(From left) Bridgette Love, MD, and Erik Scott, MD
Central Virginia has a large population of native Spanish speakers who do not have a strong knowledge of the English language. In the past year alone, UVA Health had more than 55 patients a month who needed surgery in either an elective, urgent, or emergent manner who required a Spanish language interpreter to properly receive care. However, the Departments of Anesthesiology and Surgery combined have fewer than five faculty who are fluent in the Spanish language.
We aim to improve care and diminish health disparities in the peri-operative space for the Central Virginia Hispanic population through operating room physician education. Bridgette Love, MD, a resident in Anesthesia, and Erik Scott, MD, a resident in Thoracic Surgery, have been awarded a $15,000 ACGME Back to Bedside grant to provide functional fluency in Spanish to residents and fellows in the peri-operative space.
Filed Under: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion