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Spanish-Speaking Bicultural Students Pursuing Careers in Health Care Win $200,000 in Scholarships From the United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 October 2006, 09:00 CDT

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 http://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 http://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

United Health Foundation

CONTACT: Dan Miller of UnitedHealthcare, +1-714-226-3726,dan.miller@phs.com

Web site: http://www.uhclatino.com/

Web site: http://www.unitedhealthfoundation.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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