Tijuana, Mexico

Spring 2027

Description

RHA

The Global Health Program has formed an exciting collaboration with Refugee Health Alliance (RHA) in Tijuana, Mexico. RHA is an organization formed to address the medical, legal, and structural consequences of displacement on asylum seekers, deportees, and other vulnerable populations at the US-Mexico border. Today, RHA is the largest non-governmental provider of free healthcare for migrants in Tijuana and is recognized as a regional leader in migrant healthcare through its deeply rooted partnerships with local community organizations. The organization is supported by a small paid staff of Mexican nationals and refugees, along with volunteer healthcare providers from both Mexico and the United States.

DGSOM MS3 Xochitl Longstaff  and Dr. Leilani Gutierrez-palominos '24 share insights from their global health research in Tijuana, Mexico.

RHA operates two daily clinics, Justicia en Salud and Resistencia en Salud, and provides in-person and telehealth medical support to more than 30 migrant shelters throughout Tijuana. The organization delivers comprehensive, trauma-informed care, including mental health services, prenatal care, dentistry, acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, acute care referrals, gender-affirming healthcare, and legal support.

In the spring of 2027, students will have the opportunity to provide medical care alongside RHA colleagues, gaining a deep understanding of the psychosocial, legal, and structural challenges facing migrant communities while strengthening their own advocacy skills.

Mildred RHA
Fourth-year medical student Mildred Galvez (second from left) with the medical team at Refugee Health Alliance during her Global Health Clinical Elective in Tijuana, Mexico.

The rotation spans a diverse mix of clinical settings and specialties:

  • Resistencia en Salud Clinic: Participate in general pediatrics, adult medicine, specialty services, and dedicated LGBTQ+ healthcare (focused on Fridays).
  • Justicia en Salud Clinic: Focus on prenatal care, postnatal care, and midwifery.
  • Shelter Outreach: Participate in Saturday site visits to provide direct care at more than 30 migrant shelters throughout Tijuana.

During the rotation, students are likely to care for patients with infectious and communicable diseases (including COVID-19), as well as patients requiring chronic disease management, orthopedic care, women's health services, and psychiatric and trauma-informed mental healthcare.

Students will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team of independent providers, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, therapists, physicians, and other licensed clinicians from both Mexico and the United States. RHA also partners closely with several legal organizations to provide medico-legal support through referrals for humanitarian parole, medical documentation, and asylum evaluations. These formal evaluations are conducted during dedicated clinics and through remote video collaborations with partner clinics in Los Angeles.

The rotation in Tijuana, Mexico has been developed with formal goals and objectives. We seek students who are deeply interested in caring for and advocating on behalf of displaced populations, and who are passionate about global health, public health, and medico-legal support in resource-constrained settings.

  • Language Requirement: Students must be fluent in both spoken and written Spanish to participate in this elective.

Details

Funding and Housing

Students will receive up to $1,000 in additional financial support for the Refugee Health Alliance (RHA) clinical rotation. 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.

Students may choose to drive to Tijuana and purchase daily parking insurance while their vehicle is parked there, or travel by train or bus to avoid parking costs. During the three-week rotation, students will typically stay in local Airbnb accommodations.

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 will 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

The dates for this rotation 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 an April 12 start date will require departure from the U.S. no later than April 11, 2027.

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 prior to graduation.

Questions

For questions about this rotation, please contact Dr. Traci Wells at TWells@mednet.ucla.edu.