medicine—West Lafayette campus. As a clinician-scientist who identifies as Latino, he leads health equity projects focused on enhancing medical curriculum, building cultural competence and improving students' medical Spanish fluency. "Because I am in constant contact with this community, I understand the problems and limitations that they face in the clinical setting every day," said Munguia-Vazquez.
Tenorio is the director of the Minor in Spanish for the Professions at Purdue University, a nationally certified translator and a legal interpreter with over 20 years of experience. Having grown up in Latin America, she brings a deep understanding of how science-based knowledge and traditional beliefs coexist. "Learning another language and culture not only allows you to bridge the gap with a specific group, but also to question and reflect on your own beliefs and assumptions," said Tenorio.
What students can expect
The core of this concentration focuses on three pillars: cultural competency, specialized communication strategies and medical Spanish fluency. Students participate in hybrid and onsite coursework on Hispanic/Latino patient care, online research modules and community-engaged educational experiences exploring local health issues. A key component includes regular recitation sessions conducted entirely in Spanish with faculty from Purdue University’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese, offering structured opportunities to practice clinical conversation and specialized medical vocabulary.
Is this the right fit?
This concentration is ideal for medical students who want to build oral fluency while learning about the demographics, cultural backgrounds and unique health practices of Hispanic populations in the United States.
- Language Requirement: Intermediate-level Spanish proficiency (assessed via an application interview and college-level coursework) is required to enroll.
- Student Focus: Designed for students passionate about community health, advocacy, health equity and direct patient communication.
Examples of student research
Students in this concentration engage in scholarly projects that address health disparities and cultural care. Students can devise their own projects with a mentor, participate in group projects or join an existing project. Some completed projects include:
- Review of the Knowledge, Barriers and Facilitators of HPV Vaccination among Latino Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in the United States
- Connecting Families to Futures: Reflections on a Bilingual, Community-Based Career Pathways Innovation
- Taking Care of Hispanic and Latino Patients: Training Future Physicians at Indiana University School of Medicine- West Lafayette
- Examining Interpretation Services for Spanish-Speaking Surgical Patients in an Urban Hospital Setting
- Do Hispanic Patients Who Require a Medical Interpreter Understand the Nature and Severity of Their Glaucoma Diagnosis?
