Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, has been selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Health Equity Special Interest Group of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
The Laredo native is recognized for substantial scholarly contributions to health equity research in behavioral medicine over her career.
A formal recognition will take place at the March 8 Health Equity Special Interest Group gathering at the 40th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine in Washington, D.C.
“I’m very thankful for this award from such a prestigious group as the Society of Behavioral Medicine, which is a recognition of our ongoing work to promote Latino health equity across the nation,” Ramirez said.
For more than 30 years, Ramirez gained experience developing research and communication models to improve Latino health locally and nationally.
Her studies have increased cancer screening and survivorship. Specifically, patient navigation reduced time to treatment and diagnosis for Latina breast cancer patients — measures that have helped save lives.
Ramirez currently directs the Salud America! national multimedia program, which fuels its network of 200,000 community and school leaders to drive healthy policy and system changes. These initiatives promote health equity and support for Latino families.
Quitxt, a smartphone-based quit smoking service for young adults in South Texas, is another project Ramirez directs.
She has trained/mentored 250+ Latinos in health fields and leads Éxito! training. The education and leadership program helps master’s-level students and professionals pursue a doctoral degree and cancer research career.
Ramirez is a Susan G. Komen Scholar and is on the scientific advisory board of LIVESTRONG. She is on the San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council. Her recognitions include: 2007 election to the National Academy of Medicine; 2011 White House Champion of Change; 2014 APHA Everett M. Rogers Public Health Communication Award; and 2018 Icons in Healthcare Award. She is president of board of the The Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas (TAMEST).
She earned M.P.H. and Dr.P.H. degrees from UT Health Science Center at the Houston School of Public Health.
Call to Action for Health Equity
She advises using the Salud America! program’s helpful Action Packs that contain tools for healthier schools, among them:
- Adding a Water Bottle Fountain at schools, which gives kids much- needed access to safe drinking water throughout the school day. This keeps kids hydrated and healthy while saving on the cost of buying bottled water.
- Start a School Food Pantry! that accepts, stores, and redistributes donated and leftover food to students.
- Make Your School Trauma-Sensitive! This free guide coaches school personnel to talk to decision-makers, build a support team, and craft a system to identify and support traumatized students.
Ramirez also suggests making a public comment to save the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is facing cuts that could affect 750,000 Latinos and others.
(Cliff Despres can be reached at Despres@uthscsa.edu)
Dr. Amelie has been doing this work for decades. Alhough recognized by her peers, those of us not in the health profession may not be fully aware of her 30 year commitment to making us healthier so we can live longer more fruitful lives. Never seeking the spotlight or credit for herself its great to see her recognized by her profession for her lifelong commitment to health excellence. Just one more Laredoan making a huge difference!! Kudos & congratulations to Dr Amelie Ramirez…….