Category: News

Meet our student fellow from the School of Social Work

Earlier this quarter, we announced the launch of our inaugural Student Scholars Fellowship Program, which aims to support the next generation of leaders and scholars who promote the wellbeing of Latinx communities in Washington state. This program includes an outstanding cohort of 10 students in health sciences programs across the campuses of the @University of Washington and @Heritage University. We will be highlighting the stories of these students starting today and throughout the summer. This week, we are starting with Kenia Ramirez, MSW (she/her/ella).

Kenia was a social work student at the UW up until recently–she just graduated last week with a Master’s in Social Work. Congratulations Kenia, on this very important achievement! Felicidades!

Kenia is also a DACA recipient, and earlier today, the Supreme Court blocked the Trump Administration’s attempt to end DACA. “Today is a celebratory day for us, Dreamers”, she told me in an email.

Kenia was born in Puebla, Mexico and then moved to Seattle when she was seven years old. Two years after arriving in the US, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that brought up many challenges for her and her family. “During this time, the biggest support we received came from the hospital social worker,” says Kenia. “It was his dedication and support that influenced by decision of becoming a social worker myself.”

Now that she’s graduated, Kenia’s plan is to work as a healthcare social worker. “I want to be responsive to the healthcare needs of Latino families by providing care to those greatly impacted by acute or chronic medical illnesses and those coping and adjusting to end of life—in other words, palliative and hospice care,” says Kenia. But her plan doesn’t end there. “In the future, my personal goal is to combine my passion for Latino health, end of life and immigration by doing research. I want to incorporate the voices of the undocumented individuals when receiving end of life care,” Kenia adds.

“Ultimately, I want to bring awareness to providers regarding the values and beliefs this community has regarding death and also educate the same community on this topic utilizing a framework that is compatible with their values and beliefs.”

Read more about Kenia’s story here (in English) and here (en español)!

Dolores Huerta and President Cauce congratulate the 32 Latinx faculty being honored this year

Dolores Huerta, a nationally renowned labor leader and civil rights activist, was scheduled to be the keynote speaker for this year’s Latinx Faculty Recognition Event at the University of Washington. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic however, the event was canceled, and in its place, Dolores recorded a video message for the 32 Latinx faculty who are being recognized for their outstanding scholarly achievements.

UW President Ana Mari Cauce also extended her heartfelt congratulations to the faculty honorees through a video message, thanking them for their incredible contributions to the university.

The Latino Center for Health would like to thank both Dolores Huerta and President Cauce for helping us celebrate and honor these 32 exceptional faculty whose impact resounds across the UW community, from classrooms and laboratories, to diverse communities and fields of practice, and throughout the world. ¡Mil gracias!

Latino Center for Health recognizes 32 faculty at UW for the 2019-20 academic year

The Latino Center for Health is pleased to announce the 32 Latinx faculty members at the Tacoma, Bothell, and Seattle campuses of the University of Washington being recognized for their scholarly achievements this academic year. Notably, eight of the 32 being recognized are from UW Tacoma and one is from UW Bothell.

Faculty were recognized for meeting at least one of the following criteria during this academic year: 1) publishing a scholarly article in a high impact journal or an influential book, 2) receiving a major grant, 3) being appointed to a significant leadership position, 4) being promoted to associate or full professor, and 5) retiring by the summer of 2020.

“I wish we all could be together to celebrate and honor the outstanding scholarly achievements of this year’s 32 remarkable Latinx faculty members at the Tacoma, Bothell, and Seattle campuses of the University of Washington,” says Dolores Huerta, a nationally renowned labor leader and civil rights activist who was scheduled to be the keynote speaker for this year’s Latinx Faculty Recognition Event, which was cancelled due to the pandemic. “Though we are apart due to COVID-19, I want to share my heartfelt congratulations to all of you.”

You can watch Dolores Huerta’s video message to the faculty honorees here, and President Ana Mari Cauce’s video message here.

These 32 faculty represent a variety of disciplines, including aquatic & fishery sciences, history, biostatistics, international studies, microbiology, business, arts, communication, health services, and more. Some of their publications include Feminist Responses to the Neoliberalization of the University: From Surviving to Thriving, Amplifying RNA Vaccine Development, and Ongoing Obstacles to Confronting Microagressions in Medicine, just to name a few.

“The impact of these Latinx faculty resounds across the UW community, from classrooms and laboratories, to diverse communities and fields of practice, and throughout the world,” says Dr. Gino Aisenberg, associate professor in social work and co-director of the Latino Center for Health.

“But more than your scholarly contributions, you are role models and mentors, particularly to our Latinx students who see you, look up to you and know that si se puede, si se puede,” adds Dolores Huerta.

