Each year, from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
This time is for recognizing the rich history, culture, and contributions of people from Hispanic and Latino backgrounds. Many people in the United States have ancestors from places like Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. In fact, one in six people in the U.S. is Hispanic, and this number is expected to grow. At Pillar Health and Kenosha Community Health Center (KCHC), we are proud to serve a diverse community in Southeast Wisconsin, and this month is a great time to celebrate the impact of Hispanic and Latino Americans in healthcare.
HISPANIC AND LATINO HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE HELPED MAKE BIG ADVANCES IN MEDICINE AND HEALTH
Here are some important people we honor for their work in healthcare:
- Dr. Luis Walter Alvarez: He won a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1968 and helped develop the machine used to treat cancer with radiation.
- Dr. Juan Carlos Finlay y de Barrés: In 1881, he was the first to suggest that mosquitoes spread yellow fever, helping people understand how diseases are passed.
- Dr. Antonia Novello: In 1990, Dr. Novello became the first woman and the first Hispanic to be the Surgeon General of the United States, helping guide public health decisions.
- Dr. Severo Ochoa: He won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1959 for discovering an enzyme that helps make RNA, which was a big step in understanding how genes work.
- Dr. Richard Carmona: As Surgeon General of the U.S., he warned about the dangers of secondhand smoke, helping protect public health.
- Dr. Ana Maria Cuervo: Her research has helped us understand diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Dr. Gloria Ramirez-Gonzalez: She has worked to improve nursing care for patients with long-term illnesses.
- Dr. Ana Núñez: She is a doctor who has helped people understand why it’s important for healthcare workers to understand different cultures.
- Dr. Luis H. Zayas: He has focused on helping young Latinos and improving their mental health care.
- Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor: In 2018, she became the first Hispanic doctor to go into space, doing important research on the International Space Station.
These healthcare leaders remind us why diversity is so important. They have made healthcare better for everyone and are an inspiration to us all.
BE THE SOURCE FOR BETTER HEALTH
This year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the theme, “Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections.” This theme asks us to think about how the different cultures, environments, and experiences of Hispanic and Latino people affect their health. These factors are called social determinants of health.
Some challenges that Hispanic and Latino people face in health include:
- Delaying medical care because of cost
- Not having strong social support
- Not having enough food
At Pillar Health and KCHC, we work to provide caring, fair, and culturally safe healthcare to help address these challenges. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the important contributions of Hispanic and Latino healthcare professionals and continue our mission to serve our community with high-quality care.
Do not wait to schedule your appointment.
Kenosha Community Health Center has many appointment options in Kenosha and Silver Lake to meet your needs.
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