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Latino Students in Health Care Win $16,000 in Scholarships From National Hispanic Health Foundation

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“Eight health professional students from across the U.S. each won $2,000 scholarships from the National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF), a nonprofit group affiliated with the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.

NHHF will award the $16,000 in scholarships at its third annual Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship gala dinner at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, 1535 Broadway. This year’s scholarship program was expanded from recipients based only in New York to California and Texas.

“We’re thrilled because this is the first year that NHHF will take its program to students across the country,” said Dr. Elena Rios, president and CEO of NHHF. “A consensus exists among health policymakers and experts that there are too few Hispanic health professionals in the U.S. We hope these scholarships will address that need. Those in health care play an invaluable role caring for all members of our communities.”

Health care is increasingly becoming vital to the nation’s fastest-growing ethnic group. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that one in five Americans will be Hispanic by 2030 and one in four by 2050. “As the U.S. population grows, we need more Hispanic health care professionals, especially in these key states where Hispanics number almost one of three residents,” Rios said.

NHHF is the 501(c)3 arm of the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, and representing Hispanic physicians across the U.S. NHHF is affiliated with NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, which is a center of academic excellence for public service, including health policy and management, leadership and health services research.

Ellen Schall, dean of the Wagner Graduate School, joins Rios in noting the critical need for talent in this area. “The NHHF scholarship provides needed funds and acknowledges emerging leaders – and that acknowledgement of these future leaders is equally important as the funding,” said Schall.

This year’s Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarships were awarded to outstanding students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership and a commitment to the Hispanic community, the nation’s largest minority group. The scholarship targets students who have made a commitment to improving the health of Hispanic communities. Their disciplines are in five areas: medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, and health policy and management.

This year, the winners were selected by a prestigious panel of health care officials from the Wagner Graduate School, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the Latino Caucus of the American Public Health Association, the Hispanic Dental Association, and the NHMA. Since the scholarship program was launched in 2004, NHHF has awarded 18 scholarships totaling $31,000. Also this year, NHHF established an endowment program with $5,000 in seed money.

“We at NHHF are honored to help these remarkable students in achieving their goals. We are committed to their professional success, just as they have shown their dedication to academic excellence and serving their communities,” Rios said. “By doing our part today, we are nurturing future health professionals and role models who will be tomorrow’s leaders.”

The winners of the 2006 Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarships are:

· Luis E. Salazar, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
· Magdia de Jesus, Einstein School of Medicine, Yeshiva University, NY.
· Lorena Consuelo Guerrero, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX.
· Marcy Lopez, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, NY.
· Juan Ibarra, School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley.
· Liliana Diaz, Wagner School of Public Service, NYU.
· Tina Comissiong, Wagner School of Public Service, NYU.
· Julie Longoria, Baylor College of Dentistry, Baylor University, Dallas, TX.

Luis E. Salazar, 25, is a second-year medical student at USC. “I know that as a bilingual and bicultural Mexican-American physician, I will be helping to serve the currently underserved Latino population through my own clinical endeavors,” Salazar said. “But I am realistic in that I know the need for health care services the Latino population demands is far greater than I can supply. Thus, I feel it is imperative to continue to build and improve the pipeline to ensure that other qualified Latinos enter the physician workforce.”

Magdia de Jesus, 28, of Yeshiva University has a passion for science teaching and helping his community. He also has been involved at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Hispanic Center of Excellence, mentoring undergraduate students. “My long-term goal is to become a professor in microbiology and immunology and have my own research laboratory,” de Jesus said.

Lorena Consuelo Guerrero, 38, is pursuing a PhD in nursing and is working as a member of the clinical faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Guerrero has worked with the homeless and as a family nurse practitioner for CentroMed, a federally funded health clinic in San Antonio, since 2003. Guerrero, a Chilean immigrant, also speaks Spanish, which is helpful to her patients. She sees herself as a role model for others. “We don’t have that many Hispanics in nursing. We’re really underrepresented. If our patient’s native tongue is Spanish, they prefer to have a native-speaking health professional. It also helps if the doctor or nurse has a cultural awareness of Hispanics.”

Marcy Lopez, 27, of Columbia University hopes to maintain good health among underserved and minority communities in her career as a public health professional. “I will work in translating these research findings into new and innovative prevention methods, as well as culturally appropriate and effective interventions that aim to improve the health of historically disadvantaged and underserved populations,” Lopez said.

