Latina musical artist MONA aka Camila Ugarte gave a joyful and high-energy performance. 
The Office of Healthcare Equity and Office of Faculty affairs proudly sponsored the Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows and the Latino Medical Student Association as they co-hosted the first National Latino Physician Day at UW Medicine. 
OHCE’s Director of Community Engagement, Nora Coronado, receiving the Manuel Barron Impact Award for her commitment to mentoring and centering the needs of the Hispanic/Latinx community to ensure that everyone has the necessary educational access to achieving a thriving career in a STEM field. 
Dr. Zaballa became faculty at Swedish Cherry Hill Family Medicine in 2022 and serves as the current Sea Mar site director. She spoke to how identity shaped her professional trajectory in medicine and the importance of representation in medicine to provide culturally competent care. 
Dr. Gamboa is a Professor Emeritus of the Department of American Ethnic Studies at UW. Gamboa’s research and publications are focused on the history of Latinx in the Pacific Northwest, and his speech focused on the influence of Hispanic/Latinx communities in Seattle. 
National Latino Physician Day’s mission is to address the Latinx physician shortage crisis and improve the quality of care for the Latinx patient population in the U.S. by increasing the number of Latinx physicians who provide culturally and linguistically concordant care. 
Dr. Morales is a Professor of Medicine, Assistant Dean for Healthcare Equity, and Affiliate Professor of Public Health and Social Work at UW. He also co-directs the UW Latino Center for Health, a state-funded, community-engaged research center. Dr. Morales spoke to current health inequities that Hispanic/Latinx people face in the medical system as patients, providers, and as students. 
This past Hispanic/Latinx Heritage month was filled with vibrant celebrations honoring the contributions of Hispanic/Latinx people across UW Medicine and the broader community with the celebration of National Latino Physician Day.
This past Hispanic/Latinx Heritage month was filled with vibrant celebrations honoring the contributions of Hispanic/Latinx people across UW Medicine and the broader community. The Office of Healthcare Equity and Office of Faculty affairs proudly sponsored the Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows and the Latino Medical Student Association as they co-hosted the first National Latino Physician Day at UW Medicine. National Latino Physician Day’s mission is to address the Latinx physician shortage crisis and improve the quality of care for the Latinx patient population in the U.S. by increasing the number of Latinx physicians who provide culturally and linguistically concordant care.
Dr. Michael Silva, president of NURF, and Lessly Torres, current UW medical student, collaborated to highlight Hispanic/Latinx Medical professionals in a night of powerful storytelling and rich local Seattle history. Speakers included Dr. Alexandra Zaballa, Dr. Erasmo Gamboa, and Dr. Leo S. Morales. Dr. Zaballa became faculty at Swedish Cherry Hill Family Medicine in 2022 and serves as the current Sea Mar site director. She spoke to how identity shaped her professional trajectory in medicine and the importance of representation in medicine to provide culturally competent care. Dr. Gamboa is a Professor Emeritus of the Department of American Ethnic Studies at UW. Gamboa’s research and publications are focused on the history of Latinx in the Pacific Northwest, and his speech focused on the influence of Hispanic/Latinx communities in Seattle. He stays active in retirement through supporting several organizations, including the Sea Mar Community Health Center and the Sea Mar Latino Museum. Dr. Morales is a Professor of Medicine, Assistant Dean for Healthcare Equity, and Affiliate Professor of Public Health and Social Work at UW. He also co-directs the UW Latino Center for Health, a state-funded, community-engaged research center. Dr. Morales spoke to current health inequities that Hispanic/Latinx people face in the medical system as patients, providers, and as students. His commitment to improving Latino Health outcomes and his leadership was recognized in 2023 with the Washington State Public Health Association Secretary’s Award and in 2021 with Washington State Medical Association Grassroots Advocate Award.
Additional highlights of the evening included OHCE’s Director of Community Engagement, Nora Coronado, receiving the Manuel Barron Impact Award for her commitment to mentoring and centering the needs of the Hispanic/Latinx community to ensure that everyone has the necessary educational access to achieving a thriving career in a STEM field. Latina musical artist MONA aka Camila Ugarte gave a joyful and high-energy performance, and local restaurant MAIZ provided delicious, authentic Mexican catering.
Over the course of the evening, new connections were made, old connections reignited, and inspirational energy spread throughout. At UW Medicine we remain deeply committed to amplifying the authentic and diverse voices of everyone who lends their excellence and warmth to our organization.
