As part of an effort to integrate academic training with social commitment, students from the Physiotherapy program at the María Cano University Foundation, Medellín campus, began their professional internships this week at the ESE Hospital Mental de Antioquia, a leading institution in mental health care in the region.

This initiative, the result of an inter-institutional alliance, aims to strengthen the comprehensive training of future health professionals while contributing to the physical and emotional well-being of both patients and hospital staff. The internships are designed with a social, preventive, and therapeutic approach, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-life contexts with high community impact.

Among the activities being carried out are group psychomotor workshops with recreational elements, guided and adapted physical activity, community social sports, and pre-sport games. These strategies not only promote mobility and motor development in patients but also serve as spaces for integration, motivation, and improved emotional well-being.

In addition, within the area of Occupational Health and Safety, students will lead health education activities focused on self-care and the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. These include active breaks, training sessions, promotion of healthy habits, and the implementation of the well-known Spine Schools, programs aimed at encouraging proper posture and preventing work-related injuries among hospital staff.

This type of partnership reflects the María Cano University Foundation’s strong commitment to university social responsibility, promoting an educational model that goes beyond the classroom to contribute to human and community development.

“These experiences strengthen not only the clinical and technical skills of our students but also their awareness and sensitivity to the social realities of the country,” said a spokesperson for the institution.

Through concrete actions and active participation in real health care settings, the María Cano University Foundation reaffirms its mission to train professionals who are committed to social transformation, service, and the building of healthier, more equitable communities.