CYPRESS, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Seventy-seven Spanish-speaking bicultural students were each awarded scholarships by the United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation to pursue educational opportunities leading to careers in the health care industry.
The scholarships are offered on behalf of the Latino Health Scholars Program to educate students about career opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos in the health care field. In order to qualify for a scholarship, applicants were required to show proof of acceptance and enrollment into an approved health care program at a university, community college or accredited technical college.
According to the Office of Minority Health, there is a nationwide shortage of bilingual and bicultural professionals in the health care field. Specifically, the shortage of Spanish-speaking personnel in nursing and other allied health professions, coupled with the growth of the Latino population in the United States, requires training and recruitment of an ever-greater number of qualified professionals.
"Nationwide, many Latinos do not have access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care, and this has a far-reaching effect on their health and quality of life," said Russell Bennett, vice president of Latino Health Solutions at UnitedHealthcare. "Studies show that patients respond better when care instructions are delivered in their own language and their cultural background is taken into account. The academic excellence and passion for helping others exemplified by this year's scholarship winners we feel will make a tremendous impact in serving the health care needs of Latinos."
Seventy-five students across the country as well as from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were each awarded $2,000 scholarships. In addition, Hilda Cerritos of North Hollywood, Calif., and Natalia Rojas of Arlington, Texas, each received a $25,000 Freedom Award.
The Freedom Award, established last year, is a $50,000 grant given annually in honor of individuals and organizations that, according to Bennett, "have demonstrated tremendous sacrifice and commitment to make a positive difference in our communities."
This year, the Freedom Award winners were selected by a panel of renowned professionals from the health care, educational and publishing fields including: Elena Rios, M.D., president and CEO of The National Hispanic Medical Association and The National Hispanic Health Foundation; Dr. Leobardo Estrada, member of the AARP board of directors; Lupita Colmenero, president of the National Association of Hispanic Publishers and publisher of El Hispano News; Robert Bard, president and CEO of LATINA Style Magazine; Adela Gonzalez, Ph.D., MPA, vice president of Strategic & Institutional Affairs at the University of North Texas Health Science Center; Britt Rios-Ellis, Ph.D., director of the Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation and Leadership Training at California State University, Long Beach; Xochitl Castaneda, director of the California Mexico Health Initiative, California Policy Research Center at the University of California Office of the President; and Lissette Freire, director, Multicultural Product Management, Ovations.
"On behalf of all my colleagues on the Freedom Award selection panel, we were very impressed by the caliber and maturity of all the applicants," said Dr. Elena Rios. "As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we feel gratified that we have made a positive difference in the lives of these deserving youths who are beginning their journey toward realizing their academic and professional aspirations."
Since the Latino Health Scholars Program was launched in 2003, more than $550,000 in scholarships has been awarded to deserving students. More information about this year's Latino Health Scholars program is available at www.uhclatino.com.
About United Health Foundation
United Health Foundation is an independent not-for-profit foundation solely funded by UnitedHealth Group. The Foundation provides information to physicians and other health professionals, individuals and communities to support health and medical decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. For further information, please visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Complete list of 2006 scholarship winners attached. A separate announcement regarding the two Freedom Award winners will follow.
United Health Foundation & PacifiCare Foundation
------------------------------------------------
Latino Health Scholars Program
2006 Scholarship Winners
(listed by each winner's home state, or * country)
NAME RESIDENCE COLLEGE MAJOR
==== ========= ======= =====
Arizona
-------
Nancy Esparza Douglas University of General Biology
Arizona (Pre-Med)
Elena Fernandez Gilbert University of Nursing
