Nine University of Miami undergraduate students recently completed an immersive international learning experience through the BPH 487 Global Health Practicum, a course created by the School of Nursing and Health Studies.
Led by nursing faculty member Dr. Beatriz Valdés, the University’s 2026 Outstanding Educator, the group traveled to Madrid, Spain, from May 16–25, 2026, and to Bucharest, Romania, from May 25–30, 2026. The program provided students with firsthand exposure to diverse health care systems, innovative health technologies, and global approaches to public health and healthcare delivery.
Dr. Johis Ortega, Associate Dean for Hemispheric and Global Initiatives, joined the group on May 20 and participated in academic and institutional meetings throughout the remainder of the program.
During their stay in Madrid, students were hosted by Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), where they explored the Spanish health care system, attended courses on innovation and health technology, toured advanced educational facilities and fabrication (“Fab”) Labs, visited surgical and anatomy learning centers, and participated in a guided visit to Hospital Quirón Salud Pozuelo. The experience also included cultural immersion activities, including a visit to the historic Spanish cities of Segovia and Toledo.
The second portion of the practicum took place in Romania, where students engaged with health professionals, faculty, and administrators from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” (UMFCD) in Bucharest. Activities included visits to hospitals and nursing schools in Bucharest and Pitesti, discussions about the Romanian health care system and current health care challenges, and opportunities to compare health care delivery models across countries.
The visit marked Dr. Ortega’s first official visit to Romania and represented an important milestone in the school’s efforts to expand international partnerships in Eastern Europe. During the visit, Dr. Ortega met with senior university leadership, including Rector Prof. Dr. Viorel Jinga, Vice Rector for Internationalization Prof. Dr. Bogdan Popescu, Vice Rector for Digitalization Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stefan Busnatu, and Vice Dean Dr. Andreea Zamfirescu, to explore opportunities for future collaboration between the institutions.
Discussions focused on establishing a formal institutional agreement that would support faculty and student exchanges, collaborative research initiatives, simulation-based education projects, digital health innovation, and future academic partnerships.
Leaders from both institutions expressed enthusiasm for developing a long-term relationship that would benefit students, faculty, and health care systems in both countries. “This experience provided our students with a unique opportunity to learn directly from international health care professionals while gaining a broader understanding of global health systems and cultural perspectives on healthcare,” said Dr. Ortega. “We are equally excited about the potential collaborations emerging from our conversations in Romania, which may create new opportunities for education, research, and innovation for years to come.”
The Global Health Practicum reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to preparing future health professionals to work effectively in an increasingly interconnected world. Through international experiences like these, students develop cultural competence, global awareness, and professional skills to address complex health challenges across diverse populations.
“The School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami extends its sincere appreciation to Universidad Francisco de Vitoria and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy ‘Carol Davila’ for their hospitality and partnership in making this transformative educational experience possible,” said Dr. Ortega.
