Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15─Oct. 15

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine are proud to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to honor the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This celebration runs annually from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

With more than 7% of our workforce identifying as Hispanic or Latino, Penn State Health is committed to fostering an inclusive environment. The Hispanic Professional Association and the Multicultural Business Employee Resource Group (BERG), in collaboration with the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, are leading several initiatives for both employees and the community throughout the month.

Health screening event

In partnership with Latino Connection, Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine will host a preventive health screening event:

• Saturday, Sept. 14
• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Tri-County Community Action Commission, 1514 Derry St., Harrisburg

This event coincides with the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration organized by the Latino Hispanic American Community Center. Services will include blood pressure screenings, glucose tests, a “Talk to the Doctor” opportunity, and information and resources on mental wellness. The event will feature music, food trucks and culturally tailored cooking demonstrations focused on nutritional education. 

Access to care resources

Throughout the month, Penn State Health will provide guidance to patients on how to access telehealth services and to employees on how to access free services. These efforts help to reduce barriers that Hispanic and Latino families may face in achieving optimal health and wellness.

Provider spotlights

In collaboration with abc27, Penn State Health will showcase three provider spotlight videos highlighting the contributions of our Hispanic and Latino health care professionals.

Learn what Dr. Raul Vazquez Urrutia, a second-year resident, is doing to improve care for Hispanic patients at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Culturally themed meals

Sodexo, Penn State Health’s food service vendor, will offer culturally themed meals at each Penn State Health hospital on Thursday, Sept. 19 and Friday, Sept. 20.

Artistic and musical celebrations

The Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is teaming up with the Penn State College of Medicine Department of Humanities to include art and music in each regional celebration, reflecting the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Professional Association’s Outstanding Achievement Award

Penn State Health is excited to introduce the first Premio al Logro de la Asociación de Profesionales Hispanos (Hispanic Professional Association’s Outstanding Achievement Award).

The award is open to all Hispanic and Latino Penn State Health employees, recognizing significant contributions that have directly benefited the workplace, employees, patients and the community. Include a list of the nominee’s current affiliations, memberships and volunteer activities.

To nominate a colleague or yourself, email diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu by Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Join Hispanic Professional Association

We encourage you to join the Hispanic Professional Association and/or the Multicultural BERG. To get involved, please complete this short survey.

Hispanic Heritage Month virtual background 

You can show your support for Hispanic Heritage Month by downloading and using this virtual background for your Teams and Zoom meetings.

To add and set a new background in Microsoft Teams:

• Open Teams and click “Calendar” in the left sidebar.
• Click “Meet now” at the top right of the window and then “Start meeting.” This will take you into a meeting by yourself.
• Click “Join now.”
• Click “…More” in the top menu bar and then “Video effects.”
• In the right pane, select “Add new” and choose the background image from your files.
• Click the “Open” button.
• Scroll to the bottom of the background thumbnails to select your newly added image.
• Click “Apply.”

About Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded to a month-long observance in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. It honors the vital contributions Hispanic and Latino communities have made to the nation.

Hispanic Heritage Month aligns with the independence days of several Central American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, on Sept. 15. This month-long celebration pays tribute to the vibrant cultures of the Hispanic community and honors their enduring resilience and determination.

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