Congressman Dr. Ruiz and Congresswoman Dr. Caraveo Introduce Legislation to Designate October 1st as National Latino and Latina Physician Day
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) and Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (CO-08) introduced legislation to designate October 1st as National Latino and Latina Physician Day:
“Latinos make up 19% of the population but only 7% of the physician workforce. Having doctors who can communicate in their patients’ language and understand their patients’ culture leads to better health recommendations and outcomes,” said Dr. Ruiz. “Increasing the number of Latino and Latina physicians will benefit all patients and our nation. That is why, we introduced the Bipartisan National Latino and Latina Physician Day resolution.”
“As a doctor in our community, I saw how providing culturally sensitive care, many times in the patient’s first language, can make a world of difference for the health and wellbeing of our patients,” said Dr. Caraveo. “We need more physicians to provide this life-saving care for Latino communities. I’m proud to join my friend and colleague, Dr. Ruiz, in introducing this resolution, which celebrates the contributions of Latino and Latina doctors and highlights the many benefits of a diverse medical workforce.”
Background:
There is currently no official national day of recognition for Latino or Latina physicians.
Despite the U.S. population being about 19% Latino, Latinos represent only 7% of the physician workforce. This health care workforce disparity means that growth in the Latino and Latina physician workforce is needed to ensure patients can receive quality care from physicians who speak their language and share their culture.
As the first Latino doctor to serve in Congress, Dr. Ruiz is honored to introduce this resolution, alongside a fellow physician, Dr. Caraveo, who is the first Latina doctor to serve in Congress.
Dr. Ruiz achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a physician through public education. After graduating from Coachella Valley High School in California, Dr. Ruiz graduated magna cum laude from UCLA, and obtained his Medical Degree, a Master of Public Policy, and a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, becoming the first Latino to earn three graduate degrees from Harvard University. Dr. Ruiz returned home after completing his medical training and began working as an Emergency Physician at Eisenhower Medical Center.
Dr. Caraveo grew up in Adams County, Colorado, raised by her parents on her father’s construction worker’s salary and surrounded by her extended family in Brighton and Fort Lupton. After graduating from Regis University, Dr. Caraveo became the first in her family to attend medical school, at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. In medical school, she decided she wanted to give back to her community by becoming a pediatrician. She completed her internship and residency at University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then moved back to Adams County.
This resolution would do the following:
- Recognize October 1st as National Latino and Latina Physician Day.
- Encourage the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) – as well as states, local educational agencies, schools, and community organizations – to support Latino medical students and aspiring medical students through increased funding, awareness, and retention of pre-medical and medical programs nationwide with an emphasis on programs geared towards Latinos.
- Generate more public awareness of health care workforce disparity.
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