Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Global and Community Health Affairs Michael Relf, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, AACRN, CNE, FAAN, will lead a group to Cuba to learn about the role of Cuban nurses in health care delivery, and you’re invited.
“As the School of Nursing implements its new strategic plan and looks at how we are engaged with issues surrounding global health, it was important that we also look at how we can improve health outcomes around the world by increasing our understanding of how systems and cultures impact those outcomes,” Relf said. “Part of this is effort is aligning our global work to strategically optimize bi-directional research, education and service. In other words, we’re taking DUSON to the world and bringing the world to DUSON.”
Working with the Cuban Society of Nursing and global travel experts Academic Travel Abroad, trip participants will spend six days and five nights, from March 27 to April 1, exploring the Cuban health care system and the role of nurses in Cuba.
The tour offers two itineraries. The first is for nurses and nursing faculty. Participants will meet with the Cuban Nursing Society and representatives of the North American Division of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the People and attend a discussion about post-graduate curriculum designed for nurses in Cuba at the National School of Public Health.
They will also attend a panel presentation overview of the Cuban health care system focusing on 1959 to the present. The trip also includes tours of the Havana Higher Institute of Medical Sciences, a community-based polyclinic and a family doctor/nurse clinic where nurse executives, staff nurses and supervisors will discuss the role of nurses in Cuba. The trip includes a visit to a psychiatric center to learn about mental health in Cuba and Hogar Materno Infantil, a maternity clinic, to learn about the role of nursing in maternity care.
The second itinerary is for guests and/or spouses or partners of nurses and nursing faculty. Participants will take in the panoramic views of Havana, taste the local cuisine, enjoy guided walking tours of Old Havana and attend a cabaret show at a local social club. This option also includes viewing colonial architecture and visiting historical squares, meeting with local artists at a graphic workshop to discuss their work and influences, touring Ernest Hemingway’s home and 12-acre property and exploring some of Cuba's historic neighborhoods.
“This trip is a way for us to engage on many levels with other nursing professionals, alumni and friends of nursing in guided global learning experiences,” said Relf. “We are committed to developing unique, life-long learning and professional development opportunities, and this trip does this in a very exciting way.”
The cost of the trip is $4,895 (double occupancy) and includes transportation between the United States and Cuba, hotel accommodations, five breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners and other associated costs. Expenses associated with this trip may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense.
The tour manager and local guides will remain with those who choose to extend their visit for four more days and three nights for an additional cost.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with participants through this unique and innovative program,” Relf said. “International travel opportunities such as this allow us to help shape global nursing and better understand global health problems through capacity building and partnerships.”
For more information about the Explore Cuba trip, contact Kristen Sotzing at 202-349-7323 or 800-556-7896, ext. 7323.