31 Hispanic and Latino leaders to know in 2024

Becker’s released a list honoring Hispanic and Latino healthcare leaders.

Diverse leadership in healthcare enhanced the overall experience for both patients and providers. The individuals recognized reshaped the patient journey, led the next generation of healthcare providers, and advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Special thanks were extended to Rhoda Weiss for her contributions.

• Ray Anderson

Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Trinity Health (Livonia, Mich.). In his role, Dr. Anderson leads systemwide strategic planning, business development, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions for Trinity Health. He spearheads digital modernization efforts and workforce development, focusing on enhancing clinical programs, market share, and profitability. Additionally, he heads Progresando Together, Trinity Health’s Hispanic/Latinx employee resource group aimed at empowering and connecting the community and its allies. Dr. Anderson is also involved with several boards.

• Michael Archuleta

CIO of Mt. San Rafael Hospital and Clinics (Trinidad, Colo.). As CIO, Mr. Archuleta is responsible for the hospital’s health IT strategy, driving initiatives that enhance patient care, operational efficiency, and data security. He has led a successful digital transformation, implementing advanced technologies like EHRs, telehealth platforms, and cybersecurity measures. Under his leadership, the hospital achieved Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Analytics Stage Six recognition and has earned seven consecutive “Most Wired” awards from The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. He also advises other healthcare organizations and serves on the Colorado eHealth Commission.

• Dara Bartels

CEO of Mile Bluff Medical Center (Mauston, Wis.). Ms. Bartels leads Mile Bluff Medical Center by aligning its operational and financial objectives, leveraging her experience as a former CFO to tackle rural healthcare challenges. She emphasizes improving efficiency, enhancing staff performance, and fostering a culture of communication, accountability, and trust. Ms. Bartels has initiated strategies to establish Mile Bluff as the preferred healthcare provider in the region, even against larger competitors. Notably, she introduced an AI-powered search tool in the EHR system, significantly reducing clinician workloads. Before becoming CFO in 2019, she held various positions at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis.

• Jose R. Cucalon Calderon

Division Chief of Advocacy and Outreach at Renown Children’s Hospital (Reno, Nev.). Dr. Calderon is a dedicated pediatrician and advocate for children’s health, focusing on ensuring quality healthcare access for underserved communities. He actively promotes vaccination and tobacco prevention, participating in policy discussions and collaborating with organizations to address disparities in pediatric care and education. A leader in the National Hispanic Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, he promotes initiatives for equitable healthcare and family empowerment. Dr. Calderon recently recorded public service announcements in both English and Spanish to discourage tobacco use among children. He is also the pediatric advocacy rotation director and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine.

• Noel J. Cárdenas

Senior Vice President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Southeast and Pearland Hospitals (Houston, Texas). Mr. Cárdenas is the operational and strategic leader for Memorial Hermann Southeast and Pearland Hospitals, overseeing 392 beds, a workforce of 2,600 employees, and generating $658 million in net patient revenue. He is responsible for executing strategic plans, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting a culture of inclusion, equity, and diversity. Under his leadership, Pearland Hospital completed an $18.4 million expansion and launched initiatives such as Operation Recapture Bay Area Houston to boost market share. Mr. Cárdenas also established a community resource center aimed at enhancing community health outcomes and is focused on mentoring future leaders for continued excellence in leadership.

• Marcela G. del Carmen Amaya

President of Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, and Executive Vice President for Mass General Brigham (Boston). Dr. del Carmen leads an academic medical center with over 33,000 employees and 1,000 beds, including 3,200 physicians. She has initiated programs to combat physician burnout, such as an annual wellbeing summit, lactation support, scholarship opportunities, and listening sessions, with 65% of physicians participating. Dr. del Carmen has also implemented strategies to reduce administrative burdens for caregivers, resulting in a 28% decrease in inbox messaging. She is the first woman and Latino to achieve the academic rank of professor in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, as well as gynecologic oncology at Harvard Medical School.

• Victor Carrillo

Senior Vice President and Associate Chief Quality Officer for Hackensack Meridian Health (Edison, N.J.). Dr. Carrillo directs quality and patient safety initiatives, developing a comprehensive strategy to enhance care through evidence-based practices and regulatory compliance. He leads clinical model redesign and specialty care collaborations, fostering a culture of transparency and improvement. His focus on vulnerable populations has led to the implementation of the New Jersey Quality Improvement Program, addressing social determinants of health for Medicaid, uninsured, and underserved patients. Under his leadership, the system improved NJ-QIP performance from 87.3% to 93% and enhanced primary care delivery, garnering national recognition in Leapfrog and U.S. News and World Report rankings. Dr. Carrillo is also a published expert in healthcare quality and safety, regularly sharing his research findings.

