Chile: Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment

Faculty and Staff

Rossana Testa, Ph.D., Academic Director
A native of Chile, Dr. Testa received her Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Zaragoza. She holds several additional degrees and certificates in the fields of obstetrics, epidemiology, biology, and organizational management. Dr. Testa's core academic interests include women's health, youth, indigenous medicine, preventative and promotional health, and intercultural exchange. She has published several articles in professional journals, including the Chilean Journal of Public Health. Dr. Testa also has participated in observational study tours to Indonesia and Japan, focusing on themes such as "Community Participation in Family Planning Programs" and "Prevention of Lifestyle-Related Diseases".  She has taught for fifteen years at the University of Tarapacá, in the fields of obstetrics and nursing.
 
Dr. Testa has extensive experience working in primary care centers, hospitals, and rural and private clinics throughout Chile. She served as the first director of a specialized center of primary care for adolescents. She was previously based in Northern Chile with Arica Health Service, where she oversaw a special health program for the region's indigenous community and also led the Health Service of Arica's adolescent division.
 
As academic director with SIT Study Abroad, Dr. Testa oversees all aspects of the Chile: Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment program. In addition to giving lectures and advising students, she plans the program's educational excursions and works to ensure that students' academic needs are met.

Leonardo González, Program Assistant
Leonardo holds an undergraduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Tarapacá in Arica and has worked for many years at undergraduate institutions in the administration and accounting divisions.  In his capacity as Program Assistant with SIT Study Abroad, Leonardo facilitates cross-cultural communication among SIT students, lecturers, and other program partners.
 
Ricardo Reyes, Language Coordinator
Ricardo is currently a professor of English and assistant professor of literature in the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Tarapacá.  He holds a Master's degree in English specializing in E-Learning. Ricardo has worked in Chile, the U.K., and the United States. In 2002, Ricardo worked as a Spanish tutor at Albright College, in Reading, PA. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at the University of Tarapacá, he directs the University's "Video and Listening Room" for English language learning. From 2004 to 2005, Ricardo was an assistant teacher of modern languages at the Little Ilford School and Lister Community School in London, England.
 
Cecilia Siu Chan, Homestay Coordinator
Cecilia holds a degree in accounting and business administration from the Universidad Católica del Perú.  Cecilia has served as homestay coordinator with the SIT Chile: Public Health and Community Welfare program since spring 2009 and has served as a homestay family for SIT students since 2007. 
 
Outside of her work with SIT Study Abroad, Cecilia is a private English teacher.  For the last ten years, Cecilia has taught primary school students in Arica. 

Sampling of the professors for this program:

Fresia Caba, Ph.D., MPH
Dr. Caba received her doctorate in public health with a specialization in epidemiology from Mexico's National Institute of Public Health. She also holds a master's degree in public health from the University of Chile; degrees in biological sciences and health management from Galille College in Israel; and several degrees in epidemiology and qualitative methods. She has more than 20 years experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students at institutions such as the University of Chile, the University of Tarapacá, and the University of Santiago. Dr. Caba has published articles in several magazines, including ISI and SCIELO, as well as chapters in books on the subjects of reproductive health, intercultural health, biology, obstetrics, gender, adolescence, and sex education.

Currently, she is a professor in the Medical Sciences Department of the University of Tarapacá and also serves as director of the University's Postgraduate Public Health Department.

Roxana Gálvez, Lic.
Roxana completed her studies at the University of Tarapacá, Arica, graduating in 1998 with a B.A. in midwifery, obstetrics, and neonatology. In 2000, she entered the Health Service of Arica directing HIV/AIDS prevention projects. In 2001, she joined the Dr. Juan Noé Hospital as the head midwife in charge of the Center of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (presently UNACESS), a position that she holds today.

Roxana holds a degree in logistical management within health and has a postgraduate degree in HIV/AIDS education. She coordinated the regional working group of HIV/AIDS advisors from 2000 to 2006, and is still an integral member of that committee. She is also a member of the committee for the prevention of drug and alcohol consumption at the Health Service of Arica. Roxana teaches a course on sexually transmitted infections at the University of Tarapacá. She is currently a graduate student of care management and serves as president of the Regional School of Midwives in Arica.

Patricia Huber, M.D., MPH
Dr. Huber studied medicine at the University of Concepción and completed postgraduate work in public health at the University of Chile. She also obtained a master's degree in epidemiology and occupational health from the University of Chile. Additionally, Dr. Huber has a diploma in social management and public policy from the Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) in Chile.

Between 2005 and 2008, Dr. Huber was head of the Health Service of Arica's Epidemiology Unit and later head of the Department of Information in Health and Production Services for Health Arica (Departamento de Información en Salud y Producción del Servicio de Salud Arica). From 1997 to 2005, she worked as a research officer in the Department of Decision Support Fraser Health in British Columbia, Canada where she directed efforts involving health diagnostics for the region, score card indicators, and the assistance network.

Currently, Dr. Huber is Assistant Director of Welfare Management of the Health Service of Arica, in charge of the Department of Coordination Network and Information in Health and Production. In her current position, Dr. Huber's work includes: contributing to the fulfillment of the Health Service's sanitation objectives; modernization of welfare networks; implementing the Health Service's strategic plan; and a patient attention model included in current health reform. She is also responsible for managing and coordinating the Health Service's welfare network and is responsible for the health needs of the target population.

