Fulbright Award Expands Humanistic Healthcare Education Globally

Posted July 17, 2025August 19, 2025 in Announcements, Faculty, News, Spanish for Health Professions

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A Rutgers–Camden curriculum rooted in language, story, and cultural understanding is gaining international reach. Dr. Ana Laguna, Graduate Program Director for the new Spanish for Health Professions Certificate, has been selected for a prestigious Fulbright award through the Fulbright Finland Foundation in partnership with the University of Oulu. The award recognizes her contributions to healthcare education and supports a collaborative effort to adapt her curriculum to a Finnish context—one known for leadership in both education and health innovation.

Thanks to the support of the Fulbright Finland Foundation and the University of Oulu, I’ll be bringing the curriculum I created at Rutgers–Camden to a country internationally recognized for its visionary approach to education and health. Together, we’ll be exploring how story, dignity, and cultural insight can shape more just and compassionate care.”
Ana Laguna

The Fulbright reflects both academic achievement and a shared vision of healthcare shaped by empathy, equity, and cross-cultural understanding. By bringing this work into an international dialogue, Laguna’s project advances Rutgers–Camden’s commitment to research, public service, and global engagement—while building a model of education that connects across borders.

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Bridge the Gap: Spanish for Health Professions Certificate for Equitable Care

The fully online Graduate Certificate in Spanish for Health Professions is designed for healthcare providers, public health professionals, and medical students seeking to improve communication and cultural fluency with Spanish-speaking patients. With over 37 million native Spanish speakers in the U.S., the program meets a growing demand for inclusive, culturally responsive care. This 12-credit certificate offers flexible, asynchronous coursework grounded in real-world health interactions, and includes the option to pursue Medical Community Interpreter certification. Recognized with awards from AACN, the Fulbright Foundation, and Rutgers University, the program equips professionals to deliver more equitable care, enhance patient trust, and expand their impact across clinical and community health settings.