AAHHE Outstanding Support of Hispanic Issues Award

Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH is a health equity pioneer who has achieved local, state, national, presidential, and international recognition for her successes in reducing Latino cancer health disparities and championing system and policy changes that promote health equity for Latinos. As chair and full professor of the Department of Population Health Sciences at UT Health San Antonio, a Hispanic-Serving Institute, Ramirez leads a multidisciplinary team of public health researchers, data scientists, and communication specialists in addressing the cancer experience of Latinos. As leader of community outreach at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Ramirez has implemented system changes that have enhanced surveillance of the South Texas cancer burden, improved equity and diversity in cancer clinical trial recruitment, and engaged the community in clinical research and preventive cancer care. Ramirez also leads the communication program of Salud America! (www.salud-america.org; @SaludAmerica), a national network of over 500,000 community, school, and healthcare leaders who are fueled with content and tools to advocate for equitable changes in policies and systems related to healthcare access, housing, transportation, and social cohesion in Latino communities. Salud America!’s core members have led 275 health policy changes. Dr. Ramirez has been recognized by the Society of Behavioral Medicine, the Obama White House, the National Academy of Medicine, and more. Ramirez is a native of Laredo, Texas.