Quito, Ecuador

Spring 2027

Description 

Description 

Ecuador has a robust publicly funded health system and national health insurance. Free medical care, including access to public hospitals and regional health clinics, is available to all regardless of income, and without requiring medical insurance. Isolated rural areas are also served by this system, as physicians, dentists, and nurses are required to perform one year of "rural service" to be eligible for licensing.

The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) has partnered with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) in Quito, Ecuador, a private university with an excellent medical school and global health program. In addition to its affiliations with public teaching hospitals in the center of Quito, USFQ has a strong focus on community engagement. As a result, DGSOM students have the opportunity, if desired, to rotate in community clinics that contribute to the improvement of healthcare access and outcomes across Quito.

Students can experience medicine in urban public hospital settings in Quito and/or in more rural community-based inpatient and outpatient settings, as follows:

In Quito:

Students will work under the supervision of experienced physician “tutors” and alongside local medical students and residents at the following public hospitals:

• Hospital Eugenio Espejo: A level one urban safety-net and major teaching hospital with most all specialties and subspecialties represented, except for Pediatrics and Ob/Gyn.
• Hospital Pédiatrico Baco Ortiz: A level one urban safety-net children’s hospital and referral center for patients through age 14 years; one of only two children’s hospitals in the country.

Just outside of Quito (commutable from the city):

Students will work under the supervision of physician “tutors” and alongside local medical students at these community-based sites:

• Hospital Básico Alberto Correa Cornejo – Yaruquí, a rural level two referral hospital with 36 beds for Internal Medicine, Pediatric, Surgery and Ob/Gyn patients.
• Puembo Community Health Center, which provides primary care to population of 19,000 residents and includes community outreach and research activities.
• El Quinche Community Health Center, which provides primary care to population of 22,000 residents and includes community outreach and research activities.

These clinical rotations aim to promote health equity and foster cross-cultural understanding through collaborative learning and hands-on experiences. Medical students will immerse themselves in the Ecuadorian healthcare system, gain exposure to diverse patient populations, and contribute to improving health while by providing quality public healthcare.

The rotation in Quito has been developed with formal goals and objectives. We are seeking students with an interest in caring for populations with limited access to care, and those with enthusiasm for global health and learning about a unique public health system. Students will be expected to demonstrate the highest level of maturity, professionalism, and cultural humility. Students must be proficient in both spoken and written Spanish to participate in this elective.

Details

Funding and Housing

Students will receive roundtrip airfare and an additional $1,000 in financial support for the Quito clinical rotation. The host institution will provide housing recommendations. These funds are intended to help offset expenses such as housing, local transportation, and other travel-related costs. Students should anticipate contributing personal funds, as the total cost of the rotation may exceed the financial support provided by the Global Health Program.

Application and Orientation

Applications for this elective are due Monday, September 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Interviews for this elective will primarily be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Limited interview appointments may also be available on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Students selected for this rotation must attend a mandatory, full-day pre-departure orientation in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

Rotation Dates and Post-Rotation Requirements

Rotation dates for this elective have been confirmed. Students applying to this three-week elective must be able to commit to the rotation from April 12 through April 30, 2027. Please note that international travel will require departing Los Angeles approximately two days before the official start of the rotation to allow sufficient time for travel and arrival in Quito.

Following the rotation, students will be expected to complete written evaluations, participate in a mandatory full-group debrief on Thursday, June 3, 2027, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., and attend a site-specific debrief, which will be scheduled following their return and prior to graduation.

Questions

Questions regarding this rotation should be directed to Dr. Traci Wells at TWells@mednet.ucla.edu.