• Milagros Castillo

Vice President of Nursing at Mercy Health–Lorain and Allen Hospitals (Ohio). Ms. Castillo oversees multiple nursing units, including emergency services and med/surg oncology, while aligning quality, safety, and patient satisfaction with corporate goals. With over a decade of leadership experience, she played a key role in launching a 32-bed Covid-19 unit in 2020, managing staffing, training, and daily operations in collaboration with infectious disease experts. Ms. Castillo has also worked to build trust within Latino communities by promoting vaccination and education at local events. Her leadership has earned her several accolades, including the 2024 Leadership Lorain County Jeptha Carrell Award and the 2023 Crain’s Cleveland Business “Notable Latino Leaders” award. She is actively involved in community and hospital committees focused on diversity, inclusivity, and quality patient care.

• Laura Cena-Doten

Assistant Vice President at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Care Network. Ms. Cena-Doten manages strategic business development, financial operations, and program implementation for over 30 primary care locations within the network. She ensures integration of healthcare services and physicians into the community and collaborates with leaders across the organization to support strategic initiatives and long-term goals. Under her leadership, the primary care network expanded through four practice acquisitions and over ten office relocations and expansions. She and her team have identified significant cost-saving opportunities and improved access for patients through innovative programs, including Express Care for same-day sick appointments, an expanded provider float pool, and enhanced telemedicine services.

• Eduardo Conrado

President of Ascension (St. Louis). Mr. Conrado oversees the health system’s strategy and daily operations, ensuring it adapts to evolving consumer preferences. He leads initiatives in digital, data, and consumer experience strategies to enhance patient and clinician interactions across the organization. Before this role, he served as executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer from July 2019 to January 2023, and initially joined as executive vice president and chief digital officer in 2018. Mr. Conrado is also a board member for the Catholic Health Association, Southwest Airlines, and ArcBest Corporation.

• Valeria Cueto

Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Memorial Health (Springfield, Ill.). Ms. Cueto has held this position since October 2021, driving efforts to improve health equity within the organization and the communities it serves. Under her leadership, the EDI division has implemented a strategic plan that includes initiatives in community health, language access, patient experience, and pastoral care. She has strengthened community partnerships to address health disparities, such as programs aimed at reducing recidivism and improving healthcare access. Notably, she led efforts to ensure Memorial’s EHR is LGBTQ+ inclusive. Her collaborative approach and community engagement have bolstered trust across diverse groups.

• Sally Deitch

Executive Vice President of Nursing and Operations Infrastructure for Ascension (St. Louis). Ms. Deitch oversees nursing practices, operations, and regulatory matters across Ascension’s facilities. She manages subsidiaries like Medxcel facilities management and The Resource Group and serves as the regional operating officer for Ascension’s markets in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, driving operational alignment across hospitals and ambulatory facilities. Rising from staff nurse to hospital CEO in under 15 years, she has held significant leadership roles at Tenet Healthcare and HCA Healthcare. Ms. Deitch has received numerous accolades, including the 2016 Corris Boyd Leadership Award from The Federation of American Hospitals.

• Anne Davila Diamond

President of Bridgeport Hospital (Conn.). Ms. Diamond leads the 501-bed Bridgeport Hospital, which serves Fairfield and New Haven counties, admitting over 30,000 patients annually and providing 600,000 outpatient treatments. She has launched a state-of-the-art stroke center with advanced imaging technology and a Hispanic breast cancer program to support the growing Latino population. With a strong focus on community health, she advocates for initiatives like a Spanish-speaking social media campaign to enhance communication with underserved populations. Ms. Diamond also sponsors workplace violence, disaster preparedness, safety, and security initiatives at Yale New Haven Health System and chairs the Connecticut Hospital Association’s health equity advisory council.

• Francisco J. Esteva

Chief of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital (New York City). Dr. Esteva leads the hematology and medical oncology departments, overseeing clinical care, research, and service expansion. He integrates advanced cancer therapies and clinical trials while advancing breast cancer research and community initiatives. A respected oncology leader, he has co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles and has been instrumental in expanding fellowship programs and launching clinical trials in collaboration with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Under his guidance, Northwell Lenox Hill received accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. He is also a professor at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, driving the expansion of oncology services in the new Victoria and Lloyd Goldman Medical Pavilion.

