At Temple Health, we couldn’t be prouder of our colleagues’ commitment to the Hispanic community, from working to eliminate medical disparities to making healthcare more inclusive and accessible. That’s why we’re so excited to honor the recipients of the 2024 Health Equity Leadership & Social Justice Hispanic Heritage Month Awards!
These recognitions are given out by the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Each recipient has set an example for their peers and team members with their exceptional dedication and leadership. Not only has their work enhanced our organization, but it has also inspired each of us to strive for greater heights.
Read on for excerpts from each of the winners’ nominations—and if they’re one of your coworkers, remember to thank them for all they do!
Administration/Staff
Annette Prado, MSN, RN-BC
Associate Director, Nursing Services, TUH-Main Campus
“Annette has made 8E a great place to work. She has been here for me throughout my time at Temple, even though I am not on her staff. She is someone I see as an example of a great leader. Annette has had patience and humor while helping me learn and practice my Spanish, which has been a highlight of my days (y muy divertido).
Annette knows how to hold her staff to high standards, treat patients and families with dignity and respect, and create an environment where people feel comfortable asking for help. I nominate Annette for the Health Equity Leadership & Social Justice Awards because I have witnessed her work ethic and what she contributes to our patients and staff, and can say without question that she deserves this recognition.”
Medical Students
Tomas Mauricio Prudencio, MD’25
Lewis Katz School of Medicine
“Tomas embodied what it meant to be a leader that represents and works for the Hispanic/Latino community. He was instrumental in connecting with Esperanza College, a North Philadelphia high school/college where our chapter was able to provide mentorship via panels, health fairs, and workshops. During this time, Tomas mentored Esperanza students on their journey through college applications in his own time. Additionally, Tomas helped our chapter become one of the most active in the northeast.”
Michelle Oriana Gomez-Guevara, BS, MS, MD’26
Lewis Katz School of Medicine
“She has worked to increase the accessibility of the team’s other research surveys to Hispanic patients by translating and conducting the surveys in Spanish to collect information about patients’ knowledge about lung cancer, adherence to annual lung cancer screening, and perception of healthcare and barriers to access to healthcare. She also coordinated and created patient education events and materials for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the upcoming Lung Cancer Awareness Month, including patient education videos in Spanish to increase language accessibility for Hispanic patients.”
Nursing
Raquel R. Diaz, RN, BSN
Psychiatry Staff Nurse, PM5, TUH-Episcopal Campus
“Raquel started working at Episcopal two years ago. She has always been attentive to all patients’ needs, and she is very helpful when we have Spanish-speaking patients, regardless of their culture. She helps us even when the patient is not assigned to her team. She also makes sure to use the phone when patients are not Spanish speakers. She is very knowledgeable about different cultures. We are blessed to have Raquel as part of our team!”
Other Health Profession Student
Nashalie Moret-Vega, BS, PharmD’26
Temple University School of Pharmacy
“As a PharmD candidate at Temple University and a licensed pharmacy technician with years of community pharmacy experience, Nashalie has consistently demonstrated a passion for serving underserved communities. She has taken on leadership roles such as President of the National Hispanic Pharmacists Association (NHPA), hosting health fairs and creating bilingual resources to educate the Hispanic community on chronic health conditions, the role of pharmacists, and medication safety. One of her standout contributions was organizing and participating in the Mi-Salud Community Health Fair, where she and her team provided blood pressure screenings and educated a diverse population.”