Hispanic Heritage Month Zoom Background [PNG]
Hispanic Heritage Month - Learning Resource Sheet
This is a time to commemorate and celebrate the rich and diverse culture, traditions, histories, and important contributions of Hispanic individuals. Hispanic Heritage Month also provides an opportunity to educate everyone about Latina/o/x/e, Hispanic, or Spanish Origin + identified communities and raise awareness about their unique historical and current challenges.
If you would like to submit any events for Hispanic Heritage Month, please SUBMIT HERE and we will publicize on this page, through our mailing lists, and on social media!
WHEN: Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 12:00PM - 1:00PM MST
WHERE: Online on Zoom
Join Anna M. Nogar, PhD, UNM Professor of Hispanic Southwest Studies in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, as she discusses with us how she recovers the silenced voices of the Southwest through her research within Nuevomexicano writing and culture; colonial Mexican literature; Mexican American cultural and literary studies; and community oral history. Dr. Nogar currently serves as the Associate Dean for Humanities and Interdisciplinary Units in the College of Arts and Sciences.
WHEN: Friday, October 3, 2025, 11:00AM - 12:00PM MST
WHERE: Online on Zoom
This talk, facilitated by Dr. Jesse Alemán, discusses how we can understand archival research as an algebraic problem, so to speak, that solves for the missing variables of what I call our “Archive X”: the unknown values of nineteenth-century US Latinx identity formation that continue to shape our lives and literatures. The talk uses archival material to map the transformation of US Latinx identities during the nineteenth-century, especially the Civil War years, which raised issues of language, acculturation, racialization, and assimilation for first-generation of Mexican and Cuban Americans. We’ll focus on personal letters that mark the struggle of learning English; photos, proclamations, and other print pieces that complicate the racial formation of US latinidades in the space between Indigenous and Black peoples; and archival matter that marks the emergence of modern US Latinx identities. The presentation will consider the challenges of searching for a Hispanic “heritage” in the archive and the analytical methodologies that must be leveraged to find what the archive hides about Latinx lives and writings.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 11:00AM - 1:00PM
WHERE: Lawn area in front of HSLIC
Celebrate and learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month with UNM Health Sciences while partaking in delicious Hispanic-inspired dishes from around the world!
We invite and encourage all members of our HSC community to share a dish by filling out our Potluck Sign Up Form.
All submissions due by Friday, October 3rd!
Questions? Reach out to us at hsc-diversity@salud.unm.edu.
Hispanic Heritage Month Zoom Background [PNG]
Hispanic Heritage Month - Learning Resource Sheet
This is a time to commemorate and celebrate the rich and diverse culture, traditions, histories, and important contributions of Hispanic individuals. Hispanic Heritage Month also provides an opportunity to educate everyone about Latina/o/x/e, Hispanic, or Spanish Origin + identified communities and raise awareness about their unique historical and current challenges.
Sponsored by the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at UNM School of Medicine
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024
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Sponsored by the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at UNM School of Medicine
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Thursday, October 10, 2024
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This event will honor individuals who have exhibited clinical, research, educational, community engaged, and/or DEI related excellence in support of Latina/Latino/Latinx/Latine, Hispanic or Spanish origin communities.
Spanish Language Medical Interpreter
Patient and Family Support Services, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center
Ana worked for nineteen years at the Primary Care First Choice Community Healthcare Clinics as the Coordinator of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and Detection Program with a dual position as a Medical Interpreter. She has dedicated time as a volunteer in the Comadre a Comadre support services for breast cancer diagnosed Hispanic women. Ana is certified as a Medical Interpreter from "Bridging the Gap” Program, and the Cross-Cultural Health Care Program. These experiences contributed to her decision to work for the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Ana’s mother experienced colon cancer which affected her whole life and her family's.
In Ana’s words, she says the following: “Most patients face so much fear and intimidation from a cancer diagnosis and the medical system. It takes a lot of courage for a non-English speaking patient to walk into the Cancer Center without knowing what he/she will be facing and how to communicate. Efficient communication brings trust and understanding between the oncology medical services, the patient and support staff. We all want to do our best job.
