Bridging Disciplines Across Borders: Innovations in Interprofessional Global Health Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/h21dh457

Keywords:

collaboration, interprofessional education, dual degree

Abstract

An innovative dual degree program in medicine and public health bridges STEM and interprofessional education across borders. Through U.S.–Mexico collaboration, students develop global health, interprofessional, and cultural competence skills. This model advances integrated health education, preparing physicians to address complex health challenges with systems-thinking and equity-driven approaches.

Author Biographies

  • Gabriela Valdez, The University of Arizona

    GABRIELA VALDEZ, PhD, is the Director of Global Education for the Global Health Institute, Director of Global Health Programs and Assistant Professor of Practice at the Health Promotion Sciences Department at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. Dr. Valdez has had the opportunity to work in the field of international education for over 20 years teaching, creating, implementing, and overseeing international programs in over 20 countries around the world. She received a Ph.D. in International Education & Global Perspectives from the University of Arizona. Dr. Valdez' research interest focuses on comparative studies, intercultural communication, global health, border health, internationalization and contextualization of the curriculum, international students' experiences, international collaboration, and program evaluation

  • Iman Hakim, University of Arizona

    IMAN HAKIM, MBBCh, PhD, MPH is a professor of public health and the Dean of the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH). Dr. Hakim is the Mel & Enid Zuckerman Endowed Chair in Public Health and the founding director of the Global Health Institute. She is internationally known for her translational research and work on the role of bioactive food compounds, such as green tea and limonene in modulation of oxidative damage and prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Her research focuses on health promotion, dietary interventions, and the role of gene-environment and gene-nutrition interactions in chronic disease prevention. 

  • Mary Anne Colin Gascon, Universidad del Valle de Mexico

    MARY ANNE COLIN GASCON, MA, Institutional Director of Internationalization at Universidad Tecnológica de México (UNITEC) and Universidad del Valle de México (UVM) holds a Master’s Degree in Culture and Values in Education from McGill University, Montreal. Prior to working at Laureate, Ms. Colin worked at CONAHCYT the Ministry of Science and Technology in Mexico, at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), US Embassy in Mexico City, Institute of International Education and Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE). With more than 20 of experience in international education, Mrs. Colin great passion is to design and execute international academic programs as she has experienced the impact when you have access to academic international experiences. 

References

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Published

2025-11-28

Issue

2026: Online First : American Journal of STEM Education

Section

STEM & Internationalization

How to Cite

Valdez, G., Hakim, I., & Colin Gascon, M. A. (2025). Bridging Disciplines Across Borders: Innovations in Interprofessional Global Health Education. American Journal of STEM Education. https://doi.org/10.32674/h21dh457