Cuba

Havana, Cuba

Havana, Cuba’s colorful capital, is known for the Spanish colonial architecture of its 16th-century Old Havana downtown, including Castillo de la Real fort, now a maritime museum, and the pre-revolutionary Capitolio. 1950s American cars line the city’s streets and rumba groups play in the painted alley Callejón de Hamel. Salsa can be heard from clubs and cabaret is still performed at the famed Tropicana.

Old red shiny classic car from the front on the street
4 peoples' heads in the rearview mirror of a car
A group of people with some backpacks walking down a street with palm trees hanging over it
A person with a backpack walking on the sidewalk next to a street with colorful cars on it, that has trees and buildings alongside it
Graffiti that says "I heart Cuba"
A classic red car on the road with colorful archway buildings on the sides and a chapel in the distance
A group of people with backpacks walking down a road with trees and palm trees and various old structures along the street.
A group of people in white lab coats smiling in front of palm trees with water in the distance
Three people in white lab coats smiling in front of some palm trees with water in the distance
Colorful buildings along a street, blue and yellow and red ones.
Old buildings in Cuba with blue window frames and a grey exterior
A happy group of people inside a blue classic convertible car on the road
A long bridge over a valley with lots of trees surrounding it
People smiling inside a blue convertible with the top down
A side street with trees and balconies
A corner building that is blue and has columns on the first floor, with 5 red cars parked out front
A street with cars and people on the road, and lots of balconies.
A view of cuba from between large columns with people behind them

Clerkship Rotation for 4th Year COM / CHM or Graduate Nursing Students

OST 688: Global Health: Cuban Healthcare Delivery System (6 credits)

Dates:  To be defined.

The primary goal of this course is to introduce students to the health care delivery model in Cuba while experiencing the country’s rich culture. During the first week, students will explore the public health and community medicine model through on-site observation and the delivery of community health clinics, maternal health, pediatric and geriatric care. The second week will consist of students rotating through the departments of the three main teaching hospitals in Havana. There will be lectures and presentations by Cuban health care officials and clinicians and opportunities for students to closely observe and care for patients while learning about Cuban history and culture.

It is at the discretion of the Course Director to determine which students may participate. An interview may be required.

For more information, please contact igh@msu.edu.

The Office of Study Abroad offers scholarships to students who participate in MSU’s study abroad programs. Details here

A group of 3 smiling with light up shops in the distance
A sidestreet with cars parked along it
The marble front of the Hogar Materno Infantil building
A painting on a wall of a man with what looks like a tree trunk head, holding his hands in front of him.
  • 4th year COM or CHM medical student or graduate nursing student
  • Good academic standing for COM and a minimum 2.5 GPA for nursing students
  • Conversational Spanish Encouraged

William Cunningham DO, MHA currently serves as the Associate Dean for Global Health and the Director of the Institute for Global Health (IGH) at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. Dr. Cunningham was instrumental in the formation and approval of the Masters in Global Health and Certificate program that will matriculate students in January of 2020. In his current capacity of Associate Dean, he is responsible for advocating on the behalf of the four health care colleges at MSU for the education, research and cultural awareness of their graduate students. Additionally, IGH provides Study Abroad programs, such as the course in the Dominican Republic, for pre-professional students interested in the delivery of health care in a global context.

Rene C. Hinojosa, Ph.D, is a Professor Emeritus in the Urban and Regional Planning program, School of Planning Design and Construction, Adjunct professor of the department of Geography and the Institute for Global Health, Michigan State University. He was former Acting Director of Julian Samora Research Institute, former Chair of the Department of Geography, visiting professor at the Science University in Tokyo, Japan, Fullbright Scholar at the National University, Colombia and Private University of Bolivia. Previously he worked as a civil engineer and as a consultant in international development agencies. He has authored many articles and technical reports. He has organized several study abroad courses including programs in Japan, Mexico, Italy, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and served in numerous university, college and departmental committees. He holds a master’s degree in civil engineering and a PhD degree in planning from the University of Washington. He also serves as a research mentor for COM students.

Pre-Clerkship Elective Course for COM / CHM or Undergraduate Nursing Students

OST 688: Global Health: Cuban Healthcare System and Culture (3 credits)

Dates: December 09th to December 17th, 2023
The primary goal of this course is to introduce students to the health care delivery model in Cuba while experiencing the country’s rich culture. During the first week, students will explore the public health and community medicine model through on-site observation and the delivery of community health clinics, maternal health, pediatric and geriatric care. The second week will consist of students rotating through the departments of three main teaching hospitals in Havana. There will be lectures and presentations by Cuban health care officials and clinicians and opportunities for students to closely observe and care for patients while learning about Cuban history and culture.

It is at the discretion of the Course Director to determine which students may participate. An interview may be required.

For more information, please contact the Study Abroad Office of IGH.

The Office of Study Abroad offers scholarships to students who participate in MSU’s study abroad programs. Details here

  • 2nd year COM or CHM medical student or undergraduate nursing student or MS in Global Health students (COM) at Michigan State University.
  • Good academic standing for COM and a minimum 2.5 GPA for nursing students
  • Conversational Spanish Encouraged

*Please fill out both forms

William Cunningham DO, MHA currently serves as the Associate Dean for Global Health and the Director of the Institute for Global Health (IGH) at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. Dr. Cunningham was instrumental in the formation and approval of the Masters in Global Health and Certificate program that will matriculate students in January of 2020. In his current capacity of Associate Dean, he is responsible for advocating on the behalf of the four health care colleges at MSU for the education, research and cultural awareness of their graduate students. Additionally, IGH provides Study Abroad programs, such as the course in the Dominican Republic, for pre-professional students interested in the delivery of health care in a global context.

Rene C. Hinojosa, Ph.D, is a Professor Emeritus in the Urban and Regional Planning program, School of Planning Design and Construction, Adjunct professor of the department of Geography and the Institute for Global Health, Michigan State University. He was former Acting Director of Julian Samora Research Institute, former Chair of the Department of Geography, visiting professor at the Science University in Tokyo, Japan, Fullbright Scholar at the National University, Colombia and Private University of Bolivia. Previously he worked as a civil engineer and as a consultant in international development agencies. He has authored many articles and technical reports. He has organized several study abroad courses including programs in Japan, Mexico, Italy, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and served in numerous university, college and departmental committees. He holds a master’s degree in civil engineering and a PhD degree in planning from the University of Washington. He also serves as a research mentor for COM students.

Arpon Shahed, D.O., focuses on global health, community medicine, osteopathic outreach and medical education. During his medical training, he helped develop global health curriculums, research projects, project grants and served as faculty preceptor and lecturer for medical students/residents under MSU Institute for Global Health. Dr. Shahed gained residency experience by completing certificates in integrative medicine, faculty development and medical education, which allows him to currently be the program leader to this clinical offering in the Bateyes of the Dominican Republic and an instructor for the Costa Rica new program.