Who Our Students Are and How the Program Works
The women we support through Adelante Mujer are primarily from the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua—one of the most underserved regions of the country. Our students come from communities such as Waspam, Rosita, Siuna, Puerto Cabezas (Bilwi), and many small surrounding villages where access to education and healthcare is limited but the desire to serve is strong.
Currently, we are proud to support 56 students enrolled at URACCAN University’s School of Intercultural Medicinein Bilwi/Puerto Cabezas. Adelante Mujer provides funding that helps cover the cost of tuition, essential school and medical supplies, one nutritious meal per school day, and participation in a specialized medical workshop held each January.
But this is about more than financial assistance—it’s about standing alongside these women as they work toward a goal that will not only change their own lives but also bring healing to their families, their neighbors, and their communities.
The journey to becoming a doctor in Nicaragua is long and demanding—requiring six years of academic study at URACCAN University, followed by a one-year internship at the local hospital, and then two additional years of social service in hospitals and clinics assigned by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (MINSA). Only after completing these nine years of training and practice do these women receive their MINSA code number, the credential that allows them to fully practice as licensed medical doctors.
The women who complete this journey are not only doctors. They are leaders, healers, and role models—bringing culturally informed medical care to places where it is needed most.
Celebrating Our Graduates
On December 12, 2014, the very first class of Adelante Mujer students—eight remarkable women—graduated as medical doctors, officially taking the Hippocratic Oath and stepping into their calling as healthcare providers.
Since that first graduation, the number of Adelante Mujer doctors has continued to grow year by year:
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5 graduates on January 27, 2016
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9 graduates on December 5, 2016
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9 graduates on February 24, 2018
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14 graduates on March 23, 2019
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9 graduates on February 21, 2020
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7 graduates on March 24, 2021
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9 graduates on February 18, 2022
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5 graduates on March 15, 2023
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14 graduates on February 17, 2024
- 6 graduates on February 22, 2025
To date, a total of 95 women supported by Adelante Mujer have earned their medical degrees—each one a powerful testimony to what happens when opportunity meets determination.
What It Takes to Become a Doctor in Nicaragua
The journey to becoming a doctor in Nicaragua is long and challenging—requiring not only years of study but also deep dedication and resilience.
After completing six years of academic study at URACCAN University, graduates move on to a one-year internship at the local hospital. This is followed by two additional years of social service, working in hospitals and clinics assigned by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (MINSA), often in remote or underserved areas where their skills are needed most.
Only after these nine years of intense training and service do they receive their MINSA code number—the official credential that allows them to fully practice as licensed medical doctors.
The women who complete this journey are not only doctors. They are leaders, healers, and role models in their communities—bringing care, compassion, and culturally informed medical knowledge to places where it is urgently needed.