• Narjust Florez

Associate Director of Cancer Care Equity at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston). Dr. Florez, a thoracic medical oncologist, focuses on the unique disease characteristics and survivorship challenges faced by historically understudied communities with lung cancer, including women, young patients, and racial and ethnic minorities. She pioneered the largest study to date on sexual dysfunction in women with lung cancer in 2021 and currently leads innovative studies addressing psychosocial needs, diagnostic delays, treatment tolerability, and the impact of cancer therapy on fertility. In 2022, Dr. Florez became the first Latina associate editor for DEI at JAMA Oncology and chaired the 2023 and 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer. She founded The Florez Lab, emphasizing cancer health disparities and social justice, and co-founded #LatinasinMedicine to provide career advancement opportunities for Latinas in medicine.

• Liz Fragoso

Vice President of Risk Finance for Texas Health Resources (Arlington). In her role, Ms. Fragoso manages all aspects of risk management, aligning it with the organization’s goals and operational needs. She led the formation of Texas Health’s captive insurance company in 2014 and oversaw the implementation of new risk management systems in 2010 and 2020. Additionally, she reviews acquisitions and manages coverage for mergers. Ms. Fragoso is actively involved in multiple committees, including the enterprise risk management capabilities group, and contributes to product development with the American Excess Insurance Exchange. She is a fellow in Texas Health’s Leading Innovation for Tomorrow program.

• Minda Garcia

Vice President of the Customer Experience Center at Allina Health (Minneapolis). With over 20 years at Allina Health, Ms. Garcia leads the 24/7 Customer Experience Center, enhancing patient access to care through various channels. She collaborates with clinical and operational leaders to ensure consistent customer experiences and prioritizes the development of entry-level employees into clinical or leadership roles. Her initiatives have streamlined operations, reducing reliance on external vendors, and she emphasizes health equity to ensure broad community access to services. In 2021, she was awarded the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST Forum Award.

• Omar Gonzalez

Vice President of the Puerto Rico/Caribbean Region for Orlando Health (Fla.). Mr. Gonzalez oversees strategic development, operational performance, and organizational success in the Puerto Rico/Caribbean region. He joined Orlando Health in 2008 and has held various leadership roles, including assistant vice president of technology strategy and design. His efforts have focused on improving IT systems and patient care coordination. Notably, he played a crucial role in the acquisition of Doctors’ Center Hospital in 2022 and the expansion of Orlando Health’s presence in Puerto Rico in 2023. His blend of IT expertise, operational insight, and cultural knowledge led to his promotion to vice president in 2023.

• Ricardo Hernández Rivera

CEO of Mennonite Health System (San Juan, Puerto Rico). Mr. Hernández leads Sistema de Salud Menonita, bringing over 41 years of experience across healthcare, finance, and nonprofit management. Since becoming CEO in 2019, he has focused on strategic planning, business development, and technology integration, overseeing the growth of multiple hospitals and clinics. He has implemented advanced systems like Meditech Expanse EHR to create a seamless health delivery model. Previously, Mr. Hernández served in various roles, including associate CEO and CFO, and has extensive experience in developing health programs for underserved populations.

• Victor Herrera

Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division (Orlando). Dr. Herrera oversees clinical operations and quality of care for a division encompassing 17 hospitals and emergency rooms, including AdventHealth Orlando. He is responsible for ensuring top patient safety and quality performance across the network, successfully leading clinical transformation initiatives and serving as the medical leader of AdventHealth’s AI advisory board. His mentorship of residents and medical students is integral to elevating care standards. Under his leadership, AdventHealth Orlando achieved a Leapfrog ‘A’ safety grade and was recognized as the top hospital in Florida by Healthgrades.

• Frank Jimenez

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for GE HealthCare (Chicago). Mr. Jimenez has served as general counsel since February 2022 and played a key role in the company’s successful spin-off from GE in January 2023. He oversees legal, regulatory, and governance functions, helping establish a new board of directors and build internal capabilities for GE HealthCare’s independence. With over three decades of legal experience in both government and private sectors, Mr. Jimenez is a strong advocate for Hispanic/Latino inclusion, serving as the executive sponsor of GE HealthCare’s Unidos colleague resource group. He was honored with the 2024 “General Counsel of the Year” award at the Lexology Awards.

