Medical Mission in Guatemala (Refuge International)
Every February a medical mission is organized by Refuge International in San Raymundo, Guatemala, where more than 50 volunteers from around the U.S. provide medical care in this clinic. Viterbo University collaborates with Refuge International to offer a hands-on practicum experience for graduate and undergraduate nursing students, as well as for two students in the community interpreting certificate program. The Viterbo community interpreting certificate program provides a scholarship to help the students in the program with the cost of this experience.
Students who have attended:
- Megan Baumgartner, 2017
- Ariane Lydon, 2017
- Kris Ward, 2015
- Carla San Raymundo, 2013
- Carla Townsend, 2012
- Gregg Attleson, 2011
- Ismelda Reyes, 2010
Contact:
Rebecca Liebert
Assistant Professor
608-796-3672
NRC 417
raliebert@viterbo.edu
Nicaragua and Global Partners
Viterbo University also participates with the Global Partners medical brigade in Nicaragua. Social workers, medical teams, educators and students from Viterbo have been working with this project since 2011 to work on various community projects in the Matagalpa region. Pediatrician at Gundersen Health System and graduate of the Community Interpreting Certificate, Dr. Richard Strauss attended this project in 2015.
Students who have attended:
- Richard Strauss, 2015
Contact:
Marlene De La Cruz-Guzmán
Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
mdelacruzguzman@viterbo.edu
608-796-3403
Internship at Mayo Health System
Since 2012, seven students in the interpreting program have had the opportunity to benefit from the partnership between the Community Interpreting Certificate and Mayo Health System in La Crosse. These students will be able to complete their internships by observing and working with medical interpreters. This internship is a result of efforts made by two graduates of the certificate, Jennifer Carr and Ismelda Reyes.
Contact:
Jennifer Carr
Language Services, Mayo Health System
608-392-7912, ext. 27912
Sparta and Other Area School Districts
Students in the interpreting program have served as interpreters in teacher/parent conferences in the area school districts.
Contact:
Michelle Pinzl
Assistant Professor, Coordinator, Community Interpreting Certificate
mmpinzl@viterbo.edu
St. Clare Mission in Sparta and La Crosse
All local students in the interpreting certificate are required to observe interpreting and often carry out internship hours at these two mission sites in our community.
Call with questions:
St Clare Mission in La Crosse: 608-392-9544
St. Clare Mission in Sparta: 608)-69-1770