Jerka Krstulovic, M.D.
Dr. Krstulovic specializes in pediatrics. She has worked in both the public and private sectors in Santiago and Arica as a treating physician, in management of health care facilities, and in academic research activities. From 1998 to the present, she has worked as a doctor in both the endocrinology and nutrition urgent care units of Dr. Juan Noé Hospital. She has convened commissions focused on nursing mothers, undernourishment, and health and education. Dr. Krstulovic has worked as a collaborator in the Undernourishment in Indigenous Towns program; a clinical manager in pediatrics; and has been a member of the regional vaccine table PAI. She has directed the Children's Health Program in Santiago, as well as the Health Service of Arica, and has also led various research efforts in the area.

Currently, Dr. Krstulovic is head of the Children's Health Program for AUGE plan for Mellitus Diabetes type I, the Nutritional Cycle, and PKU-HC program of the Health Service of Arica. She is an active member of the Chilean Society of Pediatrics and a collaborative partner of the Chilean Society of Nutrition.

Ester López, Ps, SW, MHR
Ester obtained a degree in social work from the University of Valparaíso and a degree in psychology from the University of Tarapacá. She also holds a certification in rationalist mental psychotherapy from the Institute of Mental Therapy of Santiago. She graduated with a certificate in family mediation from the Technological University of Chile. She holds a master's degree in human resources management from the University Arturo Prat and the University of Valparaíso.

Ester is a member of a number of work groups addressing topics such as: intra-family violence, alcohol and drug treatment and prevention, quality of life. Additionally, she was involved in developing Health Service of Arica's strategic plan.

From 2000 to the present, Ester has taught social work, commercial engineering, and kindergarten education at the University of Arturo Prat. From 1990 to 2005, she worked in “Mutual de Seguridad” as a social worker supporting patients of industrial accidents and diseases and as a psychologist in qualification and selection. She also provided clinical attention to patients. Currently, Ester is head of the Mental Health Unit of the Health Service of Arica, in charge of mental health teams and community psychiatry (South and North ESSMA).

Luis Galdames Rosas, Ph.D.
Dr. Rosas is a professor of history and geography. He holds a bachelor of science in development with a concentration in sociology from the Instituto Latinoamericano de Doctrina y Estudios Sociales (ILADES) of Lovaina University; a master's degree in history with a concentration in ethno-history; and doctor of philosophy with a concentration in epistemology of social sciences. He completed postdoctoral studies at the Alcalá de Henares University in Spain. Additionally, he has studied anthropology and journalism at the University of Chile.

Dr. Rosas is currently a tenured professor in the Department of Historical and Geographical Sciences at the University of Tarapacá, giving lectures on American and Chilean history. He has co-authored four books and has also written chapters in books and articles in indexed journals and for nationally and internationally circulated magazines.

Rodrigo Valencia Severino
Rodrigo has a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Valparaíso and a master's degree in public health, with a concentration in public health promotion, from the University of Chile's School of Public Health. He received an MBA from the University of el Mar in the management of public health centers and institutions.  He also holds a master's degree in participatory management and healthy communities from the Complutense University of Madrid.

He has worked as a clinical nurse at Santo Tomás Hospital and also at a primary care clinic in the city of Limache. He has worked as a nurse in rural areas of the Chilean highlands and in the Azapa and Lluta valleys. His has gained experience teaching in the programs of primary pedagogy in education and pre-school at the University of Tarapacá in Arica. Currently he works in the department of coordination of medical networks in the director's office of the Health Service of Arica.

Carla Vaury Tejerina
Carla holds a master's degree in public health policy from the University of Arturo Prat and the University of Valparaíso. Carla also has a diploma in social participation from the University of Los Lagos, and she studied social work at the University of Antofagasta.  Currently she works as a part-time lecturer at the University of Arturo Prat's social work program and works full time at the Health Service of Arica in the areas of social participation and user satisfaction.

Dr. Domingo Barrientos Vásquez
Dr. Vásquez obtained a medical degree and a master's degree in public health from the University of Chile. He also obtained a diploma in geriatrics and gerontology from the University of Concepción. He has extensive experience in the field of public health. He has held senior positions at Chile's Ministry of Health and at other public health institutions and establishments. He is a permanent member of the Ministry of Health in the Council of National Health of Chile. Previously, he worked as a consultant for the development of Nicaragua's health system.

Dr. Vásquez has taught courses at the University Santo Tomás School of Social Work, delivering lectures in public health. He holds several diplomas in different medical and management skills. He has served as director of health systems in the regions of Atacama, Rancagua, and Arica. In recent years, he has specialized in complementary medicine from the perspective of synergetics. Currently he is a geriatrics and complementary medicine doctor at the Dr. Juan Noé Hospital in Arica.

Silvia Zamorano, Lic., MPA
Silvia completed studies in obstetrics and neonatology at the University of Chile, obtaining the title of midwife. Through a joint program at the University Arturo Prat and University of Valparaíso, she obtained a master's degree in public management. Silvia has worked in public service for 20 years in different clinical areas and in management. She has worked in the Province of Parinacota and Commune of Camarones; in management in the Direction of Primary Attention; and later in the Women's Program of Health Service of Arica. When working for the Women's Program, she developed activities to monitor the quality of contraceptives logistics. For eight years, she was in charge of the Unit of Registry and Control of Medical and Paramedical Professions in the Health Service of Arica. Currently, she is the Regional Secretary of the Ministry of Health.