• Ramonita Jiménez

Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for the Department of Patient Care at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center (Edison, N.J.). Dr. Jiménez oversees nursing practice and care delivery systems, focusing on quality care and patient outcomes. She collaborates with senior nursing leaders to implement strategic plans, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate professional development for nursing staff. Known for her innovative approach and bilingual capabilities, she manages budgetary operations and recruitment within her division, significantly advancing healthcare transformation at the medical center.

• America Jones

CEO of Kindred Hospital El Paso (Texas). Ms. Jones has led Kindred Hospital El Paso since 2017, overseeing strategic planning and patient care for the 72-bed facility specializing in medically complex cases. Under her leadership, the hospital has maintained a bilingual staff of 80% to serve its primarily Hispanic population. She previously served as chief clinical officer, where she reduced staff turnover and eliminated reliance on contract nursing. As the founding Chair of UNIDOS, she champions community health initiatives and mentors Latina women in healthcare.

• Ana Lopez-Blazquez

Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Baptist Health South Florida and CEO of Baptist Health Enterprises (Coral Gables, Fla.). Ms. Lopez-Blazquez leads strategy development and execution, focusing on growth, brand management, and enhancing patient experience. She serves as the chief strategic advisor to the president and CEO and manages a diverse portfolio across four counties. Her collaboration with Florida International University aims to expand physician training and establish Baptist Hospital as a teaching hospital. With a long history in strategic planning, she has been with Baptist Health since 1987.

• Jose Lozano

Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer for Hackensack Meridian Health (Edison, N.J.). Mr. Lozano oversees strategic partnerships, marketing, and the organization’s facilities portfolio, managing significant health and wellness center projects. He plays a vital role in driving expansion and identifying key business opportunities. Previously, he was instrumental in integration strategies during the merger that formed the health network and served as CEO of Choose New Jersey. He returned to Hackensack Meridian Health in 2022, focusing on bridging private sector opportunities with healthcare delivery.

• Oscal Marroquin

Executive Vice President of UPMC and President of UPMC Physician Services Division (Pittsburgh). Dr. Marroquin leads over 5,000 physicians at UPMC, directing healthcare data and analytics initiatives to improve clinical outcomes. As an active cardiologist specializing in interventional cardiology, he combines administrative leadership with clinical practice. He contributes to outcomes research, holds a professorship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and significantly impacts both patient care and research within UPMC.

• Jose Mayorga

Executive Director for Family Health Centers at UCI Health (Orange, Calif.). Dr. Mayorga has advanced healthcare access for underserved communities, overseeing medical operations and innovative care models at federally qualified health centers. Under his leadership, the centers serve nearly 28,000 low-income Latino patients and have received national recognition for quality care. A family medicine specialist, he has secured over $15 million in grants, expanded facilities, and is involved in educating future healthcare leaders.

• Amaris McComas

Chief People Officer for TruBridge (Mobile, Ala.). Ms. McComas leads organizational development and human capital management for nearly 2,000 employees. With over 15 years in HR, she drives recruitment and employee engagement, fostering a people-first culture. As one of the few Latina chief people officers in the U.S., she advocates for diversity and inclusion, implementing new technology and career growth opportunities. An active community leader, she has been recognized for her initiatives supporting veterans and workforce diversity.

• Sergio Melgar

Executive Vice President and CFO for UMass Memorial Health (Worcester, Mass.). Mr. Melgar oversees finance, IT, and facilities, enhancing systemwide IT integration and financial operations. He is leading a 10-year master facilities roadmap to address community needs, including a recent 72-bed North Pavilion expansion. His collaborative approach has streamlined billing and collection processes, improving financial transparency. Under his guidance, the system has doubled liquidity and achieved an A-minus credit rating.

• Felipe Osorno

Chief Post-Acute Care Officer and Chief of Staff for Keck Medicine of USC (Los Angeles). Mr. Osorno leads the design and implementation of the post-acute care service line, enhancing care coordination and patient experience. As chief of staff, he drives systemwide improvement initiatives and oversees patient care operations. His achievements include significant increases in transfer center volume and community engagement, advocating for the Latinx LGBTQ+ community as an executive sponsor of employee resource groups.

• Julio Panza

Chief of Cardiology for WMCHealth Network (Valhalla, N.Y.). Dr. Panza leads a team of 22 specialists in advanced cardiovascular care, expanding programs to address critical heart conditions. He developed the same-day cardiology program for non-emergency issues, enhancing patient access to care. A seasoned cardiologist with over 35 years of experience, he has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles, contributing significantly to research and clinical practice.

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Link to Part 2.