Two programs at the University of California, San Diego, (UCSD) in Spanish and Cultural Sensitivity are reported, one at the UCSD Medical Center and the other at the School of Medicine. These programs illustrate the power of culturally sensitive medical care versus a medical practice with non cross-cultural awareness that could result in patient non-compliance and hopelessness. The two programs, one undergraduate and one graduate level, were founded in 1979 and 1984, respectively. The approaches at each are similar: to bridge the linguistic and cultural differences existing between the predominant culture and the Latino patients. Objectives, concepts, skills, and methodologies are outlined, including the goal for oral proficiency in medical Spanish. Each program includes a cultural immersion component. It is concluded that with the changing American demography, Medical Spanish is one of the Languages for Specific Purposes that is in great need. Contains 13 references. (LB)