Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Diana E. Ramos, is California’s second Surgeon General and the first Latina to hold the position. She is a leader in public health, advocating for the well-being of all Californians. Dr. Ramos earned her medical degree from Keck University of Southern California, completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology, and holds degrees in public health and business administration. With over three decades of experience in reproductive care and public health leadership, she has contributed extensively to medical literature and policy. Dr. Ramos was awarded the 2024 Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Public Service and Health.

Natalie Rubalcava serves on the Anaheim City Council, representing District 3. Electe in 2022, she previously served as mayor pro tem and has a long history of civic leadership, including roles on Anaheim’s Housing and Community Development Commission and Community Services Board. A fourth-generation Anaheim resident, Rubalcava focuses on addressing homelessness, enhancing public safety, creating good-paying jobs, and improving city infrastructure. She is the former COO of the Orange County Business Council and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a law degree. Rubalcava remains deeply engaged in her community through service on multiple nonprofit boards and as a Girl Scout troop leader.

SESSION SPEAKERS

Kimberly C. Avila Edwards, MD, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Dell Medical School, where she leads advocacy efforts. A Harvard Medical School graduate, she focuses on health equity, obesity, immunization, and eating disorders, and has been honored by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Texas Pediatric Society for her leadership in pediatric health.

Lourdes Bahamonde, DO is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internist, with specialized training in gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. She completed her medical education at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by residency in Internal Medicine at North Shore University Hospital and fellowships in medical ethics and gastroenterology within the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Dr. Bahamonde is bilingual in English and Spanish and is committed to delivering culturally responsive care and advancing digestive health.

Michelle Cabrera, MD is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in women’s health. She earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed both her internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. Dr. Cabrera provides care in English and is committed to supporting patients across all stages of reproductive health.

Beatriz Caceres-Navario, MD is a physician-researcher whose work focuses on qualitative research examining the experiences and outcomes of Hispanic patients with non-malignant hematologic disorders at UNC.

Victor Cisneros, MD, MPH is a board-certified emergency medicine physician at UC Irvine, where he completed his medical training, residency, and fellowship. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Cisneros brings over four years of experience in clinical care and public health.

Jonathan Cohen, JD, MPhil is Clinical Professor and Director of Policy Engagement at the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health at USC, and a member of the HelpAge USA Board of Directors. Formerly Director of the Public Health Program at Open Society Foundations, he managed a $39M annual budget focused on social inclusion and democratic health policy. He has published widely on the structural determinants of health and currently leads The Health and Human Rights Oral History Project. Earlier, he worked with Human Rights Watch on HIV/AIDS and human rights.

Nereida Correa, M.D. is Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx and a faculty member at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in both OB/GYN and Family Medicine. Beginning her career as a registered nurse, Dr. Correa now mentors students and residents, while continuing to provide care, perform surgery, and deliver babies in her community.

Jose R. Cucalon Calderon, MD, FAAP is a General Pediatrician at Renown Children’s Hospital and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Bilingual and bicultural, Dr. Cucalon Calderon is deeply engaged in advancing Latino health, from improving vaccination rates to expanding access to mental health care. He directs the Spanish for Medical Professionals Elective at UNR Med and helped launch the new Pediatric Residency program. An NHMA Healthcare Leadership Fellow, he is the Developer, Founder, and current Co-Chair of the NHMA Nevada Chapter, leading efforts to support Latinx communities across local and national levels.

Michellene Davis, Esq. is President and CEO of National Medical Fellowships, Inc. (NMF) and a nationally recognized leader in healthcare and social impact. Named among Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Most Influential Minority Leaders, Davis previously served as EVP and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, where she founded an equity-centered community health initiative. A former New Jersey State Treasurer and published author, she is a graduate of Seton Hall University and holds executive certificates from Harvard and Wharton.

Selena Dagnino, is a Sr. Medical Science Liaison for HIV treatment and prevention at Gilead Sciences. Selena provides scientific support to key healthcare decision-makers in public health and academic institutions, along with community and community healthcare providers. Prior to her role at Gilead, Selena has been a passionate HIV Pharmacist with over a decade of clinical, academic, and leadership experience breaking barriers in access to antiretroviral therapy. Most notable experiences were serving as a Regional Director for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, along with being a Health Volunteer in the Peace Corps. Additionally, Selena created a lecture series called: Gender-Affirming Pharmacotherapy for HIV Providers. She brings with her a unique perspective and unwavering commitment to inclusivity and accessibility to care.

Rose Diaz, MD, MPH is an emergency medicine physician and Assistant Professor at both UCLA and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. She also serves as an attending physician at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Diaz completed her residency at the University of Michigan and later the International and Domestic Health Equity and Leadership (IDHEAL) Fellowship at UCLA. Her research and public health work focus on advancing health equity through community-based approaches, social emergency medicine, and improving care delivery for underserved and historically marginalized populations.

Marvin Figueroa is a Vice President based in Washington, D.C., with deep expertise in health care policy, state and local advocacy, and federal government affairs. He brings a wealth of experience from roles in the U.S. Senate, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Virginia Governor’s Office, and the Hillary for America campaign, consistently demonstrating the ability to work across diverse stakeholders to advance impactful health policy initiatives.

