Phyllis Gutiérrez-Kenney Graduate Student Scholars Fellowship Program
The Latino Center for Health (LCH) is investing $40,000 annually to develop a new generation of leaders who will respond to current and emerging health issues faced by the diverse Latinx/e communities in our state. In the six years that the Fellowship has existed, we have supported and mentored approximately 87 graduate student scholars and invested over $465,500 cumulatively with the match contribution of our educational partners (the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, and Heritage University). This graduate student fellowship supports student scholars and also promotes a path towards collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts aimed at promoting the health and well-being of the Latinx/e community.
“The shortage of bilingual and bicultural health professionals in our state is pronounced. The Latino Center for Health is staunchly committed to helping expand the state’s health professions pipeline by supporting the next generation of leaders and scholars who are doing excellent work to promote the health and wellbeing of our state’s Latinx communities,” commented Dr. Gino Aisenberg, associate professor in the UW School of Social Work and co-director of LCH. “It’s also a great opportunity for recipients of this fellowship, many of whom are first-generation students, to connect with students from other disciplines and schools as well as with faculty and staff of the Center.”
This opportunity is offered annually to cohorts of up to 16 graduate or professional students who demonstrate a commitment to improving the health of Latinx communities with a $2,500 fellowship, matched by the schools, for a total fellowship of $5,000. Funds are disbursed throughout both the winter and spring quarters. Fellowships are awarded to nominees identified through the Deans/Presidents/Chancellors of the respective programs of study to one or two students from UW Seattle Schools of Health Science, UW Bothell, UW Tacoma, Heritage University (a designated Hispanic Serving Institution), Washington State University, and Eastern Washington University.
Please note: The respective schools select their awardee, not LCH. If you are interested in being named as a recipient of this Fellowship, you need to contact the dean of your school.
2026 Phyllis Gutiérrez-Kenney Graduate Student Scholars Fellowship
Congratulations to our 7th Annual Phyllis Gutiérrez-Kenney Graduate Student Scholars Fellowship 2026 Recipients.
An outstanding cohort of 15 graduate students in health sciences programs across the campuses of the University of Washington, Heritage University, Eastern Washington University, and Washington State University were selected as recipients of the Latino Center for Health 7th Annual Phyllis Gutiérrez-Kenney Graduate Student Scholars Fellowship Program.
This fellowship program plays an important role in helping meet the demand for Latinx and Spanish-speaking healthcare workers in WA state by providing crucial financial and community support and programmatic activities to graduate students in the health sciences.
“This fellowship is about more than financial support. It is about opening doors for students who are often the first in their families to walk this path. It is about mentorship, about building a statewide network of peers, and about ensuring that our healthcare workforce truly reflects the communities it serves.”
The graduate student cohort selected for the 2025-2026 Fellowship program is:
- Alejandra Silva Hernández, University of Washington, School of Medicine
- Briseida Ayala, University of Washington, School of Medicine
- Edgar Gomez, University of Washington, School of Dentistry
- Eric Corona, Eastern Washington University, College of Health Science & Public Health
- Iris Gonzalez Hernandez, University of Washington, School of Social Work
- Jackson D Gilmour, University of Washington, School of Pharmacy
- Janay Mendez, Heritage University School of Social Work
- Liza Diaz, University of Washington Bothell, School of Nursing & Health Studies
- Madison Arreola, Washington State University, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
- Magali Sanchez, University of Washington, School of Public Health
- Paula Martinez-Feduchi, University of Washington, School of Medicine
- Prarthana Durvas Kumaresan, University of Washington Tacoma, School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
- Rosario Jazmin Ruiz Gonzalez, University of Washington, School of Nursing
- Shirley Mendez, University of Washington, School of Social Work
- Victor Polanco Vargas, University of Washington, School of Public Health
“The recipients of the Latino Center for Health Graduate Student Scholars Fellowship Program are the future leaders of Latinx communities in our state and region,” added Dr. Leo Morales, Professor and Assistant Dean of the UW School of Medicine and co-director of the LCH. “They are the most important aspect of the Latino Center for Health’s aspirations and vision.”