“Medical interpreting entails a solid back and forth bridge of understanding during consult sessions, and other procedures and services. Sometimes it’s not easy. Interpreting on what the cancer status is, treatment process or surgeries, symptoms and secondary effects, risks and decision making, result expectations, questions and clarification of cancer myths and misinformation, clinical trials, etc.; all of these issues don’t only entail literal meanings. Its interpretation includes a whole transmission of cultural expressions and levels of registration that any doctor and patient face when trying to work together. Interpretation entails respect, and no interference during the moment of communication.
“New Mexico’s medical healthcare system needs medical interpreters. We live in a very diverse language state. UNM Medical Services is among the few programs that brings this service to their patients.
“UNM CCC Medical Interpreters need emotional support and other activities to help us keep solid. Latino/Chicano/Hispanic music DJing is my hobby and support. Without music, the experiences with cancer patients’ cases would be significantly heavier to process.
“Medical terms and language are infinite. I learn terms every day along with my working colleagues Eusebio Medina and Ruth Gaitan Lopez. I want to thank our supervisor Jill Schulke for her support in this field. I’ll keep bringing my best language and communication skills to serve medical and support staff, patients, and their families.”
Program Operations Director and Health Extension Regional Officer (HERO)
Office for Community Health, Department of Family and Community Medicine
“I have been a community health worker and community health advocate for 28 years. I have extensive knowledge and understanding of public health policy and health systems operation, relating to health equity and social determinants of health. I am a native Spanish speaker, fully bilingual in Spanish and English, and a certified medical interpreter. Because of my skills as an advocate and my expertise in policy, I was appointed to the Healthcare Task Force by the Bernalillo County Commission and to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs and Services by Mayor Jim Baca. I am a member of the International District Healthy Communities Coalition/IDHCC and the UNMH Health Care Task Force. I work with stakeholders: community members, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and policy makers to implement policies and systems to support a healthier New Mexico. I have expertise in culturally competent approaches for working with underserved communities, and in relation to the concerns of the Latino immigrant community. I helped develop a training strategy for Medical Residents and Students to learn about the realities of the lives of patients, the nature of social determinants and how they influence patient health, and how to provide culturally and contextually competent care. In 2013, I was selected to receive the prestigious Public Health Advocate Award from the New Mexico Public Health Association. I was the PI for two PCORI Tier awards with Dr. Janet Page-Reeves as my Co-PI, and the Co-PI for a full PCORI research award and a PCORI supplement with Dr. Page-Reeves as the PI. Currently, I am the Research Director and a peer support group facilitator for the current R01 from the National Institutes of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) with Dr. Page-Reeves as PI. In the current study, we are testing an innovative peer support group approach to reducing depression and social isolation among women immigrants from Mexico. I am very excited to be part of this project to improve lives of women immigrants. From my work in the community over nearly 3 decades, I can attest to the dire need for an intervention that can support immigrant women’s mental health wellbeing outside of a clinic setting. The research we are doing is a game-changer and is pushing the boundaries of what we currently do.”
Health Education Consultant
UNM Center for Development and Disability
Roselyn Cintrón Diaz was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Her early experiences with disability within her family shaped her lifelong passion for community service and inclusivity. Roselyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education and her Master’s degree in Public Health Evaluation and Education from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist with over a decade of experience across diverse settings, including non-profit organizations, insurance, and healthcare management.
For the past four years, Roselyn has served as a Health Education Consultant at the Center for Developmental Disabilities, in a variety of teams focusing on creating accessible, culturally relevant health services.
Counselor and Social Worker
UPC Psychotherapy Clinic
Samantha has worked with diverse populations from different cultural backgrounds and deepened her practice in complex trauma with high acuity individuals by providing individual and group therapy. As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, Samantha values and understands the importance of providing care and access to a wide range of communities. Samantha has experience working in local domestic violence and substance abuse health clinics and currently in psychiatric outpatient and emergency services settings.
Samantha’s professional interests and passion merge in addressing personal and systemic health disparities through skill building and by bringing awareness of the profound and transforming impact that individual and collective healing have on the self, family, community, and overall global health.
Sponsored by the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at UNM School of Medicine
Día de Los Muertos is a time to honor our loved ones who have passed away. 🕯️ Our celebration will include decorating our ofrenda 💐, traditional music 🎶, and food 🍮. We encourage everyone to bring photos or mementos to add to the community altar as we come together in remembrance. 💐
Hispanic Heritage Month Zoom Background [PNG]
This is a time to commemorate and celebrate the rich and diverse culture, traditions, histories, and important contributions of Hispanic individuals. Hispanic Heritage Month also provides an opportunity to educate everyone about Latina/o/x/e, Hispanic, or Spanish Origin + identified communities and raise awareness about their unique historical and current challenges.
