Westhill´s School of Medicine International Program is a 4-year medical education program, followed by a supervised internship and a social service practicum (servicio social).

It is designed for the understanding of scientific concepts underlying medicine.

 

The content of the curriculum is constantly updated to respond to new scientific and technological breakthroughs, and follows the most recent trends of disease prevalence dictated by public health epidemiology.

The first two years (four semesters) are in ENGLISH, followed by two years of clinical (Hospital) rotations in which interaction with patients is in Spanish, thus the importance of our Spanish language course.

Students are required by the AMA (American Medical Association) to complete a 6-year program. This includes a 4-year medical education program, followed by a supervised internship in a Mexican or U.S. Hospital and a final year of social service as required by Mexican Medical Authorities.

 

First and Second Years (Basic Science Principles)

During the first 24 months of medical education, our students must complete the interdisciplinary block courses of Basic Science Principles which emphasize problem-based learning by integrating basic and clinical sciences.  Introduction to clinical skills and patient-doctor relationship are addressed from the beginning of the first year of school.  Bioethics and human behavioral sciences are also included in the curriculum. In addition, as part of academic life, students will participate actively in laboratory work, anatomical dissection, and surgery, as well as interact in conferences, lectures and tutorials.

The pre-clinical program begins in August.  The first year courses are grouped into seven blocks of Basic Science Principles which include: Gross Anatomy, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cell & Tissue Biology, Genetics, Embryology & Reproduction, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences (including human sexuality & development, and psycho-pharmacology), Public Health, and Bioethics. Following a one month summer break, the second year courses are grouped into six blocks of Basic Science Principles that include: Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Immunology, Introduction to the Surgical Technique, and Public Health II.

First and second year courses are in ENGLISH. There is however a Spanish language course that all medical students must attend prior to 3rd year entry.

By the end of the 4th semester (second year), students are required to apply and take the USMLE step 1.

 

Third and Fourth Years (Clinical Sciences)

After completion of our pre-clinical program, students engage in core clinical activities which include both inpatient (hospital) and outpatient (ambulatory) experiences. Courses are conducted in affiliated hospitals and institutions and place special emphasis on direct patient care.  Students will develop clinical skills such as initial evaluation of their patients by taking a history and performing a physical examination.  Patient cases are discussed widely with the attending physician, residents, and interns.

The strength of educational programs at clinical clerkships depends on the extent of the clinical facilities and the quality of the faculty in clinical departments.  More than 4,000 beds are part of the teaching facilities, and our entire faculty in teaching hospitals has postgraduate training.  Teaching Hospitals include the I.M.S.S (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social), the country´s largest health maintenance organization, the I.S.S.S.T.E (Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado), private hospitals and others.

Our clinical program is divided into three block courses of 12 months in duration, which include Pathology, Physiopathology, and Psychiatry II.  Additionally, there are six month courses that include: Clinical Genetics, Public Health III and IV, Forensic Medicine Issues, History & Philosophy of Medicine, and Clinical Seminars. The required Clinical Clerkships during these two years include: Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Surgery, Psychiatry, Family & Community Medicine, and Emergency Medicine.  Other subspecialty rotations are part of our four-week long electives.

Third and fourth year courses are taught in SPANISH, and since students will have taken our intensive Spanish Language course, those who are not native Spanish speakers should be comfortable by their third year with the language.

By the end of the 8th semester (year 4), students are required to apply and take the USMLE step 2 (CK) Clinical Knowledge exam.

 

Internship

Following the completion of the basic and clinical disciplines, graduates will join the medical staff of a teaching hospital as an intern. During this 12-month period, they will follow two- month rotations in the following departments:  Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Surgery, and Pediatrics.  This will be followed by one-month rotations in Family & Community outpatient clinics and in the Emergency Room.  The last month will be an elective rotation of the student´s choice. During this period they will work directly with patients and have the responsibilities of a medical intern.  Graduates may choose to spend this year in a teaching hospital in Mexico, Spain or the United States.

 

Social Service (Servicio Social)

This is the final year required before graduating from Medical School. It is a good time to prepare for the return back home and organize interviews with the hospital or residency program of interest.  During this year internship graduates can choose to care for underserved communities within the city or in rural areas.  As an alternative (and depending on the number of slots available at the time), Westhill offers the opportunity to get involved in any ongoing project in the Medical Research Department.

At the end of this year students will graduate from medical school and gain their Medical Diploma (Título), issued by Westhill University Medical School.

 

Continuing Education

Medical graduates wishing to pursue a residency program in the U.S. or Canada must have passed USMLE Step 1, Step 2 (CK) Clinical Knowledge, and Step 2 (CS) Clinical Skills and must have mailed their Westhill Medical Diploma and credentials to ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates).  www.ecfmg.org

Westhill Medical School works closely with its students and graduates in order to make this process as simple and well-guided as possible. 

 

Eligibility

Students applying for Westhill’s Medical International program must be U.S. or Canadian citizens or legal residents.  United States applicants must have completed (or prove favorable completion of) all U.S. pre-medical requirements /MCAT.

U.S. applicants that do not have pre-medical training or have no MCAT can also apply for the international program, but must complete our 180-hour Pre-Med preparation course and pass an admissions exam.
All applicants must provide a high school diploma or GED and show proof of the number of recorded college hours (if applicable).