How My Chicano and Latino Studies Major Shaped My Career in Health Care Administration
When I began my studies at California State University, Long Beach in 1988, I was undeclared and adjusting to the transition from 12 years of Catholic school to a large, diverse university environment. I never imagined that I would major in Chicano Studies. However, life has a way of guiding us toward where we need to be.
During my second year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer—an experience that changed my life forever. As I struggled with whether to leave school to care for her, I found strength and direction through my mentors in the Mexican American Studies Department, particularly Dr. Adela de la Torre, our department chair. She became an influential mentor, encouraging me to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and advising me to focus on my academic and professional goals while continuing my lifelong passion for Folklórico dance.
Through Chicano and Latino Studies, I gained a deeper understanding of cultural identity, social justice, and the systemic inequities that affect Latino communities. These lessons became the foundation of my professional purpose—to expand health care access and equity for underserved populations.
After earning my degree, I began my career at AltaMed Health Services, where I wrote the first health education curriculum in Los Angeles County for Latina women at higher risk for HIV/AIDS. Later, as a health care administrator for Care1st Health Plan, I implemented the state-mandated Health Education Department and went on to serve as Clinic Director and HIV Services Director for El Proyecto del Barrio. My work extended to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for the Latin American Consulates Window of Health project, where I provided health education to various Latino subgroups, promoting prevention and awareness in culturally relevant ways.
I served as Commission President for the Los Angeles City El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument Authority also knows as Olvera Street and was part of the East Los Angeles YMCA Board of Directors and the Resurrection School Advisory Board.
For the past 26 years, I have served as a Lecturer in the Chicano Studies Department, drawing upon my firsthand experiences working with the Latino community in healthcare settings. Through courses such as Latino Health Care Access, Directed Studies, and Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Studies, I engage students in critical analyses of structural inequities, cultural competence, and the social determinants of health that influence Latino health outcomes and broader patterns of racial and ethnic disparities.
Today, I continue this mission as part of the Department of Health Services for Los Angeles County, overseeing contract compliance and ensuring that programs meet federal and state standards for our most vulnerable populations.
My degree in Chicano and Latino Studies, paired with my Master’s in Public Health, has given me the tools to serve marginalized communities with cultural sensitivity, advocacy, and leadership. My academic journey not only shaped my career path but also strengthened my lifelong commitment to improving health outcomes for Latino populations.
