Creighton News
Arrupe scholar embarks upon second immersion trip to Ecuador
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Caleb Armendariz finished his second year at Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix this May. Much like many of his peers at Creighton, the Jesuit value of cura personalis inspired Armendariz to pursue a career in healthcare; however, his journey as a medical student involves a truly formative experience: the Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program. This five-year MD and MPH program molds Creighton students like Armendariz into globally minded future healthcare leaders.
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Armendariz grew up in San Diego, California. His younger brother was born with a seizure disorder, which required extensive amounts of time in the hospital. Armendariz recalls the kindness and consideration with which the healthcare professionals cared for his brother and family, sparking his fascination with the healthcare system. After attending Cal Poly for his undergraduate degree, Armendariz enrolled in a series of public health courses. He learned about inequities in healthcare and social determinants of health, leading to his decision to apply to MD and MPH programs. When he heard about the Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program, he applied to Creighton University School of Medicine.
“I learned about good versus bad global health programs in my public health classes. A good global health program focuses on humbly collaborating with international partners. This is why the Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program stood out to me: its mission is to promote partnerships,” says Armendariz.
The experience provides students with a unique perspective on patient care.
— Caleb Armendariz, student at Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix
Executive director Jason Beste, MD, MPH, along with a team of faculty and administrators, launched the Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program in 2022. During the five-year program, students participate in a global health equity orientation in the Dominican Republic before their four immersion trips to one of Creighton's international partner sites: University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador in Ecuador, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic or Kathmandu University in Nepal. Arrupe scholars closely collaborate with Arrupe program faculty and international partner faculty to identify and implement global health projects.
“The Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program vision is to contribute to the eradication of health injustice by promoting partnerships, programs and projects that seek equitable access to quality healthcare for all, especially communities who are marginalized,” says Beste.
Armendariz traveled to Quito, Ecuador, for his first immersion trip. After Spanish classes each morning, he and his fellow Arrupe scholars met with international partner faculty, toured hospital facilities and attended lectures on Ecuador’s health system. The purpose of the first immersion trip is to learn about the community’s needs.
“We learned about ‘ministry of presence,’ or bringing your whole self into a community and listening to its members. The partners set the agenda, and we seek to understand their perspective,” says Armendariz.
The Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program is just as much of a formation program as it is as an academic program. Our scholars discover their ‘magis’ and learn how to become agents of change.
— Jason Beste, MD, MPH, Executive Director, Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program
During his second immersion trip to Quito this summer, Armendariz will begin forming a research project based on community needs and working with an advisor on his capstone project. Once Armendariz finishes his MPH capstone project, he will go on to complete the Doctor of Medicine program.
Armendariz anticipates the impact that the program will have on him as a future physician.
“The experience provides students with a unique perspective on patient care. I have a better understanding of the social determinants that might affect patient behavior, and I’m equipped with tools to fight inequity and injustice in the healthcare system,” says Armendariz.
The Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program promotes collaboration with international health communities, research, education and global equity while shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Beste speaks to this outcome.
“The Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program is just as much of a formation program as it is as an academic program. Our scholars discover their ‘magis’ and learn how to become agents of change,” says Beste.