Lotería (Spanish word meaning "lottery") is a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead of numbered ping pong balls. Every image has a name and an assigned number, but the number is usually ignored. Each player has at least one tabla, a board with a randomly created 4 x 4 grid of pictures with their corresponding name and number. Players choose a tabla to play with, from a variety of previously created tablas, each with a different selection of images. We welcome learners, faculty, and staff for a night of Lotería.
Sponsored by the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA Chapter - UNM SOM) and Health Sciences Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Topics will include progress and hurdles to developing current and future practitioners to becoming bilingual. Graduate and hospital entities will present on their progress. Students will discuss their perspectives. Community leaders will provide recommendations and suggestions on how they can assist with the development of current and future practitioners.
Learning Objectives:
Sponsored by UNM Health Sciences Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Language Equity Committee.
This event will honor individuals who have exhibited clinical, research, educational, community engaged, and/or DEI related excellence in support of Latina/Latino/Latinx/Latine, Hispanic or Spanish origin communities.
Department of Pediatrics | UNM School of Medicine
Dr. Belmonte is the son of Mexican immigrants. His parents instilled in him the values of community, work ethic and service. He is proudly a product of pipeline programs offered through the HSC Office of Diversity. These programs strengthened his desire to serve his community, specifically as a medical provider. He completed his undergraduate degree and medical school at the University of New of Mexico and his pediatrics residency and chief resident year at Phoenix Children's Hospital. He has been on faculty with the Department of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine since 2015. He has focused his career at the intersection of education and equity. He has sought out professional development in education through programs like the American Academy of Pediatrics Advancing Pediatric Educator Excellence Program, UNM HSC Medical Education Scholars Program and Excellence in Clinical Teaching Program, in order to apply best practices in his evaluation of learners, a step crucial in bringing equity to our medical education system. He has completed the ACGME Equity Matters Program in order to strengthen his skills in building inclusive spaces. He currently runs a longitudinal curriculum within the Pediatrics Residency known as Evidenced-Based Medicine for Equity. Dr Belmonte is currently the Director of Career Advisement for the UNM School of Medicine Office of Medical Student Affairs. In this role he strives to make all students regardless of their background feel welcome within the School of Medicine.
Community Support Worker
UNMH Southwest Mesa Center for Family & Community Health Clinic
Loretta was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is the proud mother of two children. She earned a Certificate of Pastoral Theology, Master’s Program, St. Norbert College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from the University of New Mexico. She currently works at the UNMH Southwest Mesa Center for Family and Community Health Clinic as a Community Support Worker. Previous to UNMH, she was employed by the State of NM as a Probation Officer for approximately twenty-two years. While she was employed by the State of New Mexico she was very proud to start a Veterans Treatment Court at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
“What brought me to UNMH was the hard working, wonderful, dedicated employees that serve our beautiful diverse community. I saw a whole new world from the eyes of being in healthcare and it is an amazing world. For as long as I can remember I have always tried to embrace everyone as equals. The wonderful thing about culture and diversity is you can always learn something new and wonderful. There is so much beauty out there and if you look beyond, you will find it.”
Department of Ophthalmology | UNM School of Medicine
Dr. Roy Sanchez is a staff optometrist at the University of New Mexico Hospital. He is a native of Los Lunas and received his B.S. in Biology at UNM in 1999 and his Optometry Doctorate from Southern California College of Optometry in 2003. He completed his residency in ocular disease at the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque in 2004.
He has been working at UNMH for the past 19 years. He is responsible for setting up and expanding the teleretinal imaging program (TRIP) at UNM Hospital. This program helps to detect sight-threating diabetic retinopathy and intervene before vision loss occurs. Under his guidance, TRIP is now available at 10 clinical sites throughout UNMH and to date more than 2500 retinal screenings have been performed. His clinical interest is in ocular disease, with special emphasis on glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. He is passionate about providing exceptional eye care for the underserved community and is committed to ensuring high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
Dr. Sanchez lives in Albuquerque and cherishes spending quality time with his wife Kirsten, two children Adia and Ezra, and their three spoiled cats.
