P&S BALSO

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Happy almost Black History Month! Join us next Thursday, February 9 at 6:00 pm in Bard Hall Lounge (50 Haven Avenue) as we hear from Harriet A. Washington. Dinner will be served.

RSVP by this Friday 2/3 here: https://surveymonkey.com/r/NHVHHWH

URGENT: City Harvest needs 20 additional volunteers for our mobile market this Thursday morning at Dyckman Houses. We had a group cancel their volunteer commitment. At this market, we distribute free fresh produce to the community. Volunteers are needed from 8:45am-12noon. If you can help, email [email protected]. Thank you & please spread the word!

HAPPY HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH!

Join P&S BALSO this month in celebrating Latinx culture and the many contributions of Latinx to our society!

Throughout the month (September 15- October 15), be sure to visit this page to learn more about upcoming events at CUMC as well as to learn about ways Latinx have contributed to medicine and beyond!

To Kick off the Month: Meet Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias

Helen Rodriguez-Trias (1929-2011) was born in New York City in 1929, and spent much of her childhood between NYC and Puerto Rico. She faced tremendous discrimination as a Puerto Rican child growing up in NYC, being placed in special education classes just because of her heritage.

She later attended the University of Puerto Rico, graduating in 1957. As a college student, she began to find her voice as an activist and became involved in issues regarding freedom of speech and Puerto Rican independence. After college, she went to the University of Puerto Rico's medical school, where she could combine her two passions: "science and people."

After graduating in 1960 with her MD and as a peds resident, she established the first newborn care center in Puerto Rico, and the hospital, under her leadership, saw the newborn death rate decrease by 50% in its first 3 years.

In the 1970s, Dr. Rodriguez-Trias came back to NYC to work as a community peds doctor in the South Bronx's Lincoln Hospital. There, she lobbied for culturally sensitive patient care and for all workers, regardless of position or education, to have a voice in the administration.

As a physician-advocate, the 70s saw Dr. Rodriguez-Trias bloom into a champion for women's health. One of her greatest fights was that against sterilization abuse-- the unethical practice of sterilizing women without their full consent that disproportionately targeted women of color, women with disabilities, and women of a lower SES.

In her fight, Dr. Rodrguez-Trias co-founded the following:
- The Committee to End Sterilization Abuse
- The Women's Caucus of the American Public Health Association
- The Committee for Abortion Rights and Against Sterilization Abuse
- The Hispanic Caucus of the American Public Health Association
Through her efforts, she helped to draft and pass the federal sterilization guidelines in 1979, which required informed and written consent in the patient's native language.

During the 1980's, she played an important role in the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, serving as the medical director for the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute where she focused her efforts on women with HIV. All of her advocacy work for the underserved and most vulnerable patient populations made her the natural choice to serve as the President of the American Public Health Association-- becoming the 1st Latina to do so.

Her illustrious career was celebrated on January 8, 2001, when she was honored by President Bill Clinton, who awarded her with the Presidential Citizen's Medal, the 2nd highest civilian award.

Unfortunately, Dr. Rodriguez-Trias passed away in December 2001 after a battle with cancer. While she may no longer be with us, she will not soon be forgotten. And today, we honor her spirit, her courage, and her selflessness. May we all carry on her legacy, and serve our patients not only as clinicians, but as their strongest advocates.

Sources:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_273.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Rodr%C3%ADguez_Tr%C3%ADas

In the wake of the tragic loss of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, and so many others it is of incredible importance to reaffirm the value of Black lives: as our patients, as our classmates, and as our fellow citizens. Below is a resource on how to practice in the affirmation that














https://hkalodimos.wordpress.com/2016/07/15/affirming-the-value-of-black-lives/

Affirming the Value of Black Lives In the wake of Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile’s untimely deaths at the hands of police, there is renewed focus on how we might remake our society into one which upholds and affirms the …

Thank you all so much for coming out to the Jazz Mixer last night! Photobooth pictures are up!!