Arizona
Justin Lopez Phoenix Arizona State Biology
University
Mayra Valenzuela Tucson University of Biology/Spanish
Arizona
California
----------
Erika Alcaraz San Jose Humboldt State Nursing
University
Elva Campos-Layme Perris UCLA Pre-Med/
Mathematics
Paola Castro Pittsburgh UCLA Biochemistry
Marly De Gracia Oceanside San Diego State Biology
University
Christine Epperson Long Beach USC Biophysics
Sarah Esper Ramona UC San Diego Pre-Med
Brittany Fernandez West Covina UC San Diego Human Biology
Julissa Florido Santa Ana UCLA Biology
Franklin Garcia Corona UC Irvine Biological
Sciences
Sara Garcia-Salas Glendale CSU Los Angeles Nursing
Mickey Gonzalez Watsonville UC Davis Biology
Alejandra Gonzalez Bishop UC Santa Cruz Psychology
Yadir Guerrero San Ysidro Massachusetts Biological
Institute of Engineering
Technology
Sandra Hernandez Bellflower UC Irvine Psychology
Rosibel Hernandez Canoga Park Yale University Biology
Maribel Martinez Oceanside UC San Diego Biology
Diana Meza So. Lake Humboldt State Nursing
Tahoe University
Griselda Morales Oceanside CSU San Marcos Pre-Med
Zaira Ortega-Orejel Lodi St. Mary's College Pre-Med
Janette Ramirez La Puente UC Irvine Biological
Sciences
Ebert Reyes Sonoma Cal Poly Biology
San Luis Obispo
Mayra Ruiz-Cabrera Sacramento UC Davis Neurobiology-
Physiology
Vanessa Santillan Soledad UC Davis Biological
Sciences
Lillybeth Solorio Sacramento Dominican University Biology
Jennifer Tan San UC Davis Neurology,
Francisco Physiology,
Behavior
Synuhe Uribe Anaheim UC Berkeley Pre-Med
Christina Velasco Monterey CSU Long Beach Biology
Park
Colorado
--------
Jorge Gonzalez Wheat Ridge Metropolitan State Biology
College of Denver
Karla Ramos Commerce University of Psychology
City Colorado
Connecticut
-----------
Jennifer Galvez Stamford Georgetown Pre-Med
University
* Dominican Republic
--------------------
Francina Collado Santo Pace University Pre-Med
Domingo
Florida
-------
Eileen Acosta Miramar Miami Dade College Science
Jessica Alarcon Miami University of Nursing
Florida
Pedro Martinez Coral University of Health Science
de Ozaba Springs Florida
Valerie Valero Plantation University of Miami Biology
(Pre-Med)
Illinois
--------
Jasmine Solis Hanover Park University of Pre-Med,
Illinois Biology
Maryland
--------
Frarahnaz Rockville Catholic University Nursing
Hassanshahi of America
Oliver Ventura Greenbelt Towson University Psychology
Michigan
--------
Carmen Ramirez St. Johns Michigan State Pre-Med
University
Nevada
------
Cecilia Cuadra Las Vegas High Tech Surgical
Institute, Arizona Technology
New Jersey
----------
Claire Mendez New Seton Hall Pre-Med
Brunswick University
Alison Morel Passale Montclair State Biology
University
Jairo Sierra Passale Montclair State Biology
University
New Mexico
----------
David Saldana Los Lunas University of Pre-Med/
New Mexico Chemistry
New York
--------
Joleiny Gonell New York Manhattan College Radiation
Therapy
Ohio
----
Ronald Tisdale Perrysburg Stanford University Biology
Oregon
------
Beatrice Pascual Beaverton Portland Community Nursing
College
Yesenia Valdez Hood River Oregon State Pre-Dentistry
University
* Puerto Rico
-------------
Stephanie San Juan College of Biology
Garayalde Holy Cross
South Carolina
--------------
Camila Rock Hill Charleston Southern Biology
Morales-Railey University
Tennessee
---------
Abraham Pabon Smyrna Middle Tennessee Pre-Med
State University
Laura Ruiz Murfreesboro Middle Tennessee Medicine
State University
Texas
-----
Gerardo Ayala San Antonio University of Psychology
Texas
Lillyann Berrones Richmond Houston Baptist Nursing
University
Montserrat Calvo Bryan Texas A&M Psychology
University
Arselia Gonzalez Haltom Concord University Medical
Assisting
Giovanna Hernandez Lubbock Texas Tech Psychology
University
Ruth Martinez Waxahachie Navarro College Nursing
Andrea Pavia Austin St. Edward's Pre-Med
University
Priscilla Rocha Brownsville University of Texas Biology
at Brownsville
Dalila Rosas Fort Worth Texas Wesleyan Pre-Med
University
Everardo Silva San Antonio St. Mary's Biology
University
Rebeca San Antonio Texas A&M University Genetics
Vendrell-Velez
Andrea Wiener El Paso Texas A&M University Pre-Med
Utah
----
Maria Gil Ogden Weber State Health
University Administration
Services
Michael Heyn Lehi Brigham Young Financing
University
Virginia
--------
Blanca Reinaltt Fairfax George Washington Chemistry/
Station University Pre-Med
Washington
----------
Luis Acevedo Granite University of Molecular
Falls Washington Biology
Melissa Baker Issaquah Brigham Young Exercise
University Science
Elgar Calderon Mountlake Shoreline Community Pre-Med
Terrace College
Jae Sin Woodbridge University of Biology
Virginia
2006 Freedom Award Winners
--------------------------
Hilda Cerritos North UC San Diego Bioengineering
Hollywood,
Calif.
Natalia Rojas Arlington, University of Texas Nursing
Texas at Arlington
SOURCE United Health Foundation