As part of the collaborative agreement, "INSP-RSPH Compañeros Exchange Program", between the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (INSP, in Spanish) and the University of Emory a student-exchange program was held this March 9-14. Accompanied by professor Dr. Carlos Franco Paredes, the Emory students participated in 16 academic sessions conducted by expert researchers of the INSP, as well as by guest speakers. The main topics were: reproductive health, Mexican Health System, Vector Borne Diseases, Epidemiological Situation of Mexico, the model of community practice and the Terminal Professional Project of the INSP’s MPH degree.

Students from the Rollins School of Public Health presented their projects to the INSP’s Masters in Public Health faculty, with the intention of showing the work they are developing in each concentration area, as well seizing the opportunity to enrich their content by undergoing faculty discussions.

During their visit, they toured the INSP’s facilities and went to Mexico City to the National Center of Epidemiological Alertness and Control of Diseases (Centro Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica y Control de Enfermedades or CENAVECE) and also visited the community of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, to familiarize themselves with the field work students enrolled in the INSP’s Master’s in Public Health program.

At the epidemiology office, they were led on a guided tour in which they heard about the functions and the information system of this office, as well as disaster-response plans. On Friday, March 13, they went to the community of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, where they attended a community assembly in the Health Center featuring the local Health Promoter and residents. Additionally, they participated in field work for health diagnosis of Dengue fever with INSP’s Master of Public Health students. They also participated in home-to-home surveys.

During the week, the visiting students were accompanied by the organizing team (the INSP’ students who went to Atlanta last fall, the INSP’ Student Exchange Coordinator and the Academic Secretariat’ staff), to address any questions or concerns.

In this manner, the INSP fortifies its collaboration commitment with national and international institutions. INSP would like to thank all the centers, researchers, students and the staff of the Academic Secretariat, involved in this exchange program.

(Pictured above are Emory Rollins students during their visit to INSP: (back) Ms. Lilian Pérez, Ms. Jessica Herrera, Ms. Kelly Alexander and Mr. Benjamin Dickey; (middle) Ms. Callen Simon, Ms. Kellie Corcoran, Ms. Raven Carter and Dr. Carlos Franco; (front) Ms. Lori Northcraft and Ms. Evelia Kory)