The 32 faculty recognized this year are:

  • Gabriel Gallardo, Associate Vice President, Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity and Affiliate Associate Professor, Geography
  • Juan Guerra, Professor & Chair, American Ethnic Studies
  • Gino Aisenberg, Associate Professor, Social Work and Co-Director, Latino Center for Health
  • Cecilia Aragon, Professor, Human Centered Design & Engineering
  • Maria-Tania Bandes-Becerra Weingarden, Lecturer, Culture, Arts & Communication, University of Washington-Tacoma
  • Barbara Baquero, Associate Professor, Health Services
  • Ruben Casas, Assistant Professor, Culture, Arts & Communication, University of Washington-Tacoma
  • Sarah Chavez, Lecturer, Culture, Arts & Communication, University of Washington-Tacoma
  • Joana Cunha-Cruz, Research Associate Professor, Oral Health Sciences
  • Sonia de la Cruz, Assistant Professor, Culture, Arts & Communication, University of Washington-Tacoma
  • Alejandro Francetich, Assistant Professor, School of Business, University of Washington-Bothell
  • Deborah Fuller, Professor, Microbiology
  • Maria Elena Garcia, Associate Professor, International Studies
  • Angelina Godoy, Professor, Law, Societies & Justice
  • Ricardo Gomez, Associate Professor, Information School
  • Luis Gonzalez-Cuyar, Assistant Professor, Pathology
  • Catherine Hough, Professor, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
  • Lurdes Inoue, Professor & Chair, Biostatistics
  • Jose Antonio Lucero, Associate Professor & Chair, Latin American & Caribbean Studies
  • Roberto Montenegro, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
  • Leo Morales, Professor & Chief Diversity Officer, School of Medicine
  • Itziri Montero Villamar, Full-time Lecturer, Culture, Arts & Communication, University of Washington-Tacoma
  • Ariana Ochoa Camacho, Assistant Professor, Social & Historical Studies, University of Washington-Tacoma
  • India Ornelas, Associate Professor, Health Services
  • Johnnie Orozco, Assistant Professor, Hematology
  • Jacqueline Padilla-Gamiño, Assistant Professor, Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
  • Maggie Ramirez, Assistant Professor, Health Services
  • Alyssa Ramirez Stege, Assistant Professor, Social, Behavioral & Human Sciences, University of Washington-Tacoma
  • Rosana Risques, Associate Professor, Pathology
  • Ileana Rodriguez-Silva, Associate Professor, History
  • Joseph Sisneros, Professor, Psychology
  • Anaid Yerena, Assistant Professor, Urban Studies, University of Washington-Tacoma

To learn more about each faculty member and the specific categories for which they are being recognized for, click here.

Grant funds research to develop COVID-19 communications for Latino agricultural workers in Yakima County

A project to assess and address the need for public health messages dealing with the coronavirus outbreak and targeted to Latino immigrants in Yakima County recently received a UW Population Health Initiative COVID-19 rapid response grant.

Latino Center for Health co-director Dr. Gino Aisenberg is one of the team’s six co-investigators.

To read more about the project, click here.

Latino Center for Health launches inaugural Student Scholars Fellowship Program

The Latino Center for Health is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural Student Scholars Fellowship Program earlier this quarter as part of its mission to advance the field of Latino health by building capacity to address current and emerging health issues facing diverse Latinx communities in Washington state.

“The overall aim of this program is to support the next generation of leaders and scholars who promote the health and well-being of Latinx communities in our state,” says Dr. Gino Aisenberg, associate professor in the UW School of Social Work and co-director of the Latino Center for Health. “Under the leadership of Mikaela Freundlich, Program Coordinator, this fellowship program provides crucial funding to students as well as programmatic activities that promote community and engagement with the faculty and staff of the Center,” adds Dr. Aisenberg.

An outstanding cohort of 10 students in health sciences programs across the campuses of the University of Washington and Heritage University have been selected as the inaugural recipients of this fellowship.

“The recipients of the Latino Center for Health Student Scholars Fellowship Program are the future leaders of Latino communities in our state and region,” says Dr. Leo Morales, professor and chief diversity officer of the UW School of Medicine and co-director of the Latino Center for Health. “They are the most important aspect of the Latino Center for Health’s aspirations and vision.”

The 10 students selected for this year’s fellowship program are:

  • Gabino Abarca, MPH student in Health Services, University of Washington School of Public Health
  • Amaya Alonso Halifax, MOT student, University of Washington School of Medicine
  • Magali Blanco, PhD student in Environmental and Occupational Hygiene, University of Washington School of Public Health
  • Andrea Cabrera, PhD student in Nursing Science, University of Washington School of Nursing
  • Israel Cervantes Rodríguez, BSW student, Heritage University
  • Dulce Domínguez, BSN student, Heritage University
  • Stacey Fernández, BA student in Social Welfare, University of Washington Tacoma
  • Mariany Morales, DDS student, University of Washington School of Dentistry
  • Kenia Ramírez, MSW student, University of Washington School of Social Work
  • Mary Carmen Zúñiga, MD student, University of Washington School of Medicine

The Latino Center for Health plans to continue this fellowship program on an annual basis as part of its commitment to supporting emerging scholars in Latino health.

LCHStudentScholarsFellowshipProgram_Press Release

32 UW faculty honored at 4th Annual Latinx Faculty Recognition

The Latino Center for Health proudly presents the 32 honorees of the 4th Annual Latinx Faculty Recognition for the 2019-20 academic year!

