NHHF 16th Annual Gala was Very Elevating and Energizing( continued)
Tony Cardenas spoke of his roots growing up in Pacoima and his ultimate journey through the LA City Council to his current position as a the first Hispanic US Congressman from the San Fernando Valley. He lauded California US Senator Alex Padilla and spoke of the mentoring and nurturing which he imparted to the Senator along the way.( Note: within a week of his appearance, it was announced that Cong. Cardenas was retiring from the House.)
An exceptional video tribute to the late, legendary Gloria Molina was also featured. She received a posthumous award for all of the pioneering battles and milestones that she waged on the part of peoples of color. Ms. Molina’ s contributions were cited was game-changing, groundbreaking, and she serves as a fantastic role model to succeeding generations of Hispanic politicians all over the country.
LACCD Chancellor Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, who presides over the largest community college district in the US, noted how the District’ s various programs include health care training and support to aspiring professionals. He noted the need for leaders to recognize their obligation to be egalitarian in providing educational opportunities to a wide variety of students. He stated that LACCD is the most egalitarian educational system of its kind in the US. He ended his message with ¡ Sí, Se Puede! – as a gracenote that much is yet to be accomplished and people such as those in the room have the ability to reach those goals.
Dr. Edward Kim, Physician in Chief at City of Hope, Orange County noted that every day is a mission to help people. He noted that historically, clinical trials have tended to exclude key sectors such as Hispanics, and it is important to fight for inclusion. He noted that cancer is the leading cause of death a m o n g s t Hispanics. They are the least diagnosed population, he noted as one more reason to fight for health equity.
Dr. Kim was followed by the distinguished Dr. Hector Flores, whom we have featured in
Akira Feliz, Martin Vasquez
an earlier Sharpest Scalpel focused on the impact of COVID-19 in the barrio and ghetto regions. Dr. Flores is a founding member of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.
His passion for medical equity was forged during his youth growing up during the civil rights movement, and the Vietnam war. He noted the common identity forged during the struggle, accelerated by family inspiration, sacrifices made, and the clear lesson that a physician must treat patients the way that the doctor and his family would want to be treated.
Following those presentations, the scholarship recipients were assembled onstage and acknowledged for their potential as the leaders of the 21st century wave of health care professional committed to bringing healthcare equity to any and all people regardless of social condition, age, and ability to pay.
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 20