In Bozeman, Montana, a growing network of medical students, healthcare professionals, and community advocates is coming together to make healthcare more accessible for Spanish-speaking and immigrant families through Proyecto SALUD (”Project Health”)—a series of seasonal health fairs that provide free screenings, resources, and connection to longer-term care. For second-year Montana WWAMI student Barla Beaudoin, the project represents both a professional and personal calling.
Proyecto SALUD’s health fairs are designed to meet people where they are, both literally and culturally. “The fairs bring together interdisciplinary teams—social workers, dentists, physicians, and community health workers—to deliver services in a single, accessible setting,” Beaudoin explains. “As student volunteers, we take vitals, screen vision, and perform A1C screenings.”
The result, she says, is meaningful for everyone involved. “For the community, the fairs reduce barriers to basic healthcare. They identify uncontrolled chronic disease, provide urgent dental triage, and connect people to social supports and follow-up care who otherwise might not access it.”
For students, the learning goes beyond clinical technique. “The experience is transformative—it builds cultural humility and confidence in communicating across language and system barriers,” Beaudoin says. “Students develop a deeper understanding of social determinants of health and leave with concrete motivation to advocate for more equitable care.”
Beaudoin recalls one moment that continues to guide her. “A little girl at the fair told me she had never seen a doctor with brown skin in Bozeman,” she says. “I smiled and told her that I wasn’t a doctor yet, but that I was working hard to become one. Her eyes lit up, and she said she wanted to be a doctor too.”
The girl’s father grew emotional as he thanked Beaudoin for volunteering. “He told me it meant a lot that we were there and cared about immigrants,” she recalls. “That moment reminded me how representation matters—and how something as small as showing up can make others feel seen.”
Her connection to Proyecto SALUD runs deeper than academics. “As the child of an immigrant mother who struggled navigating the healthcare system, it’s meaningful to create a space where language and immigration status aren’t barriers to care,” Beaudoin reflects.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue providing compassionate care to patients while mentoring other students to be attentive and culturally conscious clinicians. “Our Hispanic and immigrant community in Bozeman is growing rapidly, and culturally aware, low-barrier services are critical for community health,” she says. “Proyecto SALUD is more than a clinic day—it’s harm reduction, relationship building, and a bridge to longer-term care.”
Learn more about Montana WWAMI.