VCOM View Vol 11 No 1

INTERNATIONAL Outreach Providing VCOM’s COVID-19 Educational Modules in Spanish

I n order to educate students, faculty and staff on COVID-19 and the vaccine and counter disinformation about the pandemic and the vaccines on social media, Matthew Cannon, DO, FACOFP, VCOM-Carolinas’ dean and Jeff Cashman, DO, associate dean for osteopathic medical student (OMS) 4th year and graduate medical education, created two COVID education modules with evidence-based data. As a leader in public health, and to assist VCOM’s international partners, these modules have recently been made available in the Spanish language to clinic staff in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Honduras. The modules are also available to partner schools of medicine in each country. This includes INTEC in the Dominican Republic, UNITEC in Honduras and UEES in El Salvador. As a result, VCOM is advancing the knowledge of practicing physicians and affiliated clinic staff along with medical education of future physicians.

Dolores Muro, VCOM-Carolinas’ director for international programs, collaborated with Dr. Xiomara Erazo, director of the VCOM- affiliated Baxter Clinic in Honduras on the Spanish translation. Ms. Muro created the initial translation for Dr. Erazo to review. Dr. Erazo provided voice over to ensure accuracy of medical terminology and adaptation to Spanish-speaking medical professionals and students. Throughout the pandemic, VCOM has provided biweekly video conference meetings to provide clinic leaders across the three countries with the opportunity to share updates, strategies and information to address needs. The conversion of COVID-19 educational modules to Spanish is the latest in VCOM’s series of education, research and outreach to work collaboratively across its partner clinics and international schools of medicine. ■

Matthew Cannon, DO, FACOFP

Jeff Cashman, DO

Dolores Muro

Dr. Xiomara Erazo

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