Recently, we had the immense pleasure of seeing the phenomenal culmination of a recent project. A group of future public health leaders – Master’s students from the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health at UC Irvine (UCI) – presented their findings back in California from their Global Learning Experience with us in September. We want to take a moment to celebrate the immediate, fresh energy, empathy, and academic rigor they brought to San Miguel de Allende.

A Deeper Dive into Community Health –  The CRISMA Extension Program

The students’ work centered around a project titled: “Reaching Rural Communities: The CRISMA Extension Program.” This isn’t just a catchy name; it reflects a genuine effort to understand and strengthen the services we provide to our neighbors in rural areas.

The UCI team, under the leadership of Environmental and Occupational Health student Natalie Han and Global Concentration student Janeth Cabañas, focused on key areas that directly impact the health and well-being of the people we serve. They were here not just to observe, but to actively participate and learn from the ground up during their September visit.

Two Workshops, Two Pathways to Empowerment

A significant part of the project involved designing and evaluating two community workshops. This is where the academic learning turned into real-world impact:

• Workshop 1: Education on CRISMA and Needs Assessment
  This session was all about introducing the community to the full range of CRISMA services and, crucially, listening. Through community discussions, the students conducted a needs assessment to understand the most pressing issues, because we know the people we serve are the true experts on their own needs.
  

  

• Workshop 2: Physiotherapy Techniques
  Based on what we see every day, this workshop was designed to empower communities with knowledge about rehabilitative and ergonomic practices they can use in their daily lives.
  

  

This work echoes the powerful insights shared by our own team members, like Dr. Rodrigo Marcelo Chávez Espinola, General Physician, who emphasized the crucial ‘window of opportunity’ for seeking timely care to prevent complications. It’s about getting people the right information and support at the right time. Likewise, Armando Rodriguez, Lead Physiotherapist, reminded us, “It’s not just about correcting their form, it’s about having them understand why it’s important, and how to prevent injuries.”

Navigating Data to Drive Better Care

Public health is not just about the heart; it’s also about evidence. The UCI students dedicated their time to rigorous academic work, focusing on reviewing and analyzing CRISMA’s nutrition records to evaluate the data-driven impact of the Alovēa supplement program.

Their project involved a clear process:

1. Data Collection – Gathering and merging records.
2. Data Cleaning – Making sure the information is accurate and ready to use.
3. Data Visualization – Using tools like Tableau to make the data understandable.
4. Data Analysis – Using statistical software (like R/SAS) to assess effectiveness and evaluate nutritional status changes.

The students noted important data collection gaps, such as missing baseline data and challenges with certain measurement tools (like digital scales for infants). This feedback is incredibly valuable, providing us with a clear roadmap for improving how we measure progress and, in turn, how we serve our communities better. It is a genuine collaboration where we learn from each other.

The UCI-CRISMA Partnership – A Journey of Learning and Belonging

The energy from the recent presentation, held at the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, was inspiring. The students described their experience as “Where Culture Meets Public Health: A Journey of Learning and Belonging”- a testament to the welcoming spirit of the people of San Miguel and the staff at CRISMA.

Their work, and the address by Dean Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, Dr.PH, of the Joe C. Wen School of Population and Public Health, reaffirms that when academia and community hearts meet, truly remarkable things happen. We are so proud of the collaboration and the strong partnership built between our organizations.

 

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We are deeply grateful for the dedication of these students and the entire UCI team. This collaboration reminds us that by working together – sharing knowledge, showing kindness, and embracing the principle of evidence-based care – we can continue to reach more rural communities and empower families to live healthier, stronger lives.

Thank you, UCI, for sharing your time and your minds with us!

The post From UC Irvine to San Miguel – A Journey of Learning, Health, and Community Heart appeared first on CRISMA: Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center | Mexico.