2017 UW Latina and Latino Faculty Recognition Event

The Latino Center for Health at UW hosted the inaugural Latinx Faculty Recognition Event on May 16, honoring the scholarly achievements of 19 Latina and Latino faculty across the tri-campuses of the University of Washington for 2016-2017. See Photos

Faculty were recognized for meeting at least one of the following categories: promotion to associate professor or professor, publication of an article in a high impact journal, publication of a book, securing a major grant or retiring during or near the end of the academic year.

“Today’s celebration is important as it makes visible the outstanding achievements, promotion and contributions of our Latina and Latino faculty,” said Gino Aisenberg, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Co-Director of the Latino Center for Health. “Their impact resounds across the UW community, to laboratories, to diverse communities and fields of practice, and throughout the world. Of particular note, we are overjoyed that six honorees have been promoted during this academic year!”

The 19 faculty who were honored in the presence of President Ana Mari Cauce, Provost Gerald Baldasty, Regent Rogelio Riojas, Graduate School Dean David Eaton, other deans, chairs, colleagues, students, family members and friends:

Dr. Cecilia Aragon
Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering
Dr. Paulo Barreto
Institute of Technology, UW Tacoma
Dr. Andres Barria
Department of Physiology Biophysics
Dr. Marisol Berríos-Miranda
Ethnomusicology/Honors Program
Dr. René Flores
Department of Sociology
Dr. Erasmo Gamboa
Department of American Ethnic Studies
Dr. Ricardo Gomez
Information School
Dr. Linda Ko
Department of Health Services
Dr. Leo Morales
School of Medicine
Dr. Miguel Morales
Department of Physics
Dr. Anderson Nascimento
Institute of Technology, UW Tacoma
Dr. India Ornelas
Department of Health Services
Dr. Jacqueline Padilla-Gamiño
School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
Dr. Lilo D. Pozzo
Department of Chemical Engineering
Dr. Joseph Sisneros
Department of Psychology
Dr. David Suárez
Evans School of Public Policy and Governance
Dr. Tatiana Toro
Department of Mathematics
Dr. Gunther Uhlmann
Department of Mathematics
Dr. Anaid Yerena
Urban Studies, UW Tacoma

State invests $500,000 in first Latino center for health in WA

Critical funds to be used to advance research and improve health practices

There is a scarcity of bilingual and bicultural providers to meet the health needs of the Latino population. They often experience multiple chronic diseases and stressors which further complicate their health. Latinos account for 12% of the overall population in Washington State yet lack access to health services that meet their unique needs. The Center is staunchly committed to impactful research, practice and policy that enhance the delivery of culturally responsive services to diverse Latino communities.

“We are delighted that the Latino Center for Health has received state funding,” notes University of Washington Interim President Ana Mari Cauce. “The Center provides invaluable leadership to improve access and utilization of health care services including preventive health care and mental health services across the life span. We are especially proud that Latino Center for Health is the first research center in the state to focus on the health needs of our Latino population. The Center is a vibrant example of the University’s staunch commitment to partner with community organizations and stakeholders across Eastern, Central and Western Washington for the good of all Washingtonians.”

The Center has created a vast network of Latinos across the state. “We are partnering with local communities to identify research needs to promote the health and well-being of Latino communities,” states Gino Aisenberg, Co-Director of the Center. Key areas of research include physical health, mental health, environmental and occupational health, and violence and injury prevention. Center Co-Director Leo Morales states “by bringing together faculty from a variety of backgrounds to conduct community-engaged research we aim to develop evidence based practices to improve the conditions and delivery of healthcare for Latino patients.”

“Funding for the Latino Center for Health is about more than research – it is an important investment in the well-being of a rapidly growing and often underserved community in our state,” said Rep. Brady Walkinshaw, a Democrat from Seattle and a Cuban American. “As many parts of our state benefit from economic growth and prosperity, the Center will work to curb health disparities facing the Latino community, and ultimately our state as a whole.”

The Latino Center for Health was launched in April 2014 to promote the health and well-being of Washington State’s growing Latino communities through innovative community engaged research, student and faculty training, and policy analysis. The Center received seed funding from the School of Social Work the Graduate School and the School of Medicine.

Dolores Huerta awarded inaugural health justice award

On November 18, 2014 the Latino Center for Health awarded Dolores Huerta with the inaugural Health Justice Award at our scholarship breakfast. Huerta is a living icon of social justice who has played a significant role in the American civil rights movements. Her advocacy has helped to improve the health and lives of countless Latinos across the country. Her presence at the scholarship breakfast also contributed to the success of the scholarship breakfast which raised over $12,500 in funds. The funds will be distributed in the 2015-2016 academic year to graduates students who demonstrate a commitment to improving health in Latino communities. The funds will be distributed in the 2015-2016 academic year to graduates students who demonstrate a commitment to improving health in Latino communities. Huerta was interviewed by Steve Scher during her visit to campus. Listen now

Welcome New Latino Center for Health Staff!

As of the start of the year, we welcome two new staff members to the LCH team, Natasha Ludwig-Barron and Daron Ryan. Natasha is working as a Graduate Student Assistant while she completes her PhD in Epidemiology. Daron joins us as the center’s new Research Coordinator. We are excited to have them on board advancing the center’s mission to promote evidence-based practices and culturally responsive research for the Latino community.

LCH Research Director Dr. India Ornelas Awarded $3 Million to Study Latina Mental Health

Dr. India Ornelas, Latino Center for Health Research Director and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Services, was recently awarded three million dollars from the National Institute of Health to conduct a randomized control trial of a culturally-responsive intervention to reduce mental health disparities among Latina immigrant women. This 5-year project will involve adapting an existing mental health program for Latina immigrants, Amigas Latinas Motivando El Alma (ALMA), to be delivered as a multi-site intervention in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. The ALMA program is designed to enhance social support for Latina participants and promote self-care and coping strategies to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. This project builds on pilot work conducted in 2015 that demonstrated the potential impact of the ALMA curriculum on mental health among a sample of 24 Latina immigrants. Read more about the current study here. Congratulations to Dr. Ornelas and the ALMA team!