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!