Sites: León, Nicaraugua
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Location: León, Nicaragua Facility: Hospital Escuela Oscar Danilo Rosales Arguello (HEODRA) Teaching Hospital Academic Affiliation: The School of Medical Sciences at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, León (UNAN-León) (http://www.unanleon.edu.ni/facultades/medicina/index.html) Site Preceptor: Armando Matute, MD, PhD, Internist and Infectious Disease Specialist at UNAN-León |
Background: Duke University School of Medicine and UNAN-Leon School of Medical Sciences forged a research and education collaboration in the summer of 2007. The medical university at León has a history of previous international academic collaborations with other institutions (i.e. Umea University in Sweden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Yale University, and Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain), a solid population-based research infrastructure, and a demonstrated commitment to improving the rigor and research capability of its academic institution. |
Clinical Opportunities: HEODRA is a 400 bed public teaching hospital, operated by the Ministry of Health, and located in the heart of León. It is the only governmental facility in the region offering advanced obstetric and pediatric care. The hospital has established departments of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Plastic surgery, Pathology, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Anesthesiology. For those trainees interested in the study and treatment of infectious diseases, the León site provides exposure to illness uncommon in the United States. A level of Spanish language proficiency is required for applicants applying for a global health experience in León. After the devastation of Hurricane Felix, UNAN has been a leader in relief efforts, sending health care teams to the Sahsa area of RAAN (North Atlantic Autonomous Region). Duke trainees may join the relief teams which include students, residents and faculty from UNC in providing basic health care to the population of this isolated region. Residents and Medical Students are also encouraged to visit outlying health clinics. |
Research: A collaborative research project studying inpatient febrile illness at HEODRA University Hospital is underway. The study is being lead by investigators at Duke, UNAN-Leon and Johns Hopkins, with facilities for Duke resident and medical student participation. Other opportunities may be explored through the three main research centers affiliated with UNAN: The Center for Epidemiology and Health Research (CIDS), The Center for Investigation of Health, Work and Environment (CISTA), and Center for Infectious Disease (CEI). A full description of each Center may be found on the UNAN-Leon Research Website (http://www.unanleon.edu.ni/facultades/medicina/investigacion/cista.html) |