Latina Researcher Dr. Amelie Ramirez Wins ‘Mujer’ Award for Community Service

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Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has received the 2014 “Regional Mujer Award” from the National Hispana Leadership Institute, a national leadership organization for Latinas.

Mujer (Woman) awards are given annually to Latinas who serve their communities with “justice, love, and the deepest pride in their culture.”

Past Mujer winners include actresses Eva Longoria and Rosaro Dawson, Lidia Soto-Harmon, CEO of Girl Scouts, and Ivelisse Estrada, VP of Univision.

Ramirez, an internationally recognized expert in health disparities research, has spent 30 years developing unique health communication models that have helped reduce cancer rates and increase cancer screening and healthy behaviors among Latinos. She also trains minority students and faculty in research methods.

She directs two national research networks, Redes En Acción and Salud America!, and leads a unique Latino health social media campaign called @SaludAmerica.

“I am honored by this recognition for our multi-faceted work to reduce cancer inequalities and increase healthy behaviors among Latinos,” said Dr. Ramirez, the Dielmann Chair in Health Disparities Research & Community Outreach and the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Endowed Chair in Cancer Health Care Disparities at the Health Science Center.

Ramirez joins three other Mujer Award winners this year:

• Elaine Coronado, founder and president of Argus Events & Marketing, 2014 Mujer Alumna of the Year;
• Dr. Ana Gil-Garcia, a professor at Northeastern Illinois University, 2014 National Mujer Award; and
• Dr. Raquel Cohen, an expert in the field of intervention and assistance to survivors of disasters, 2014 Mujer Chair’s Award.

Winners will receive their award at the National Hispana Leadership Institute’s 2014 Executive Leadership Conference & Mujer Awards on Sept. 15, 2014, in Dallas.

“The 2014 Mujer Honorees are all incredible trailblazers in their respective fields,” said Ann Marquez, president of the National Hispana Leadership Institute. “Though there were many deserving women nominated for each category, each of our Honorees were chosen for their demonstrated leadership and desire to continue paving the path for our Latinas.”