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Esperanza College to Host Second Annual “Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium”

Tweet this: @Esperanza_us and @EsperanzaEdu4u will host city-wide Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium to celebrate and encourage diversity in the health field. The high school students will hear from health experts and participate in science activities! Info: http://bit.ly/EspHSS18

Philadelphia, PA– October 9, 2018Esperanza College of Eastern University is pleased to announce Dr. Jack Ludmir, Senior Vice President of Physician Engagement and Integration, and Associate Provost for Community and Global Initiatives at Jefferson Health System will keynote its second annual Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium presented by Jefferson. The symposium will bring together nearly 150 high school students from the Greater Philadelphia area with professionals in the health field for a day of networking, panel discussions, and science activities at Esperanza’s state of the art laboratories. 

“There is a need for a more diverse workforce in the health field. Contributions from diverse professionals will allow for a better experience between the patient and the health professional, as well as decrease the issue of health care disparities,” Nilsa R. Graciani, Ph.D. Director of STEM and Medical Assisting at Esperanza College explained. 

In order to help close the diversity gap, Dr. Graciani explained, it is important to give access to bright and talented young students to health care professionals who look like them, who have experienced similar struggles and yet have succeeded in their field.  

“Our goal is that through partnerships with wonderful individuals and organizations as well as the help of our generous sponsors we can offer the students an impactful experience that inspires them to pursue a career in the health care field,” Dr. Graciani said. 

The Philadelphia schools in attendance include: Esperanza Academy Charter School, Esperanza Cyber Charter School, Olney Charter High School, Philadelphia High School for Girls, Franklin Learning Center, Abraham Lincoln High School, El Centro De Estudiantes, and Imhotep Institute Charter School as well as Esperanza College students.  

The Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium will be held on Friday, October 12th from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 pm at Esperanza College located at 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 (Bristol street entrance). The Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium is presented by Jeffersonand sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of AmericaAetnaEinstein Health Care Network, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Penn Medicine

For media inquiries, please contact Joy Huertas at jhuertas@esperanza.us

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Esperanza is a national community-based organization founded in 1987 by Rev. Luis Cortés and the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity with the biblical mandate to serve and advocate for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). Beginning with a local initiative, with programs targeted to address the unmet needs of North Philadelphia’s Hispanic community, Rev. Cortes is now sought by national and international leaders alike on issues of economic and workforce development, housing, immigration, and education. Under his leadership, Esperanza has grown from a small 20-person operation to a $40 million organization with more than 450 employees. Follow us on social media @esperanza_us on Twitter and InstagramEsperanzaUSA on Facebook and Esperanza US on YouTube.  For more information, please visit www.esperanza.us.

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Download official press release here. 

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