Ongoing Projects and Partnerships
The College has developed educational and research partnerships with a school of nursing in Poland and with a school of nursing in Mexico. These opportunities will allow faculty members and students from these institutions to gain unique and valuable cultural and academic experiences.
Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
The UF College of Nursing has a formal cooperative agreements with the Medical University of Gdansk (MUG). There have been several faculty and administrator exchanges between the universities.
In Spring 2006, senior students and faculty members from UF participated in the College's first international practicum in Gdansk, Poland. Students Rani Ridenour, Laura Chime Swetland, Sara Wilson and Lori Yontz, as well as faculty members Joan Castleman and Veronica Feeg visited the Medical University of Gdansk in March and April. They collaborated with nursing students, faculty members and practicing nurses in Poland. In addition, those involved were able to share perspectives on nursing education in the U.S. and Poland.
Most recently, four faculty members from MUG visited the UF College of Nursing in May 2007. These included Roman Kaliszan, D.Sc., PhD, Rector of MUG, Janusz Morys, MD, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Piotr Lass, MD, PhD, Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences and Aleksandra Gaworska-Krzeminska, N.Med, PhD, Head of the Department of Nursing. These individuals were honored guests at the College’s Commencement ceremony and they toured many areas of UF and met with faculty from across the Health Science Center. Rector Kaliszan gave a presentation about health care education in Poland.
In March 2008, a faculty member and some students from MUG will be visiting the College of Nursing.
Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Mexico
The College is in the early stages of relationship development with the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan (UADY). Drs. Carmen Rodriguez and Sharleen Simpson recently visited the Yucatan with three senior BSN students, Ashley Raum, Teneisha Williams and Alexandra Girault. They explored the area and cultures of the area, and nursing education in Mexico, learned about health care and nursing education in Mexico.
In March of 2008, seven students will be going down to Merida, Yucatan during Spring Break. They will be working with students and faculty from UADY and also with medical and pharmacy students from UF. Drs. Rodriguez and Simpson will also be exploring further possibilities for collaboration with research and student exchanges.
The College of Nursing is currently working with the UF Health Science Center Global Health Committee on the development of interdisciplinary experiences for health professions students from the Yucatan and UF.
For more information about UADY and their nursing program, please access the presentation put together by the College International Affairs Committee.
Students who are interested in traveling on exchange trips to either Gdansk, Poland or the Yucatan should contact Dr. Sharleen Simpson
Other activities
Through the College's International Affairs Committee, additional partnerships are being explored with the University of Costa Rica and an academic partner in Seoul, Korea.