Marie E.S. Flores, MD, PhD, MPH is a board-certified family medicine physician at AltaMed and an assistant researcher at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health for the Parkinson’s Environment and Genes Brain and Gut Study. She serves as Faculty Lead for Scholarly Activity and Research and mentors residents and fellows in AltaMed’s Family Medicine Residency and Community Engaged Physician Fellowship Programs. Dr. Flores is deeply committed to advancing health equity, with professional interests in primary care for underserved communities, reproductive justice, disability access, and Latino health research. She holds degrees from Davidson College, UCLA, and the University of Utah, and lives in Los Angeles with her family.

Jessica Fujimoto, MD is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at UCSF and serves as the Assistant Program Director for the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at UCSF Fresno. She is also the Co Director of Simulation at UCSF Fresno. Dr. Fujimoto earned her medical degree from New York Medical College and completed her residency at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, where she was named Chief Resident. She furthered her expertise with a Fellowship in Medical Education and Research at UCSF Fresno. Board certified in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Fujimoto is committed to advancing both clinical care and medical education.

Michael Galvez, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with advanced training in pediatric hand surgery. He earned his undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology from UC Berkeley and his medical degree from Stanford University, where he also completed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute research fellowship and residency in plastic surgery. He pursued additional fellowships in hand and microvascular surgery at the University of Washington and in pediatric upper extremity surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Dr. Galvez is the Director of Pediatric Hand Surgery at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, California, and is dedicated to improving healthcare access and mentoring future medical professionals.

Andie Lee Gonzalez, PhD, MPH, RDN, LD, FAND is a seasoned dietitian, researcher, and public health advocate with over 20 years of experience across clinical, industry, and community sectors. With a PhD in Organizational Leadership, she currently leads cross functional initiatives focused on KOL engagement, education and advocacy, strategic communications, and pediatric nutrition program development. As a co- founder and mentor, Dr. Gonzalez is dedicated to empowering the next generation of dietitians and healthcare leaders, bridging the gap between scientific research and real world application to advance nutrition, healthcare, and public health outcomes.

Dr. Vivian Hernandez-Trujillo is a board-certified specialist in Pediatrics and Allergy/Immunology with over 16 years of experience. She is the Medical Director of Allergy and Immunology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and a Clinical Associate Professor at FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A national and international lecturer, she specializes in pediatric food allergies, anaphylaxis, and immunodeficiency, and has authored numerous publications in her field.

Yolangel (Yogi) Hernandez Suarez, MD, MDA, FACOG is Executive Vice Dean at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, overseeing clinical and educational training. She previously served as Senior Associate Dean at FIU’s College of Medicine and led the university’s COVID-19 response. With over two decades of leadership across academic, public, and private sectors, she has held roles at Jackson Health System and Humana. She earned her MD from Johns Hopkins, trained in OB/GYN at the University of Iowa, and holds an MBA from the University of Miami.

Elizabeth Homan Sandoval, MD is a multi board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. Fluent in Spanish, she treats a range of conditions including ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Homan Sandoval earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 2010, completed her psychiatry residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital, and pursued a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Juliana M. Jaramillo, MD is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and serves as the Director of Off Service Resident Experiences. She completed her Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center and her residency at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, where she also earned her medical degree. Dr. Jaramillo is dedicated to advancing medical education and improving pediatric emergency care, with a focus on mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Elizabeth T. Lee-Rey is a Family Medicine physician and school doctor at Museum 25 School, with a private practice in the Bronx. She’s a leader in health equity, mentorship, and diversity in medicine, serving on the NHMA Executive Board and directing the Einstein Summer Mentorship Program. She studied at NYU, University of Pittsburgh, Montefiore, and Columbia.

Dr. Margarita Loeza, MD, is the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions at Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine and Science. She is also involved with MiMentor, Latinx Physicians of California, and serves on several admissions committees. With a background from UC San Diego and a Family Medicine residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Dr. Loeza has dedicated her career to mentoring and supporting future physicians. She has volunteered at Venice Family Clinic since 2001, led telehealth initiatives during the pandemic, and is passionate about improving health disparities in underserved communities.

Edward Mena, MD is the Medical Director of the Pasadena Liver Center and a leading hepatologist in California, overseeing nearly half of the state’s liver- related cases. Since 2003, he as provided expert inpatient and outpatient care for liver diseases and has established advanced outpatient treatment centers in partnership with Cedars-Sinai and Keck Medicine of USC, specializing in liver cancer and transplant management.

Sonia Morales, MD, MPH is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist whose journey began with her own experience surviving an optic glioma as a child. Inspired by early exposure to cancer survivorship and advocacy, she earned her MD through the PRIME program at Charles Drew University/David Geffen School of Medicine and her MPH in health policy and management at UCLA. After training at Harbor-UCLA and completing fellowship at CHOC, she now cares for young patients at the Hyundai Cancer Institute. A past leader in NHMA and LMSA, Dr. Morales is developing a mental health app for cancer survivors through the BMS Foundation Diversity in Clinical Trials Program.

