Elena Rios
Born
Elena V. Rios

1955 (age 68–69)
Alma materStanford University
University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine
OccupationPhysician
Years active1989–present

Elena V. Rios (born 1955) is an American physician and public health advocate.[1][2] She currently serves as the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Hispanic Medical Association.[3][4][5] She also leads the National Hispanic Health Foundation, focusing on educational and research initiatives related to Hispanic health issues.[6][7]

Early life and education

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Rios was born in 1955 in Los Angeles, California.[1] She attended Stanford University, where she studied human biology and public administration, and founded a recruitment program for minority students.[1] Later, she earned an M.S.P.H. in health planning and policy analysis and a Doctor of Medicine from the UCLA School of Medicine.[1][8] She completed her residency in internal medicine at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose and White Memorial Medical Center in East Los Angeles in 1990.[1] In 1992, she finished her NRSA Primary Care Research Fellowship at the UCLA Division of General Internal Medicine.[9]

Career

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In 1989, Rios founded the National Network of Latin American Medical Students and played a pivotal role in establishing the National Hispanic Medical Association in 1994, becoming its president in 1998.[1] She also served as a president of the Chicano/Latino Medical Association of California.[2]

In 1993, Rios was appointed Coordinator of Outreach Groups for the White House National Health Care Reform Task Force. From 1992 to 1994, she worked as a policy researcher for the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.[9]

Rios served as Advisor for Regional and Minority Women's Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health from 1994 to 1998, and as executive director of Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools from 1998 to 2004.[9]

Rios is a member of several boards and committees, including the Better Medicare Alliance, National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, Centene Health Policy Advisory Committee, and the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Hispanic Advisory Council.[9][10] She has been involved with organizations including the American College of Physicians, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Society of Medical Administrators.[9]

Recognition

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Rios has received several awards, including the American Association of Indian Physicians Appreciation Award in 1995 and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health Award in 1998.[1] She was also recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine in 2001.[1] In 2006, Stanford University inducted her into the Minority Alumni Hall of Fame.[9][6] She was named a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine in 2007 and of the American College of Physicians in 2016.[9][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Changing the Face of Medicine | Elena V. Rios".
  2. ^ a b "Elena V. Rios Named Top 100 Latina Powerhouse 2020". HOLA! USA. September 18, 2020.
  3. ^ "Candidates Courting Hispanic Vote". The New York Times.
  4. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/07/26/study-paints-bleak-picture-of-immigrant-health-care/33baef97-72c6-43ff-9f3a-3e655c55a5d2/
  5. ^ "Hispanic Medical Assn Urges Action on Zika, Need for More Latino Docs". NBC News. April 25, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "Latino Empowerment: Elena Rios". March 4, 2022.
  7. ^ "Latino Leaders". Latino Leaders. January 15, 2018.
  8. ^ "Alzheimer's Association".
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "Elena Rios biography" (PDF).
  10. ^ "Elena V. Rios, MD, MSPH, FACP". Latinx Center of Excellence.