Today we would like to highlight just a few of the many men and women who have changed the health sciences professions.
Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, PhD, RN (1920-2010): Changing the face of nursing
Ildaura Murillo-Rohde who, after witnessing many hispanic communities being treated by mostly non-hispanic providers, was dismayed at what she saw. Determined to change this,, she created the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) in 1975.
“I saw that I was the only Hispanic nurse who was going to Washington to work with the federal government, review research and education grants, etc.,” Murillo-Rohde later noted. “I looked behind me and thought: ‘Where are my people?’”
Not only did she create the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Dr. Rodhe was also the first Hispanic dean of nursing at NYU. Read more about Dr. Rohde’s accomplishments:
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses: Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, PhD, RN, FAAN
- Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health: Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, PhD, RN, FAAN
José Celso Barbosa, MD (1857-1921): the “father of the Puerto Rican statehood movement.”
José Celso Barbosa was no stranger to discrimination. Despite this, his determination did not falter in his attempts to help others.
In 1875, Barbosa left his home of Puerto Rico to New York City. After a brush with pneumonia, he became interested in the field of medicine. Unfortunately, university officials rejected his application, stating that they would not accept students of color.
Undeterred, Barbosa graduated from the University of Michigan as the first Puerto Rican to receive a Medical degree in the United States.
He continued to care for soldiers during the Spanish - American war and through the Red Cross he was able to treat many poor patients in Puerto Rico. He articulated that there was a need for employer based health care insurance, which was a radical idea at the time.
Later in his career, Barbosa founded a party that urged U.S. statehood for Puerto Rico. For that leadership, Barbosa has been dubbed the “father of the Puerto Rican statehood movement.” Read more about Dr. Barbosa’s accomplishments:
- Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture: Barbosa y Alcalá, José Celso (1857–1921)
- BlackPast: JOSÉ BARBOSA (1857-1921)