These 32 Latinx faculty at the University of Washington (Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma) are being recognized and honored for their outstanding scholarly achievements, including but not limited to 1) publishing a scholarly article in a high impact journal or an influential book, 2) receiving a major grant, 3) being promoted to associate or full professor, and 4) retiring by the summer of 2020.

Among those being recognized is Dr. Gabriel Gallardo, Associate Vice President of the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMAD) and Affiliate Associate Professor in Geography. Dr. Gallardo, who has worked at the UW for 27 years, has been a key leader and staunch advocate for expanding access and promoting success for first generation, low-income, and underrepresented students at UW. For his generative leadership and indelible impact on students, staff, an faculty alike, the Latino Center for Health honors Dr. Gabe Gallardo with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Dr. Gallardo! ¡Felicidades!

And congratulations also to the other 31 Latinx faculty members who, through their cutting-edge scholarship, transformational leadership, and interdisciplinary activism, fundamentally contribute to the University’s vision of educating a diverse student body, discovering timely solutions to the world’s most complex problems, and enriching the lives of people throughout our community.

¡Felicidades a todos y a todas! Congratulations on a well-deserved recognition.

To learn more about the 4th Annual Latinx Faculty Recognition honorees, click here.

Coming up: Virtual workshop “Research Funding through NIH Diversity Supplements” for students

Grad Student & Post-doc (Virtual) Workshop: Research Funding through NIH Diversity Supplements

Thursday, May 28, 2020 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM

Flyer: RSVP_DivSuppl_StudentWS_FINAL

Where do I register?

https://tinyurl.com/yan7s5da

How do I join the workshop?

Join Zoom Meeting: https://washington.zoom.us/j/99773371716

Meeting ID: 997 7337 1716

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,99773371716# US (Tacoma)

+16692192599,,99773371716# US (San Jose)

What are Diversity Supplements?

Diversity supplements are awards of additional funds to a faculty member’s ongoing NIH grant to support a student’s research project and career development. They are intended to help foster a diverse student body and future health/science workforce. Supplements provide students with funding for research, professional development and academic support (tuition, stipend, benefits), with funding available for up to 5 years.

Who should attend?

This virtual workshop is intended for eligible (details below) graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, interested in transitioning to independent researchers. Undergraduates that are interested in attending graduate school in the near future, may also attend.

Who is eligible to apply for NIH Diversity Supplements?

US citizens who self-identify as being part of an underrepresented racial/ethnic minority, individuals with  disabilities, or individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. For comprehensive information on the various ways to be eligible for this opportunity, please visit NIH’s Diversity Matters: Get the Facts page.

How much support do they provide students?

Diversity Supplements may provide up to 5 years of funding, which includes additional research funds, tuition, stipend and health insurance, so that you can focus on your coursework and research project.

What information will the workshop provide?

Presentation Overview:

  • New Eligibility Criteria
  • Funding for tuition, stipend, benefits & more
  • Finding a Faculty Mentor and Project
  • Application Components
  • Process/Timeline

Breakout Sessions:

  • Perspectives from faculty and students who have been awarded at various career levels
  • Tips and lessons learned for successful applications

Who is supporting this workshop?

UW School of Public Health, School of Medicine (CEDI), Latino Center for Health, Center for AIDS Research, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP), Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMAD), Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute.

Now available: Video recording of “How to Develop Successful NIH Diversity Supplements for Faculty”

The recording of this informative workshop is now available! Watch the videos to learn about the purpose and benefits of applying for NIH Diversity Supplements, new eligibility criteria, and components of a successful application.

Full workshop recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCyPs01ISiM&feature=youtu.be

Presentation by Lynn Morin, NIH Project Officer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG-QRzYaD8k&feature=youtu.be

***

What are Diversity Supplements?

Diversity Supplements are administrative grants that tie into existing NIH grants held by faculty. They directly align with the UW Diversity Blueprint, increasing a diverse student body and future workforce. Supplements provide additional funding for research, professional development and academic support (i.e., tuition, stipend and health insurance), with funding available for up to 4 years.

Latino Center for Health turns six years old!

On April 17th 2014, Group Health Research Institute in collaboration with the University of Washington Institute for Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) convened the inaugural regional Latino Health Conference in Seattle, Washington. Over one hundred community stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers from across the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) region gathered to discuss the most important health issues impacting Latinos, the primary goal being to develop a research agenda for a Center whose singular focus would be to advance the health and wellbeing of Latino communities locally and regionally.

And thus, the Latino Center for Health was born. A reception following the conference celebrated the inception of this innovative, timely Center. Dr. Gino Aisenberg, Associate Professor at the UW School of Social Work, and Dr. Leo Morales, Chief Diversity Officer and Professor at the UW School of Medicine, were named Co-Directors of the Center.

This moment set the stage for what ensued afterward–six years of engaging Latino communities through authentic partnership-building, interdisciplinary scholarship, and translational research.

We at the Latino Center for Health are grateful for being entrusted to do this work and hope to continue to do so for years to come. ¡Muchas gracias a todxs por su apoyo durante todos estos años!