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 73 graduate student scholars and invested over $365,000 cumulatively with the match contribution of our educational partners (the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, Heritage University, and Western Washington University). This graduate student fellowship supports student scholars and also promotes a path towards collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts aimed at promoting the health and wellbeing 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, Eastern Washington University, and Western 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.
Congratulations to our 6th Annual Graduate Student Scholars Fellowship 2025 Recipients
An outstanding cohort of 16 graduate students in health sciences programs across the campuses of the University of Washington, Heritage University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, and Western Washington University were selected as recipients of the Latino Center for Health 6th Annual 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 program provides crucial funding to students,” says Dr. Gino Aisenberg.
The graduate student cohort selected for the 2024-2025 Fellowship program is:
- Jenni Martinez-Lorenzo, University of Washington, School of Social Work
- Diana Alvarez, University of Washington, School of Social Work
- Miriam Flores Moreno, University of Washington, School of Public Health
- Daphne Gallegos Klinefelter, University of Washington, School of Public Health
- Floridel Jimenez, University of Washington, School of Medicine
- Ana Espindola Garzon, University of Washington, School of Medicine
- Malik Williams, University of Washington, School of Pharmacy
- Rudi Mondragon, University of Washington, School of Nursing
- Alexis Herrera, University of Washington, School of Dentistry
- Jacqueline Anastasia Richards, University of Washington Bothell
- Maria Garcia-Toche, University of Washington Tacoma
- Tanya Valdenea, Eastern Washington University, Spokane
- Sonia Allende, Heritage University, Toppenish
- Jesus Mendoza, Washington State University, Spokane
- Lizeth Vizcaino-Sandoval, Western Washington University, Bellingham
- Ellen Esteves, Western Washington University, Bellingham
“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.”