Spring 2025
School of Nursing faculty Dr. Stephanie Gingerich and Dr. Angelica Walton welcome you to join a study abroad course to Cuba from March 8th-16th, 2025 (Spring Break).
Course Description
This 1 credit elective course will focus on population health and interprofessional practice at the community level. Students will observe all three levels of the highly effective Cuban health care system including neighborhood primary care clinics, local multi-specialty clinics, and acute care hospitals. Cuba's system is grounded in preventative lifestyle practices, primary care, health promotion and disease prevention. We will have an opportunity to see and engage with maternal homes for women with high-risk pregnancies, community centers, and other creative programs specifically designed to address social determinants of health. We will be observing and learning from Cuban providers, but we will not provide nursing care ourselves. The host for our experience is MEDICC. MEDICC promotes US-Cuba health collaboration and highlights Cuba’s public health approaches to inform the quest for health equity and universal health worldwide.
In preparing for this immersion experience, students will attend a virtual orientation, complete travel documents, readings, and one short assignment to prepare for the cross cultural experience. Upon return, students will complete a reflective paper and meet virtually to engage in a closing debrief.
Estimated cost per student
ESTIMATED cost per student is $3500-4000. UMN SON tuition and student study abroad fees are not included in the estimated cost. This is a rough estimate of the cost and will be finalized closer to departure. The package price includes all lodging, airfare to Havana, transportation in Cuba, meals, and tours. You will be responsible for R/T airfare to Miami and one night hotel in Miami.
School of Nursing Faculty
For more information, or to have your name on the list, please contact School of Nursing Faculty:
Angelica Walton, DNP, RN, CCRN
Clinical Assistant Professor
Stephanie Gingerich DNP, RN-BC, CPN
Clinical Assistant Professor, Coordinator of the Health Care Innovation and Design Certificate
Student Eligibility
You must be a current University of Minnesota School of Nursing DNP, PhD, or MN student in good standing and have a US passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel. Please consider that there can be quite a bit of walking over rough terrain and only stairs (no elevator) in certain locations.
Application Process
Please complete the application (page 3) and submit it to both emails: ginge018@umn.edu and wils2316@umn.edu by September 15th so there is adequate time to process the restrictive visa that is required for Americans traveling to Cuba. DNP in Health Innovation and Leadership and Post-Masters DNP students receive priority consideration as the focus of this course is on health care innovation and leadership. After September 15th, if openings remain, Other DNP specialties and MN students can apply.
Please email Dr. Stephanie Gingerich or Dr. Angelica Walton for more information or further questions.