This is a time to commemorate and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and important contributions of Hispanic individuals. Hispanic Heritage Month also provides an opportunity to educate everyone about Latina/o/x/e, Hispanic, or Spanish Origin + identified communities and raise awareness about their unique historical and current challenges. Below are several opportunities to participate in virtual and hybrid events!
9/23: Flautas Moreno
9/30: Sanchez Tacos
10/7: Taqueria Azteca
10/14: La Carnita Asada
Sponsored by UNM Hospital.
Join us for a musical performance by New Mexico’s Premier Mariachi group, Mariachi Tenampa! This concert provides us the opportunity to celebrate a piece of Mexico’s rich culture.
Sponsored by UNM Hospital.
With a pre-film introduction by Dr. A. Gabriel Meléndez, Distinguished Professor of American Studies (Retired), Author of So All Is Not Lost: The Poetics of Print in Nuevomexicano Communities,
Hidden Chicano Cinema: Film Dramas in the Borderlands and The Book of Archives and Other Stories from the Mora Valley, NM.
This is a free, ticketed event and open to the public
For tickets, visit https://my.nmculture.org/11390/13088
Sponsored by The National Hispanic Cultural Center & UNM Department of English.
Facilitator: Luis Aaron Trillo, LMSA Co-President
Lotería (Spanish word meaning "lottery") is a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead of numbered ping pong balls. Every image has a name and an assigned number, but the number is usually ignored. Each player has at least one tabla, a board with a randomly created 4 x 4 grid of pictures with their corresponding name and number. Players choose a tabla to play with, from a variety of previously created tablas, each with a different selection of images. We welcome learners, faculty, and staff for a night of Lotería.
Register for this event
Sponsored by the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA Chapter - UNM SOM) and Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, UNM SOM and HSC Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
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Maria Veronica Svetaz, MD, MPH
Promoting Health Equity Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Adolescents: A Practical Guide
Facilitator:
Veronica Plaza MD, MPH
Learning Objectives:
Sponsored by the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, School of Medicine.
Guest Speaker(s)
Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD
Vice President and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Executive Officer
HSC Endowed Professorship for Equity in Health
Professor of Family & Community Medicine
Executive Director, UNM SOM Combined BA/MD Degree Program
PI, NM HCOP Academy
Eric R. Molina, MD, PhD
Resident Physician
Mass General Hospital Brigham
Victor H. Rodriguez, MD, MPH
Resident Physician
Tulane University School of Medicine
Learning Objectives:
Sponsored by the UNM School of Medicine and National Center for LMSA Leadership and Advancement.
Curanderísmo, traditional medicine of Mexico and the southwest has been practiced since the 1500 hundreds when the Spaniards arrived in Mexico. New Mexico and other southwest states have been practicing this method of healing for hundreds of years without learning its history and practices in the classroom. We have been offering courses at the University of New Mexico and through the international online Coursera platform for many years and have experienced much interest by students within New Mexico and of out state/country. This conversation will discuss the current interest and the future of combining traditional medicine with modern allopathic medicine as has been done in Mexico and other cultures. This conversation can be focused on the use of Curanderismo, traditional medicine during the stress and anxiety caused by the covid pandemic.
Eliseo Torres, EdD, MA, BA
Retired Administrator/Professor
University of New Mexico
Eliseo “Cheo” Torres teaches three classes on traditional medicine, and regularly lectures and gives presentations on the history and lore of Curanderismo to audiences ranging from scholars and students of Latin American culture to people hoping to become knowledgeable about alternative and traditional medicine, including lay people and medical professionals alike. He emphasizes in his writings and talks the contributions of women in Curanderismo such as Teresita Urrea who impacted traditional medicine in two countries, Mexico and the United States; Rita Navarrete who lives in Mexico City and is part of the Summer traditional medicine course at the university of New Mexico and Tonita Gonzales who lives in the North Valley of Albuquerque and received her diploma in traditional medicine in Mexico. Dr. Torres has published four books on traditional medicine emphasizing medicinal plants and rituals published by the University of New Mexico Press and Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
Mario Esteban Del Ángel Guevara, M.A. PhD Candidate
Doctoral Candidate in Hispanic Linguistics
The University of New Mexico
Mario Esteban Del Ángel Guevara is a PhD candidate in Hispanic linguistics at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese where he has taught courses in Spanish as a Second Language, Heritage language, Medical Spanish and currently teaches bilingual courses on Curanderismo: Traditional Medicine of Mexico and the Southwest. Doctoral candidate Mario Del Angel has received his certification in Mexican traditional medicine from CEDEHC, the School of Community Human Development in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Mario Del Angel has translated a number of books on traditional medicine from English to Spanish and serves as an interpreter for Mexican healers who participate in the Curanderismo courses at the University of New Mexico. He has apprenticed with Rita Navarrete in Mexico City and has researched the contributions and lives of other curanderas such as Teresita Urrea from Sonora, Mexico and Tonita Gonzales who practices traditional medicine in Albuquerque.