Juan Ibarra, 33, of UC Berkeley has seen firsthand the need for Latino health professions. After coming to the U.S. from Mexico in the early 1970s, his family became part of the migrant farm working community in the San Joaquin Valley, where Ibarra saw the toll that grueling labor took on workers. His mother encouraged him to seek higher education. He graduated from the Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in human biology and a master’s in public health. Ibarra also received a master’s in social work from San Diego State University. “My greatest desire in the public health sector is to translate public health issues and theories into culturally sensitive interventions and policies for medically underserved/marginalized populations,” he said.

Liliana Diaz, 23, of NYU knows firsthand that many immigrants cannot afford health care. Her parents are Mexican immigrants whose health is poor because of malnutrition suffered during childhood. “This motivated me to pursue higher education with the hope that some day, I could make a difference,” Diaz said. “My goal is to be professionally, academically and politically capable to make a difference for people who like myself at one point did not know or understand that we do not have to suffer in silence due to inappropriate diagnosis, healthcare and treatment.”

Tina Comissiong, 24, of NYU is an avid volunteer and fundraiser. “My personal goal is to help reshape and strengthen health care in my territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands, by improving access to health care services and uniting existing health care services to provide local residents with a continuum of care thereby eliminating the need to travel off island to receive medical care,” Comissiong said. “I am interested in policy development that is focused on eliminating health disparities and in coordinating outreach efforts targeted toward the underserved populations in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

Julie Longoria, 24, is finishing her third year at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. “I am not sure where I will set up my practice, but I am sure that I will be working with underprivileged children as they are what I have found makes me most happy. Being from the Dallas area and attending dental school here, I am fully aware that over 51 million school hours are lost to dental problems each year,” Longoria said. “Even more alarming are the 70,000 children living at or below poverty level with significant dental problems. I plan to somehow begin to make a difference in access to care for these children.”"

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Knowledge is Power and this page is just the start. Hispanics/Latinos are a growing diverse force in this country. Check out some of the 59,323 items found on this site below or dig into the Site Map


News Summary: Weekly Review of Hispanic/Latino News: March 13th-19th, 2010 (view past ones) --»

Trying something new. Will see what happens! I actually had fun putting this together.

The big Hispanic/Latino news this week other than all the St. Patrick/Latino combos and Paquita la del Barrio saying about same-sex adoption, “I’d rather see a kid die.” is all the grassroots buildup to the big pro-immigration march in Washington DC tomorrow the 21st and our national leadership trying to be proactive before the march – I wish I were going but I probably will serve you the best by presenting you with the best news I can find.

Trends: Immigration Reform, Census, Violence in Mexico/Border Area and what I call “Our Future – Our People – Our Youth”

Special shout outs to:

Dyana Ortelli should co-host “The View” :: from www.heralddeparis.com (Seriously, why isn’t there a Latino on the View?)

Did You Know? Tom Flores was the first Hispanic quarterback to play professional football when he was signed by the Oakland Raiders in 1960 in the old American Football League. :: from ourdailybreadbyjoeortiz.blogspot.com

10 Reasons to Commemorate the Chicano Moratoriums 1969-1971 – While many of the Chicano generation are retiring from work, its not time to retire from the movement :: from latinola.com

Video of Los Tigres Del Norte y The Chieftains-Canción Mixteca

Cuba’s Ladies in White

No backing down for Ladies in White protesters in Cuba – The Ladies in White marched to mark the anniversary of Black Spring, but without the abuse they suffered during the previous day’s march. :: from www.miamiherald.com

Brutal atropello contra las Damas de Blanco :: from www.miamiherald.com

Cuban protesters punched, dragged – For the second straight day, but in a much harsher manner, Cuban security agents broke up a protest march by female relatives of jailed dissidents. – Damas de Blanca — or “Ladies in White” :: from www.miamiherald.com

Video: Violencia en Cuba contra Damas de Blanco

Quick Chile Earthquake Update:

New Numbers: 700 people dead + ~$30B damages + 500,000 dogs homeless or affected + Power failure plunged nearly the entire population into darkness last Sunday + Chilean Firms Fire 6,000 without Severance

Immigraion Reform: see all news for Immigration Reform tag

The Case for Immigration Reform – “On the eve of what may be the beginning of the immigration reform debate, are we a big enough country to consider the poor and desperate amongst us? Can compassion and forgiveness guide our judgment or will we hate, fear monger and slog it out healthcare style? I wonder how many of us are U.S. citizens by sheer luck and if so, can we extend the bounty that was freely given to us? :: from www.huffingtonpost.com