Dr. Carlos E. O’Bryan-Becerra is a family medicine doctor in Ventura, California and is affiliated with Ventura County Medical Center. He received his medical degree from University of California, Davis, School of Medicine and has been in practice between 11-20 years. Dr. Carlos E. O’Bryan Becerra has expertise in treating hypertension, diabetes, anxiety disorders, among other conditions.

Dr. Richey is a faculty member in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, where she focuses on the links between diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. A recipient of grants from major institutions including the NIH and American Diabetes Association, her research has been widely published. She is the immediate past president of the ADA’s Los Angeles Leadership Council, chair of the L.A. African American Diabetes Task Force, and serves as a peer grant reviewer for the American Heart Association.

Mark Diaz, M.D., co-founded UC Davis’s Latino pre-medical club, Chicanos/Latinos in Health Education (CHE), in 1972 and Clínica Tepati, a free clinic for Spanish-speaking patients, in 1974. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, in 1979 and completed a family medicine residency and Song-Brown fellowship at UC Davis Medical Center. He is board certified in family and occupational medicine.

Dr. Diaz is a founding member of the National Hispanic Medical Association, the National Hispanic Health Foundation, and the National Hispanic Pharmacists Association. He currently serves as chair of the National Hispanic Health Foundation board and is a board member of the pharmacists association.

He is a volunteer clinical professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine and a volunteer assistant clinical professor at California Northstate University College of Medicine. He also serves on the alumni boards of UC Davis, UC San Francisco, and the University of California Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association. He is currently a medical consultant for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.

Cesar Rolon is a multicultural marketing and public relations expert with extensive experience leading communications strategies across public and private sectors. As Associate Clerk and Public Information Officer for the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, he directs media relations, community outreach, and brand strategy to strengthen public engagement and trust. With a background in high impact campaigns, stakeholder management, and event coordination, Rolon is recognized for his innovative approach to inclusive storytelling and strategic communications.

Jenny Ruiz, MD, MSCE is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a pediatric hematologist oncologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. A graduate of Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania, her research focuses on social determinants of health and communication disparities in pediatric cancer care. Dr. Ruiz has received multiple grants supporting her work and is an active leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts through ASCO, ASH, and other national organizations.

Pedro A. Sanchez-Lara, MD, MSCE, FAAP, FACMG is the Director of Pediatric Clinical Genetics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Center for Craniofacial and Molecular Biology at USC. Prior to Cedars-Sinai, he spent a decade at CHLA, where he led programs in craniofacial genetics, molecular pathology, and cytogenetics.

Experienced executive leader in academic medical centers. Experience as Regional Dean of Medical School and Associate Vice-Chancellor of Academics with a demonstrated history of leadership in medical schools, academic medical centers, & health care industry. Skilled in Clinical Research, Medical Education, Palliative Care, and Quality Improvement, and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine.

Natalia Sucher serves as the Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California, where she leads efforts to advocate for and support individuals living with epilepsy. With extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and strategic program development, Natalia is dedicated to expanding access to critical services and resources. Her work reflects a strong commitment to empowering the epilepsy community and advancing public awareness.

Eva Tovar Hirashima was born and raised in Mexico City. She completed medical school at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and did an internal medicine residency before migrating up north. She completed an emergency medicine residency at Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency in Boston, MA and did a Clinical Ultrasound fellowship at University of Maryland. In 2017, she moved to Southern California where she has the privilege to work on both sides of the border. Her interests include point-of- care ultrasound, prehospital care, equitable access to health care.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Dr. Diana Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA

Natalie Rubalcava, Councilwoman

SESSION SPEAKERS

Kimberly Avila Edwards, Centene - Saint Louis, MO

Lourdes Bahamonde, DO Lourdes G. Bahamonde, DO Inc

Michelle Cabrera, MD, FACOG Huntington Health

Beatriz Cáceres-Nazario, MD University of North Carolina

Victor Cisneros, MD, MPH, CPH, FAAEM

Jonathan Cohen, JD

Nereida Correa, MD

Jose Cucalon Calderón, MD, FAAP

Michellene Davis

Selena Dagnino, PharmD, MHSA, AAHIVP Gilead

Rose Diaz, MD, PHD

Marvin Figueroa

Marie E.S. Flores, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

Jessica Fugimoto

Michael Galvez

Andie Gonzalez

Vivian Hernandez

Yolangel Hernandez-Suarez, MD, MDA, FACOG

Elizabeth Holman-Sandoval

Juliana Jaramillo, MD

Eliizabeth Lee Rey, MD

Margarita Loeza

Edward Mena, MD

Sonia Morales, MD, MPH

Carlos O'Bryan-Beccera, MD, FAAFP

Joyce Richey, PhD

Dr. Mark Diaz

Cesar Rolon

Jenny Ruiz, MD, MSCE

Pedro Sanchez-Lara, MD, MSCE, FAAP, FACMG

Leonardo Seone, MD, FACP

Natalie Sucher

Dr. Diana Torres Burgos

Eva Tovar, M.D., MPH, AEMUS-FPD