Register for this event
Sponsored by UNMH in collaboration with the HSC Office for DEI.
Sponsored by UNM Hospital.
This event will honor the first highest level Hispano/Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine/Mexicana-identified leaders of different entities within HSC.
Renee Ayala, MBA, MLS, MLT (ASCP)CM, CIC
Director of Quality
Infection Preventionist
UNM Medical Group 
Carla Cordova, MPH
Chief Administrative Officer
Clinical & Translational Science Center
Verónica Plaza, MD MPH
Director, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
UNM School of Medicine
Sponsored by HSC DEI
Lotería (Spanish word meaning "lottery") is a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead of numbered ping pong balls. Every image has a name and an assigned number, but the number is usually ignored. Each player has at least one tabla, a board with a randomly created 4 x 4 grid of pictures with their corresponding name and number. Players choose a tabla to play with, from a variety of previously created tablas, each with a different selection of images. We welcome learners, faculty, and staff for a night of Lotería.
Sponsored by the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA Chapter - UNM SOM) and Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, UNM SOM and HSC Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Sponsored by UNM El Centro de la Raza and UNM Medical School Admissions.
Sponsored by UNM PNMGC and UNM El Centro de la Raza.
Sponsored by UNM SRMC.
Sponsored by UNM HSC DEI & LMSA.
Sponsored by UNM Special Events.
Todos estamos sintiendo el estrés, la ansiedad, y la tristeza a causa del COVID-19. Únase a nuestros proveedores de la salud de UNM mientras nos dan consejos de cómo manejar la ansiedad, la angustia y la pérdida provocada por la pandemia del coronavirus.
Sponsored by UNM SRMC.
Sponsored by UNM HSC DEI & LMSA.
Sponsored by UNM HSC DEI.
Sponsored by UNM Special Events.
Sponsored by GPSA, LGBTQ Resource Center, and El Centro de la Raza.
Previous awardees are
More information forthcoming.
Moderator:
Teresa Madrid MPH,
Director of Programs, UNM HSC Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Carolyn Montoya, PhD, RN, PNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing
cjmontoya@salud.unm.edu
505-272-0848
Mauricio Tohen MD, DrPH, MBA
University Distinguished Professor and Chairman
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Francisco J. Ronquillo, MA, PA
Director of the Community Health Worker & Medical Assistant Academy, UNM HSC Office for Community Health
Who should attend? All are welcome.
Celebrating Hispanic Health Leaders in HSC
Who should attend? All are welcome.
Moderator:
Matthew Borrego PhD,
Professor & Director of Graduate Studies, UNM College of Pharmacy
Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, EdD,
Special Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Community Initiatives, UNM Health Sciences Center
Deanna Gonzalez,
MD Candidate | Class of 2021, Policy Chair, Southwest LMSA region
Chamiza Pacheco de Alas JD,
Chief of Staff to HSC EVP
Barbara I Damron, PhD, RN, FAAN, UNM
Chief Government Relations Officer, Professor, UNM HSC College of Nursing
Who should attend? All are welcome.
Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage with LMSA in a fun virtual social mixer with Loteria!
Who should attend? All are welcome.
Moderator:
Lana D Melendres Groves, MD,
Associate Professor, Vice Chair, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Internal Medicine
Speakers:
Sylk Sotto EdD, MPS, MBA,
Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs, Development, & Diversity in the Department of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine
Francisco Moreno, MD,
Associate Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, Professor, Psychiatry, University of Arizona Health Sciences
Who should attend? All are welcome.
Moderator:
J.P. Sánchez MD, MPH,
Professor, Vice Chair, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Emergency Medicine Senior Advisor to Vice Chancellor for HSC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Speaker:
Ken Dominguez, MD, MPH, CAPT USPHS,
Medical Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Who should attend? All are welcome.
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