March 8, 2002

More than 100 MGH employees and community members filled the East Garden Room Feb. 27, exchanging introductions and sharing ideas at the inaugural Latino Networking Night at the MGH. Organized by the Latino Professional Network (LPN) and MGH staff, the evening created an opportunity for Latino professionals to meet and greet and learn about the wealth of economic, educational, employment and social opportunities in Massachusetts.

Latino Networking Night participants share smiles in the East Garden Room.

Founded in 1987, the LPN includes members from a broad range of industries and professions, ranging from science and health care to banking, communications, real estate and government. The group sponsors monthly networking events at companies throughout the Boston area and partners with local colleges and universities, leadership and diversity initiatives and other Latino professional organizations to maximize its outreach to the community.

"I could not be more thrilled about this event," says Oz Mondejar, a Partners Human Resources employee who works for the MGH and organized the event. "There are many similarities between the hospital and the LPN, and one that comes to mind is leadership. The LPN attracts qualified Latino/Hispanic candidates, and the MGH is a good employer that offers great opportunities. This is the beginning of an excellent partnership."

Joseph Betancourt, MD, of MGH Internal Medicine, the MGH Institute for Health Policy and the MGH Multicultural Affairs Office (MAO); Jeff Davis, senior vice president for MGH Human Resources; Ernesto Gonzalez, MD, of MGH Dermatology; and Elena Olson, program manager for the MAO, also spoke at the event. Richard Colon, president of the LPN and regional director of Public Affairs for Verizon, was the evening's emcee.

For more information about the LPN, contact Mondejar at (617) 726-5741.