Bridging the Gap: Understanding Latino Health at the Adelantando Healthcare Conference

The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute is excited to host the Adelantando: Latino Healthcare Conference on Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Bethany Hall. This dynamic event, organized by Bridge to Visibility, an all-volunteer not for profit, will bring together local leaders and nationally recognized figures to educate and inspire both current and future generations. The conference is open to all and offers a unique opportunity to explore the health issues impacting the Latino community through various dimensions of wellness.
 
The conference will kick off with a keynote address by Juan Rios, LCSW, associate professor of social work at Seton Hall University. His talk, titled “Empowered Wellness: Navigating the Journey from Vulnerability to Liberation in Healthcare,” will set the tone for the day.
 
Throughout the event, attendees can participate in multiple sessions covering a wide range of topics—from speech-language communication issues to burnout, health equity, women's health, and the financial abuse facing the Latino community.
 
Dave Ortiz, M.B.A-HCA, administrator/CEO of Crystal Run Ambulatory Surgery Center-SCA Health affiliate and president of the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives Tri-State Chapter, will deliver the endnote. He will share a thought-provoking address on “The Latino Aversity to Healthcare” and provide insights into the challenges Latino communities face and how they can be eliminated.
 
A key highlight of the conference will be the Lunch Awards Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of remarkable leaders in the Latino community. Dr. Natasha Corbitt, a native of New Jersey and pediatric surgeon at UT Southwestern Medical Center, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition holds even more significance as it coincides with Black History Month. Dr. Corbitt is the first African American female pediatric surgeon in the U.S. to hold both an M.D. and Ph.D. She led groundbreaking research that identified a gene responsible for biliary atresia and created the first mouse model to mimic the condition. Additionally, she pioneered the FIIND Technique, a non-invasive method for diagnosing the condition in infants, which is now being launched in a nationwide study.
 
Attendees will have the chance to meet this proud Afro-Latina and hear more about her incredible journey during her session, “16 Carriages Driving Away, After I Watch Them Bring All My Dreams to Stay” – a nod to Beyoncé.
 
The event will also honor Amanda Parrish Block, the leader of Summit’s Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community’s Essentials (GRACE), with the Service Award. Under her leadership, GRACE provides critical assistance to 1,133 Latino and mixed-Latino households who financial insecurity. Amanda and her dedicated team coordinate a large-scale nutrient dense food and supply distribution with a stabilizing service platform for 700 families every week.
 
The final award of the day, the Healthcare Hero Award, will be presented to Dr. Rosario Zambrano, founder and provider at Essex Pediatrics and Pediatrics of Morristown. Dr. Zambrano has been recognized by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn for her outstanding work with the Reach Out and Read program, where she gifts books to every patient. A passionate advocate for holistic healthcare, Dr. Zambrano encourages patients and families to unplug, reconnect with nature, and prioritize quality time together.
 
For more information and to register, please visit the conference’s event page.

Registration is required; however, if the registration fee is a barrier to attendance, please email Director of Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute Lori Tarke at Lori.Tarke@shu.edu  for a complimentary admission promo code.

Categories: Health and Medicine