The national mobilization expected to attract some 100,000 people to Washington on Sunday will show an immigrant community fed up with unkept promises and with a Congress incapable of passing a comprehensive immigration reform. :: from www.laht.com

The right way to mend immigration – By Senator Charles E. Schumer and Senator Lindsey O. Graham :: from www.washingtonpost.com

Immigration reform: Stuck in the shadows – (good read – I wish I was going to DC this weekend) :: from www.washingtonpost.com

A Moment of Truth on Immigration Reform is at hand – Frank Sharry :: from www.huffingtonpost.com

After White House Meetings, What’s Next for Immigration Reform? :: from immigrationimpact.com

Groups mobilize to pressure lawmakers to act on immigration reform – Plans include a march in Washington, a texting drive, ‘tacos for justice’ coupons and score cards for lawmakers’ votes on immigration issues. ‘The time for promises is over,’ an organizer says. :: from www.latimes.com

Immigrant advocates wonder will Democrats fight as hard for immigration reform as they’ve done for healthcare? :: from www.latinalista.net

CAP applauds Senators Schumer and Graham’s efforts on immigration reform – White House Statement Signals Stepped up Engagement as Senator Schumer and Senator Graham Push for Immigration Reform This Year

SENATORS ISSUE PROMISING, BUT VAGUE IMMIGRATION REFORM PLANS – President Obama Signals Support

Latino Congress members realize that health care, immigration are intertwined :: from southchicagoan.blogspot.com

Washington to see “anti Tea Party” on Sunday – Gregory Tejeda :: from southchicagoan.blogspot.com

Obama on immigration: then and now by Rep. Luis Gutierrez :: from thehill.com

To Fight for Immigration Reform, Don’t Show Up in the Last Round – (interesting commentary) :: from www.creators.com

U.S. Halts Mexican Migrant Repatriations Via Violent Border City – Cuidad Juarez – (what took them so long?) :: from www.laht.com

Immigration reform could be dilemma – Support it or oppose it, Dems risk voter fallout :: from www.azcentral.com

Census – see all the news for Census tag

Hispanics Are Increasingly Motivated about the 2010 Census with 91% Intending to Participate – according to the newest Ipsos-Telemundo telephone poll :: from www.ipsos-na.com

“No, I am not Black” – Describing Skin Color is a Dilemma for Puerto Ricans – Census – “No, yo no soy negro” – Describir el color de la piel es un dilema para los boricuas :: from archive.constantcontact.com

Filling Out the Census While Latina or How My Mom is White and I’m Not :: from vivirlatino.com

Census Says “Hispanic” Not A Race – Bronx Latinos Confused :: from www.wpix.com

Violence in Mexico/Border Area:

The nearly 50 murders committed on the final day of a long holiday weekend brought to 2,049 the number of drug-related homicides in Mexico just 74 days into 2010 :: from www.laht.com

Just how dangerous is Mexico? Rates of violent crime are on the rise in Mexico, but they remain lower than in the not-so-distant past — and lower than today’s violence in other Latin American countries of comparable size and wealth. :: from eurasia.foreignpolicy.com

The blog Ontobelli (en Español) meticulously accounts for narco-related gun battles across Mexico, mostly via amateur YouTube clips. Many if not most of these battles go unreported in the mainstream press.

Mexican Drug Cartels Extend Reach Farther Into U.S. – (click around the graphic for lots of info thanks to NPR) :: from www.npr.org

American Consular Slayings

A top-level American delegation will visit Mexico on Tuesday in a major show of solidarity, after the borderland drug war claimed the lives of U.S. consulate employees last weekend. :: from www.dallasnews.com

Consular slayings spotlight Mexico’s failures in fighting drug gangs – On a visit to Ciudad Juarez in the wake of the killings of an American couple and a Mexican, President Calderon is confronted by angry demonstrations and a tense, frustrated citizenry. :: from www.chicagotribune.com

The spin on President Felipe Calderon’s visit to Juarez – The range of spin on the news of the day in the Mexican press is often astounding. :: from latimesblogs.latimes.com

Suspected drug cartel hit squads gunned down three people connected to the US consulate in Ciudad Juarez :: from news.bbc.co.uk

The State Department is authorizing U.S. government employees at six U.S. consulates in northern Mexico to send their family members out of the area because of concerns about rising drug-related violence. :: from www.google.com

