Miscommunication in health care can have serious consequences. At the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), a medical Spanish certificate program is designed to prevent that.
The Certificate in Medical Spanish trains students and working health care providers to communicate more clearly with Spanish-speaking patients—a skill faculty and clinicians say directly impacts care.
“Sometimes one misunderstood word can make all the difference,” said Associate Professor Marisa Fernandez Martinez, who developed the program. “Not being able to understand a word, the name of a medication, or a symptom, it can literally be the difference between life and death.”
Denver Scholarship Foundation celebrated its 2025 Annual Homecoming Gala, on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. The event honored and celebrated the economic impact and accomplishments of Denver Public Schools high school students, DSF scholars and alumni.
At the homecoming gala, the Denver community and DSF supporters experienced stories of impact through the lens of DPS graduates in college and their careers. Guests had the opportunity to connect with the DSF community, learn more about DSF’s nationally recognized programs and be greatly inspired by past and current students.
