El MGH celebra sus empleados latinos (The MGH celebrates its Latino employees)

The national theme of Latino Heritage Month 2007, "Hispanic Americans Making a Positive Impact on American Society," holds special relevance for the MGH, where Latinos represent the fastest-growing segment of the hospital's workforce. The MGH celebrated its seventh annual Latino Heritage Month from Sep. 15 to Oct. 15 with a special visit from David "Big Papi" Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox and the presentation of the Ernesto Gonzalez Award for Outstanding Service to the Latino Community. These events were organized by the MGH Latino Heritage Planning Committee, which includes volunteers from the Multicultural Affairs Office, Patient Care Services, Human Resources and the Chelsea and Revere HealthCare Centers.

The speaking engagement featuring Ortiz took place Sept. 27 in the O'Keeffe Auditorium. Jeff Davis, senior vice president for Human Resources, introduced Ortiz, remarking on his athletic talent and commitment to children's health in his
hometown of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Ortiz thanked the MGH
for the invitation to speak at the event and encouraged audience members to recognize the many Latinos who have positively affected their community through service and hard work. Ortiz's visit benefited the "Merengue" art exhibit at the Museum of Afro-American History, which is supported by the MGH and slated to open in 2008.

The signature event of Latino Heritage Month was the third annual presentation of the Ernesto Gonzalez Award Oct. 9. In 2005, Ernesto Gonzalez, MD, of MGH Dermatology, was recognized by the hospital for his contributions to Latino patients and families at the MGH and the surrounding communities, and the award has carried his name ever since. This year it was presented to Claribell Diaz, RN, and David Marquez of Police, Security and Outside Services. Diaz, who has worked on White 6 since 1998, is chair of the Multicultural Nursing Group and has mentored many individuals at the MGH as well as students from the University of Massachusetts. Marquez, who also has worked for the MGH since 1998, has been involved with many initiatives to motivate and guide Latino youth. Gonzalez presented the award to both, and the ceremony concluded with ethnic food provided by Merengue Restaurant and musical entertainment by Rumbanama.

Planning committee members with Ortiz, from left, Luz Betancourt; Katia Canenguez; Yulhader Revere, RN; Diaz; Carmen Vega-Barachowitz; Ivonny Niles, RN; Araminta Romero; Ortiz; Lourdes Sanchez; Digna Gerena; and Elena Olson, JD.