Teaching Latinx Traditional Medicine 'Curanderismo' in Higher Education

For more than 20 years, traditional medicine of Mexico, the U.S. Southwest and other countries has been taught as a series of academic course at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque in the United States. These courses focus on traditional uses of healing plants and rituals for students in higher education and the community. These courses discuss the incorporation of diverse Hispanic and Indigenous ancestral methods of healing based on experiential learning through a series of traditional medicine classes offered at the University of New Mexico. This pedagogy is a unique approach to the reclaiming of ancestral perspectives into the university curriculum that have an enduring impact in the students enrolled in these courses. This article provides a definition of "curanderismo" and mentions three major historical figures that have impacted traditional medicine in Mexico and the United States. The article also discusses the impact that these classes have on the diverse students at a Hispanic-Serving, Level I Research American university. Finally, we discuss the development of these courses in the university system and how a program has been created that also allows community members and staff in diverse health professions to enroll in the summer face-to-face institute through the Center for Continuing Education. [For the full proceedings, see ED656038.]