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Tuesday that she will freeze funds for expanding the virtual fence that originally was supposed to monitor most of the 2,000-mile southern U.S. border by 2011 but now covers only a portion of Arizona’s boundary with Mexico. :: from www.npr.org

17 killed as Acapulco tourist idyll shattered by growing drug violence :: from www.timesonline.co.uk

Our Future – Our People – Our Youth:

New NCLR Fact Sheet Shows Young Latinos Overrepresented in Juvenile Justice System and Adult Prison Facilities

Extreme obesity is affecting more children at younger ages: 11.2% of Hispanic teenage boys now classified as extremely obese

Minorities at Greater Risk for Kidney Disease – Hispanic Americans have nearly twice the risk of kidney failure compared to non-Hispanic white Americans.

Low Hispanic College Graduation Rates Threaten U.S. Attainment Goals – New Study: “Rising to the Challenge: Raising Hispanic Graduation Rates as a National Priority” – Hispanic students generally graduate at lower rates than their white peers, even among schools with similar admissions standards

New report finds colleges bear half of the blame for low Latino graduation rates :: from www.latinalista.net

Thoughts on the Mexican American Struggles for Peace and Justice – We are entering a new movimiento era for Mexican Americans and Latinos where a passing of the torch is in process :: from latinola.com

Increasing Evidence That Recession Has Caused Number of Unauthorized Immigrants in US to Drop :: from www.migrationinformation.org

Sadly, the California governor’s race has turned into a “let’s see who can talk the toughest on immigration” competition. :: from latinopoliticsblog.com

A bill that would require Oklahoma public schools to verify the immigration status of all students and report it to the state Department of Education drew fire from Tulsa Hispanic leaders Monday as well as criticism from Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Keith Ballard. :: from www.tulsaworld.com

Catholic Church, and religion in general, losing Latinos in USA :: from www.usatoday.com

32% of US Catholics are now Hispanic :: from www.catholicculture.org

Yet Another Reason for Poor Performance among Latino Students (Like You Haven’t Heard it All Already) :: from labloga.blogspot.com

An Open Letter to the Texas Board of Education: Stop Rewriting History – (excellent commentary – this goes way past racial issues to something more insidious – I must point out that all 5 ‘minority’ board members voted ‘no’ but in this case they really were the minority as the other 10 held the majority) :: from www.huffingtonpost.com

Texas schoolbook controversy ought not be a surprise :: from southchicagoan.blogspot.com

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio plans to launch a crime and immigration sweep this week, but declined to say specifically when or where it will begin. :: from www.azcentral.com

Targeting illegal immigrants, Arizona goes too far :: from www.washingtonpost.com

Restrictionist Front Group Still Pushing Green Xenophobia – Progressives for Immigration Reform (PFIR)—a front group for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) :: from immigrationimpact.com

Other:

Report Shows Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Projects Lead to Massive Displacement of local populations in Latin America

About 120 million people lack access systems for potable water and basic health services in Latin America and the Caribbean :: from www.laht.com

With so many Zacatecans in L.A., why is the best cooking still found at home? :: from www.latimes.com

Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Translator Edith Grossman Speaks Up For Translations – (interesting) :: from www.huffingtonpost.com

Video: The National Hispanic Media Coalition 2010 Impact Awards Gala – Part 1 & 2 – hosted by Wilmer Valderrama and Jose Luis Valenzuela

TOP Ten ways Chicanos celebrate St. Patricks Day – Al Carlos

New political movement Coffee Party USA could become Café Olé for Latinos :: from www.latinalista.net

Latino Congressmen Take a Gamble with Health Care Reform :: from latinopoliticsblog.com

Three Mexican guestworkers find doing things legally incurs a high cost :: from www.latinalista.net

Illinois bill assumes all Latinos and blacks are gang members :: from www.latinalista.net

Gay Parents or Death? Famed Latino Singer Picks Death – A Mexican feminist singer makes controversial comments just days after Mexico City performs its first same-sex marriages. – Paquita la del Barrio is standing against same-sex adoption, saying, “I’d rather see a kid die.” :: from www.nbclosangeles.com

Nicknames given with affection – Sobrenombres – – With all due respect to El Gato, Chapito, El Baby, La Blondie, El Dormido, La Peach, La Bomba and all the proud vatos from El Sobaco. :: from www.elpasotimes.com

First alpaca in the world that can surf lives in Peru – (with video en Español)

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