UNMC College of Pharmacy’s Spanish Track Provides ‘Innovative Opportunity’ Thanks to Donor Support

By Noah Johnson

Jessica Downes, PharmD, knows the importance of conversation.

That’s why she helped launch a Spanish-language learning track for students in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Pharmacy in 2023. The enrichment opportunity provides students with a virtual learning program, contact hours with Spanish speakers in the Omaha community and rotations at healthcare centers that provide care for Spanish-speaking patients throughout the state.

Downes, a clinical associate professor in UNMC’s Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, first saw the impact language can have on patient care in her work as a clinical pharmacist at OneWorld Community Health Center.

The federally qualified health center serves a large Spanish-speaking population in South Omaha. Downes said nearly three-fourths of her patients there speak Spanish.

When she first arrived at the center, Downes relied on interpreters to communicate with patients. She believes building rapport is a critical part of healthcare, and for her, the best way to do that was by speaking directly with patients in their own language.

Determined to learn the language herself, Downes took advantage of a collaboration between her clinic and University of Anáhuac in Mexico. Through that partnership, she completed more than 90 hours of virtual language learning and immersion.

The partnership has since expanded to provide similar opportunities for College of Pharmacy students. Since the track launched in 2023, seven students have either completed the program or are currently enrolled.

After completing a three-week virtual immersion program during the summer months after their first and second years of the professional program, students spend the next 2-3 academic years participating in experiential learning opportunities and working directly with Spanish-speaking communities.

Before the program launched, Downes noticed that many students had some background in Spanish but lacked opportunities to continue developing their skills because of the rigorous demands of pharmacy school.

The track requires significant commitment from students who already are balancing the demands of pharmacy school. That’s why donor support through the College of Pharmacy Innovation Fund plays such an important role in the program’s success.

The fund helps provide partial or full tuition support for the virtual immersion program. It’s an expense that otherwise would fall on students.

“They have about eight weeks of summer, and they’re spending half of it in this immersion program,” Downes said. “That might take away from an opportunity to work a job where they could earn money to help cover expenses during the year. It’s a huge investment of their time, and they are making that commitment to this program and to their future patients.”

Downes said she is excited to see the program continue to grow and attract future students. She added that the Spanish track would not be possible without donor support.

“This Spanish track is an innovative opportunity for our college that not a lot of other places have, so it really is making an impact on our students,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the willingness of our donors to support new and innovative programs that are truly making a difference in the communities we serve.”