Native Laredoan Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at the the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio and a leading health disparities researcher, has been named chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, announced Dr. Robert Hromas, dean of the Long School of Medicine.
The appointment is effective June 1.
Dr. Hromas also announced that the department will be renamed the Department of Population Health Sciences and
will continue to provide services in all biological and medical analytical areas. It will also focus on efforts to use analytical tools to enhance the health of the unique populations in San Antonio and South Texas.
Dr. Ramirez will continue to serve as director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research, which she founded in 2006, and as associate director of cancer prevention at the Mays Cancer Center. She is also the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Endowed Chair in Cancer Healthcare Disparities and Outreach, and the Dielmann Chair in Health Disparities Research and Community Outreach.
“Dr. Ramirez is an internationally recognized health disparities researcher conducting behavioral and communications projects to reduce cancer, increase screening rates and clinical trial participation, prove the efficacy of patient navigation for cancer patients, prevent tobacco use, and improve healthy lifestyles among U.S. Latinos,” Dr. Hromas said.
DR. RAMIREZ’S HEALTHY EQUITY RESEARCH
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. This has helped save their 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.
Ramirez also directs Quitxt, a smartphone quit smoking service for young adults in South Texas.
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. The 2019 Éxito! cohort is set for training in June 2019.
DR. RAMIREZ’S SERVICE
Ramirez is a Susan G. Komen Scholar and is on the scientific advisory board for LIVESTRONG.
In Texas, she is on the San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council and is Board President of the The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST).
Her recognition includes:
- 2007: Election to the National Academy of Medicine
- 2011: White House Champion of Change
- 2014: APHA Everett M. Rogers Public Health Communication Award
- 2018: Icons in Healthcare Award from CentroMed
- 2019: Lifetime Achievement Award in Health Equity from the Society of Behavioral Medicine
- 2019: Bluebonnet Award of the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
The Nixon High School graduate earned M.P.H. and Dr.P.H. degrees from UT Health Science Center at the Houston School of Public Health.
She is the daughter of the late Filiberto and Zaida G. Gutierrez. She is married to longtime educator David Ramirez. They have three children — Nicolas, Ameli Zaida, and Marco.
Dr. Amelie has been providing leading edge research in the health science field for over two decades. She is recognized nationally & internationally as an authority in the field of health as it affects our population in South Texas. Her latest report “Salud America,” is a guidepost for housing, transportation, and green spaces. She is truly a treasure for Laredo!