Andre Guerrero
Third-year dental student Andre Guerrero, who enrolled at UCSF in part because of its commitment to serving the underserved, is among nine health professionals to receive a scholarship from the National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF).
The scholarships were presented to health professional students at the First Annual NHHF Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Gala on Tuesday at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel. The NHHF is a nonprofit group affiliated with the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.
This year's Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarships were awarded to outstanding students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership and a commitment to the Hispanic community, the nation's largest minority group. The scholarship targets students who have made a commitment to improving the health of Hispanic communities. Their disciplines are in four areas: medicine, nursing, dentistry and public health.
A native of Brazil, Guerrero moved to the US when he was 9 years old. He attended high school in San Dimas, CA, where his family still resides.
"Dentistry goes beyond my interest in the biomedical sciences and working with my hands," Guerrero said. "It is a profession that allows me to physically and emotionally demonstrate encouragement, commitment, hope and an improved standard of living for the patients that I serve."
Asked why he chose to attend UCSF, Guerrero said, "UCSF's commitment to serve underserved communities and maintain the most prestigious research environment creates an ideal institution in which to complete my dental studies and clinical development."
Guerrero credits Brian Schmidt, DDS, MD, PhD, associate professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCSF, for his success.
"I want to recognize and graciously thank Dr. Brian Schmidt for being my mentor," Guerrero said. "He has not only guided me since I took a research position in his lab, but he consistently challenges my thoughts and ideas to bring the best out of me."
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UCSF School of Dentistry student Andre Guerrero stands with Elena Rios, president and CEO of National Hispanic Health Foundation and the National Hispanic Medical Association, at the awards ceremony Tuesday in Sacramento. |
The other winners of the 2007 Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarships are: Miriam Abaunza, UC Davis School of Medicine; Erik Cabral, Stanford University School of Medicine; Andrea Gallardo, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine; Efrain Talamantes, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; Loretta Romandia, University of San Francisco School of Nursing; Azucena Vega-Paramo, Sonoma State University; Monica Garcia, UC Davis School of Public Health; and Eddy Jara, UC Berkeley School of Public Health.
The winners were selected by the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the Latino Caucus of the American Public Health Association, the Hispanic Dental Association and the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA). Since the scholarship program was launched in 2004, NHHF has awarded 38 scholarships totaling $80,000.
"We at NHHF are honored to help these remarkable students in achieving their goals," said Elena Rios, MD, president and CEO of NHHF. "By doing our part today, we are nurturing future health professionals and role models who will be tomorrow's leaders."
Three prominent leaders also were honored at the gala: Jose A. Arevalo, MD, medical director, Sutter Independent Physicians; Diana M. Bonta, RN, DrPh, vice president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region; and Richard Figueroa, MBA, health care advisor, Office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"We are thrilled because this year, we are honoring health leaders who are role models for our scholars," said Rios.
This year's scholarship program was expanded with the generous support of Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region, United Health Foundation, Abbott, Amgen, Blue Cross, CA Healthcare Foundation, Molina Healthcare, PhRMA, UC Davis and other partners.
NHHF is the 501(c)(3) arm of the NHMA, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, and representing Hispanic physicians across the United States.
Related Link:
National Hispanic Health Foundation
