Hispanic Heritage Month: Honoring Healthcare Heroes

The annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is here! Since 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated from September 15 through October 15 to honor the significant achievements and culture of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. It is also a time of reflection and celebration of the independence earned by many countries from Spain. To observe this special month, we are recognizing the historical achievements of the most influential Hispanic-American healthcare professionals.

José Celso Barbosa, MD (1857-1921)

José Celso Barbosa, MD, a Puerto Rican-born physician and politician of African and European ancestry, paved the path for many. In 1875 he moved to the United States to further his education, but quickly experienced the hurdle of discrimination. Barbosa was initially rejected by Columbia University but remained hopeful about his career path. He later graduated from the University of Michigan with an MD, becoming the first Puerto Rican in the United States to receive a medical degree.

Once he completed his education, Barbosa dedicated much of his time to caring for soldiers during the Spanish-American War and serving poor communities. His commitment to public health and his political affairs would shape him into the historical figure that we know today. Barbosa introduced the idea of employer-based health insurance in Puerto Rico and pushed for its statehood. Today he is known as the “father of the Puerto Rican statehood movement.”

Severo Ochoa, MD (1905-1993)

Known as the “man behind RNA,” Severo Ochoa, MD, was a Spanish biochemist and physician. Ochoa’s interest in biology started at a young age and was greatly influenced by Spanish neurologist, Ramón y Cajal. This passion drove him to obtain his MD at the University of Madrid. After he completed his education and held various research positions across the globe, Ochoa became a biochemistry professor at the University of Madrid before fleeing to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War.

Ochoa continued his career as a professor at Washington University School of Medicine and later as the director of the Department of Biochemistry at the New York University College of Medicine. In 1959, Ochoa received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his joint efforts in discovering the enzyme, polynucleotide phosphorylase.

Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, PhD, RN (1920-2010)

In 1945, Ildaura Murillo-Rhode PhD, RN, left Panama to begin her nursing career in San Antonio. Upon her arrival, she was stunned by the lack of representation of Hispanic nurses (the city’s primary demographic at the time). This realization spurred her lifelong dedication to quality healthcare in her community as well as the representation of Hispanic and Latino nurses. These barriers inspired Murillo-Rhode to continue her education, receiving degrees from New York’s Columbia University and New York University.

Over the years, Murillo-Rhode earned many prestigious honors and achievements, including her assistance in founding the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) and serving as its first president. She also earned one of the highest honors in nursing, a fellowship from the American Academy of Nursing. Today, NAHN keeps her legacy alive by offering the Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde Scholarship for Hispanic students with outstanding achievements in the nursing field.

Helen Rodríguez-Trías, MD (1929-2001)

Helen Rodríguez-Trías, MD, a women’s rights activist and pediatrician, transformed the lives of many during her lifetime. Born in New York City to a Puerto Rican family, Rodríguez-Trías had personal encounters with racism and discrimination, igniting her passion for activism later in life. After receiving an education from the University of Puerto Rico, she established Puerto Rico’s first infant health clinic.

Eventually, Rodríguez-Trías returned to New York City where she expanded her efforts to combat sterilization abuse. Her work gained more attention due to her involvement in various committees that focused on abortion rights and ending sterilization abuse. In 2001, Rodríguez-Trías was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal for her dedication to the healthcare of minorities and those impacted by HIV and AIDS.

Jane Delgado, PhD, MS (1953 – )

Jane Delgado, PhD, a Cuban-American psychologist, author, and leader in health policy, has made a name for herself by devoting her efforts to eliminating racial and ethnic inequities and increasing mental healthcare accessibility. Delgado received her MA in psychology from New York University and later a PhD in clinical psychology from SUNY Stony, pairing it was a secondary MS in Urban and Policy Sciences.

While serving in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), she prioritized health disparities in minority communities and played a critical role in developing the Heckler Report. Delgado’s impact remains strong today as the President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (NAAH).

Cheers to Hispanic Heritage Month and thank you for joining us in recognizing these influential healthcare leaders along with the historical ties to this month. The achievements of these professionals are only a small glimpse of the ongoing impact of Hispanic Americans’ contributions and culture within our society.