National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually observed from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic culture to the nation's achievements, culture, and history.
Pictured (clockwise from top left): Carlos J. Finlay, Bernardo Alberto Houssay, Antonia Novello, Severo Ochoa, Helen Rodríguez Trías.
Latino, Hispanic, or of Spanish Origin+ Identified Student Leaders in Medicine
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This book explores the rich history and current state of the Latina, Latino, Latinx, Latine, Hispanic, or of Spanish Origin+ (LHS+) community's representation, activism, and leadership within American medicine. It meets the demand for a reference that highlights both the underrepresentation and growth of the LHS+ community in medicine, especially as the LHS+ population now represents the largest non-white ethnic group in the United States. It examines the LHS+ community's unique health issues and disparities, its ongoing efforts to address such health issues, and its approaches and challenges to developing generations of physicians and healthcare leaders. An Open-Access reference and Sustainable Development Goals Series volume, this book serves as an informative and inspirational resource for educational programming, drafting of policies and procedures, and institutional strategic planning. Across 16 chapters, LHS+ community members and leaders share their unique experiences in pursuing medical careers, using compelling narratives crafted to inspire more LHS+-identified college students to become healthcare professionals and leaders themselves. Additionally, chapters describe several ways in which non-LHS+ identified colleagues can better prepare themselves and their respective institutions to advance health equity for LHS+ communities, support LHS+ learners at all stages of medical education, and bolster current and future LHS+ faculty and senior academic leaders. Latino,Hispanic, or of Spanish Origin+ Identified Student Leaders in Medicine: Recognizing More Than 50 Years of Presence, Activism, and Leadership is a unique and timely book meant to unite and empower current and future physicians through service, mentorship, and education for the benefit of historically underserved communities in the U.S. and beyond.
Duty Calls
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Follow the remarkable journey of a trailblazing American leader, Dr. Antonia Novello, the first woman and the first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Antonia Novello is a vanguard in the United States and Puerto Rico, whose enduring commitment to service has left an indelible mark on the world of public health. With a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, including serving as the US Surgeon General and the New York State Commissioner of Health during 9/11, her story highlights an unwavering dedication to improving the well-being of individuals and communities.  Dr. Novello's story is one of challenges faced and overcome, of resilience and perseverance, and of shattering glass ceilings and opening doors for future generations of leaders. With honesty and openness, she shares her early battles with childhood illness and her desire to overcome stereotypes, while also chronicling her meteoric rise through various roles in the field of health care, leading to her service as the nation's top medical officer. From her struggles to her celebrations to her tireless advocacy for the health of young people, each chapter offers a glimpse into the resilience and wisdom that have shaped her life, unveiling the profound lessons she has gathered along the way. In Duty Calls, readers will learn about: Dr. Novello's early life and her struggles with congenital megacolon Her medical school and internship experiences How she became the first female/first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Novello's work as the New York State Commissioner of Health during 9/11 Her efforts to vaccinate and provide health care resources to her home in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria Wisdom and insights Dr. Novello gained through her life experiences, as well as her advice for the next generation (and everyone else!)
Becoming Dr. Q
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The inspiring story of a young Mexican immigrant who became a renowned neurosurgeon. Today he is known as Dr. Q, an internationally renowned neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who leads cutting-edge research to cure brain cancer. But not too long ago, he was Freddy, a 19-year-old undocumented migrant worker toiling in the tomato fields of Central California. In this gripping memoir, Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa tells his amazing life story - from his impoverished childhood in the tiny village of Palaco, Mexico, to his harrowing border crossing and his transformation from undocumented immigrant to American citizen and gifted student at the University of California at Berkeley and at Harvard Medical School. Packed with adventure and adversity - including a few terrifying brushes with death - Becoming Dr. Q is a testament to persistence, hard work, the power of hope and imagination, and the pursuit of excellence. It's also a story about the importance of family, of mentors, and of giving people a chance.
¡un Doctor Por Favor!
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*****B&W PAPERBACK VERSION***** Authored by a Hispanic doctor and scientist, ¡Un Doctor, Por Favor! was inspired by a Hispanic student who was told by her school counselor that she was "not college material." This real-life story, which is followed in the book, is but one example of the difficulties faced by young Hispanics trying to enter the medical field. ¡Un Doctor, Por Favor! provides an overview of the complex health and educational challenges faced by Hispanics in the U.S., and presents it both by the numbers-aggregating current research in an understandable format-and beyond the numbers through real people's struggles and successes. The book contains stories of Hispanic physicians who have achieved their goals despite the difficulties. Their stories illustrate what can be achieved with courage and perseverance. Most other books that address the lack of diversity in medicine are directed to educators, demographers, researchers, and policymakers. This book presents information in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. It includes more than 50 graphs and illustrations, a glossary, and more than 350 references. Each chapter features an "online resources" section with dozens of links to relevant websites on Hispanic demographics, information about underrepresented minorities in medicine, and advice for students who are interested in a career in medicine but do not know where to start or need to pursue an alternative path to medical education. Each chapter also contains a "key takeaways" section that summarizes the entire chapter in a few bullet points. Finally, the book highlights the remarkable progress in educational attainment that the Hispanic population has made over time, demonstrating that success is possible. ¡Un Doctor, Por Favor! provides answers to these questions and many more: What are the origins of the terms "Hispanic," "Latino" and "Latinx"? How do Hispanics identify themselves and what factors influence Hispanic racial identity? How does the U.S. Census define and count the Hispanic population? How many Hispanics live in the U.S. and how many go to medical school? Why is there a shortage of Hispanic physicians in the U.S.? What are the risk factors for low educational attainment among Hispanics? How early in the educational journey do the disparities begin? Is there racial bias in standardized testing? This book presents information in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. It includes more than 50 graphs and illustrations, a glossary, and more than 350 references. Each chapter features an "online resources" section with dozens of links to relevant websites on Hispanic demographics, information about underrepresented minorities in medicine, and advice for students who are interested in a career in medicine but do not know where to start or need to pursue an alternative path to medical education. Each chapter also contains a "key takeaways" section that summarizes the entire chapter in a few bullet points. Finally, the book highlights the remarkable progress in educational attainment that the Hispanic population has made over time, demonstrating that success is possible.
The Weight of the White Coat
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Little has been written about Latina/o physicians as students, people, or workers in a high-skill occupation in the United States. The Weight of the White Coat traces the life stages that Latina/o physicians follow and the social mechanisms that shape their careers, from the role of the family to different educational trajectories and even the practice of medicine. Glenda M. Flores turns a careful eye to this diverse pan-ethnic group in an elite profession, observing how demographic characteristics such as gender and ethnicity act like cumulative weights in their coat pockets, producing hindrances for some and elevating others as they provide care in poor and wealthy communities. Here, the high occupational status of Latina/o doctors offers a unique lens for examining the varied experiences of physicianhood and the still unsettled contours of Latinidad.
