Editor’ s POV
Thank you for making this challenging journey of developing and refining The Sharpest Scalpel a very fulfilling labor of love. Having gone from 12 pages in our first edition nearly five years ago to our current 40-plus is a statement about the vigor of the University, the diverse ideas that work, and the great people that make our story come alive. We have lots and lots of good news to share. Why not get it out there?
This edition focuses on a segment of our professional family that embodies our need to work diligently to execute the CDU mission with purposeful intention and appropriate vigor. The urgent imperative to inaugurate a new ongoing series in these pages, The Hispanic Footprint in American Medicine, was born at last year’ s National Hispanic Health Foundation’ s 16th Annual California Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Gala, where a seed was planted as two of our brilliant 4-Year medical program first year students, Martin Vasquez and Akira Féliz, were honored.
Having grown up in south Los Angeles attending both grammar and high school, and forming strong lifelong bonds of brotherhood with many of my Latinx homeboys; as well as publishing in Spanish and achieving a Minor in Latin American Folklore at the Master’ s level; and numerous trips to meu coração Brasíl, the Gala struck a warm chord that resonated long after mid-November 2023.
The NHHF event gave me ideas. It triggered fond memories. And the fact that Akira, an Afro-Latina, was included as a scholarship recipient spoke volumes about the Foundation’ s aim to be as inclusive as possible.
So here we come with this frontal assault on healthcare disparities with a Latin flavor. Bringing the love. Thanks to the exceptional Arthur Gomez, COM Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, and the equally distinguished Roberto Vargas, MD, the Hispanic Footprint series has gotten off to a rousing start. Each man’ s work, their suggestions, and their insight were invaluable.
There were many others who pitched in, notably Dr. Rufina Cortez, Director of Student Affairs and Admissions for the 4-Year medical program; and Sherry Perry Broomfield, Dean Gomez’ s Administrative Assistant. They shared ideas, put in work, and listened to my blathering. Can’ t thank y’ all enough.
Con alma,
Lance A. Williams, PhD Editor
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 4