CARDELL
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Deborah Cardell, M.D., was frustrated over her inability to speak with her predominantly Spanish-speaking patients. Her frustration grew when she saw residents she supervises at the University Health Center-Downtown (Brady Green Clinic) also struggling with language skills.

Dr. Cardell, clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine’s division of general medicine, was concerned about what health information might be lost in translation. She said, “Clearly, the best thing would be to speak with patients in their own language.” That’s what spurred her to apply for a Scholarship of Teaching Grant from the Health Science Center’s Academic Center for Excellence in Teaching (ACET).

The two-year, $3,600 grant funds an intensive one-week, 20-hour Spanish course for residents who will be working at the clinic. “This is a refresher and confidence-boosting course” for residents who have at least two years of high school Spanish, she said.

Students are taught by native Spanish-speaking instructors at the International Language Institute of San Antonio, part of the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, located near the main campus. “The students typically graduate in May and don’t start their residencies until July, so this helps them take advantage of this period of time before they start their busy residencies,” Dr. Cardell said.

Scholarship of Teaching Grants
Scholarship of Teaching Grants, awarded for $2,500 to $10,000, fund a variety of projects that help faculty members improve scholarly teaching. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and proposals are being accepted now through May 1. Awards will be presented on Sept. 17.

The ACET Advisory Committee reviews applications and selects projects to be funded. The committee is composed of faculty representatives from all Health Science Center schools and academic support units.
For additional information or to obtain a grant application, visit www.uthscsa.edu/acet/stg.asp, or contact David L. Henzi, Ed.D., educational development specialist, at henzi@uthscsa.edu or 210-567-2290.