Latinos influence every aspect of the medical field, from doctors to physical therapists, to assistants. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to highlight a few of the Latino healthcare workers helping nuestra gente….
He’s a rapper by day, and also a doctor by day. During the coronavirus pandemic, PJ Sin Suela has returned to his hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico to focus on medicine. But he still finds time for his music. In his song, “Mírame,” PJ Sin Suela reflects on his experience as a health professional during the pandemic and pays tribute to the lives lost from coronavirus.
Jessica González-Rojas has stood up for underserved communities as the executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. Growing up in a Paraguayan and Puerto Rican home taught her to push for issues that are important to immigrant communities and women. She’s now running for New York State Assembly, and hopes to continue fighting for essential workers during the pandemic.
Vincent Guilamo-Ramos is an HIV/AIDS registered nurse, licensed clinical social worker, professor at New York University and founder of the Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health. He encourages Latino families to talk openly about their health, especially sexual health. “The wellbeing of Latinos will be critical to the health and social welfare of the U.S.,” said Guilamo-Ramos.
Nurse Ruby Martinez was recently awarded the 2020 Latino Legacy Award from the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Ruby is a psychiatric nurse and professor in Castle Rock, Colorado. She’s worked in mental health for 25 years and volunteers caring for dogs at her local animal shelter.
Bertha Diaz is a dental assistant at the Native American Health Center in California, where she helps provide healthcare to Native communities who are often disproportionately affected by disease. Bertha was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She’s proud of being a Mexican American and for the chance to help people every day.
We’re grateful to these and all the rest of our gente working in the medical field during this tough time.
