Volunteer Medicine

What is the Family Medicine Exchange Program?
The Family Medicine Exchange Program to Mexico was started in 1999 by James Luke Olson, MD Chair of the Volunteer Medicine Committee. The Family Medicine Exchange Program provides an opportunity for Washington State family physicians and third-year residents to practice volunteer medicine in areas of need; teach Family Medicine in Mexican residencies; improve their Spanish; and experience the rich history, music, and food of a fascinating region of Mexico.

Mission Statement
The Exchange Program enhances the quality of Family Medicine through a cross-cultural experience. The program is intended to:

Augment the teaching content and methods of Family Medicine instructors
Add to the educational experience of Family Medicine residents
Offer a cross-cultural experience for community physicians
Expand participant’s knowledge about systems of medical care and a range of medical diseases and disorders found in the State of Veracruz, Mexico versus the U.S.

Our Washington Family Medicine residents will interact with their fellow Mexican Family Medicine residents in Xalapa and Veracruz. They will practice medicine in an area of great need with a system that is not as luxuriously supplied as ours. Many lifelong friendships have been made through this program. It is hoped that someday some of the residents may become involved in mutual cross-cultural studies together.

Application Process: Up to four participants can be accepted each year (at a rate of one every three months). Requests for more information and application materials should be sent directly to Dr. Luke Olson, 6645 57th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115.

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