PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — CBS News Philadelphia is thrilled to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month. In order to promote diversity in the medical field, a medical school in Wynnefield Heights is taking steps to increase Hispanic representation.
Looking towards the future, Dr. Arturo Bravo-Nuevo and Dr. Leslie Fernandez are determined to cultivate a more diverse medical community, starting on the campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“Medicine needs to embrace different cultures and places,” remarked Dr. Bravo-Nuevo.
These places include Spain, the home country of Bravo-Nuevo, and Puerto Rico, where Dr. Fernandez’s family resides. Both doctors assert that their backgrounds and personal struggles throughout their careers underscore the necessity for more inclusive environments, including within the doctor’s office.
“Just because we may not use the proper terminology doesn’t mean we lack knowledge,” Fernandez explained. “If anything, being bilingual makes us even more brilliant.”
To overcome cultural and language barriers, Dr. Bravo-Nuevo developed PCOM’s medical Spanish course in order to facilitate communication between students and patients.
“It’s always comforting to have someone who can welcome you in your own language,” stated Bravo-Nuevo.
In addition to language, Dr. Fernandez aims to inspire aspiring Hispanic medical professionals to pursue their dreams while maintaining their family values.
“You don’t have to abandon your family,” Fernandez affirmed. “I am just as connected to my family now as I was when I was growing up. That bond will never change.”
What they do hope to change, however, is the proportion of Hispanics choosing a career in medicine. To celebrate the achievements of their community, they are recognizing October 1 as National Latino Physician Day.
“Despite being a significant portion of the population, Hispanics only represent 6% of all clinicians,” Bravo-Nuevo highlighted. “This serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done.”
“We need more of our community members out there, assisting patients, because there simply aren’t enough of us,” Fernandez concluded.
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