Closing the Health Divide: Key Insights from the Adelantando Healthcare Conference on Latino Health

The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute is thrilled to announce the Adelantando: Latino Healthcare Conference on February 20, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bethany Hall. This vibrant event, organized by the volunteer group Bridge to Visibility, aims to bring together local leaders and experts to discuss vital health issues affecting the Latino community.

This conference invites everyone to explore various topics related to wellness in the Latino community. The day will start with a keynote speech by Juan Rios, a social work professor at Seton Hall University. His talk, “Empowered Wellness: Navigating the Journey from Vulnerability to Liberation in Healthcare,” will inspire attendees to think about their health journeys.

Throughout the day, there will be sessions on a variety of topics such as speech and language issues, burnout, health equity, women’s health, and financial difficulties faced by the Latino community.

Dave Ortiz, CEO of Crystal Run Ambulatory Surgery Center and president of the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives Tri-State Chapter, will close the conference with his insights on “The Latino Aversity to Healthcare.” He will discuss the barriers that Latino communities encounter and ways to overcome them.

A special highlight of the day will be the Lunch Awards Ceremony. Here, we will celebrate the achievements of influential leaders in the Latino community. Dr. Natasha Corbitt, a distinguished pediatric surgeon, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Corbitt is the first African American female pediatric surgeon in the U.S. with both an M.D. and a Ph.D. She has made significant contributions to medical research and developed innovative diagnostic techniques for infants, which are now being studied nationwide.

During her session, titled “16 Carriages Driving Away, After I Watch Them Bring All My Dreams to Stay”—inspired by Beyoncé—attendees will have the chance to hear her inspiring story.

We will also honor Amanda Parrish Block with the Service Award. As the leader of GRACE (Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community’s Essentials), she helps over 1,100 Latino families tackle financial challenges by coordinating food and supply distributions every week.

The final award, the Healthcare Hero Award, will go to Dr. Rosario Zambrano, founder of Essex Pediatrics. Recognized for her work with the Reach Out and Read program, Dr. Zambrano gifts books to her young patients. She is a strong advocate for holistic healthcare, encouraging families to enjoy nature and spend quality time together.

For more details and to register, please visit the conference event page. If the registration fee poses a challenge, you can reach out to Lori Tarke at [email protected] for a complimentary admission promo code.