Spanish for Healthcare Professionals: Cultural Competence
LASP-40086
The course offers a vision of the effect of culture on health disparities, communication, belief system, educational strategies, language barriers, history of immigrants and influence in their approach towards medical treatments. It will help the students understand the broader meaning of the term "cultural competence" and recognize the importance of training and of acquiring skills in that area of study. Students will research and discuss interesting topics in regards to the subject.
Open to everyone! The course is offered in English and welcomes both healthcare professionals and anyone interested in learning more.
BRN Credit available.
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 1/21/2026
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/15/2026 | Thu | 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| 1/22/2026 | Thu | 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| 1/29/2026 | Thu | 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| 2/5/2026 | Thu | 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| 2/12/2026 | Thu | 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
Instructor:
Graciela Gomez Vittori, B.A.
Bachelor's degree in Spanish Literature and Linguistics with more than 20 years of teaching experience.
Graciela Gomez-Vitorri teaches teaches Spanish for Healthcare Professionals I, II, and III for the Spanish for Healthcare Professionals certificate program.
A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Graciela Gómez Vittori holds a Bachelor's degree in Spanish Literature and Linguistics (Profesorado de Castellano y Literatura) and has more than twenty years of teaching experience.
An avid reader and award-winning writer, Graciela both developed and taught the Literary Café at UC San Diego Extended Studies, where students get the pleasure to analyze great Hispanic-American short stories.
In the medical field, Graciela spent over two decades working in the UC San Diego Genetics Department. Being in contact with patients under sensitive and difficult circumstances, Graciela was impacted by the crucial need for basic communication between physicians and patients. Consequently, she completed the UC San Diego Extended Studies English/Spanish Translation and Interpretation certificate.
After her time translating for patients and doctors at UC San Diego, Graciela felt compelled to develop a course that focused primarily on medical terminology in Spanish. Other objectives of the course would include; building a solid grammar foundation, cultural competence, giving students information about the customs and traditions of the Hispanic patient, as well as medical concerns specific to the Hispanic community.
