Shared by Evelyn I. Grijalva Martine (she/her/ella)   

Research Coordinator

University of Washington | School of Public Health

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In the summer of 2025, I had the privilege of nominating Dr. Leo Morales for an Outstanding Preceptor Award. This award recognizes a preceptor who made a positive impact during the dietetic training. This is a supervised training that must be completed to sit for the registered dietitian exam. Dr. Morales served as one of my preceptors during my dietetic internship-public health rotation, and his mentorship had a meaningful impact on my training.

From the moment I joined the UW Latino Center for Health (LCH), he created a welcoming and inclusive environment that made me feel supported and part of a team dedicated to advancing health equity for the Latine community. In my nomination, I highlighted the generosity and humility he brought to his leadership. Under his guidance, I gained confidence working on interdisciplinary projects and contributing to culturally responsive materials such as the nutrition booklet I developed for LCH. 

Additionally, I highlighted observing Dr. Morales at the Latinx diabetes clinic where I learned so much about diabetes care, patient-centered communication, and the importance of culturally responsive practice. His ability to connect with patients and advocate for community-centered care was inspiring.

Overall, Dr. Morales modeled the type of leadership, professionalism, and compassion I hope to carry forward in my own career. Nominating him for the Outstanding Preceptor Award reflected the profound impact he had on my growth as a dietetic intern and soon to be registered dietitian.