Bienvenidos, Hispanic Heritage Month is here!

17 Sep 2024

By Susana Vargas Pinto, MD

September 15 to October 15 is a significant period dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions, history, and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This observance was officially established in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan, though its roots stretch back to the 1960s. The celebration offers an opportunity to reflect on the diverse heritage of Spanish-speaking countries and the impact these communities have had on the fabric of American society.

The timing of Hispanic Heritage Month is symbolic: September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The choice of this date as the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the historical and cultural significance of Latin American independence movements. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively, further anchoring this period in the history of the Hispanic world.

One of the central themes of Hispanic Heritage Month is the acknowledgment of the significant contributions of Hispanic Americans to various fields, including science, politics, art, and literature. In surgery, our field has evolved over time to include and support underrepresented minorities. While it’s challenging to pinpoint a single “first” movement, there have been several notable early efforts aimed at addressing disparities and fostering inclusion in our field.

As a recognition of the need for a collective voice and support system for Latino surgeons, the Latino Surgical Society (LSS) was founded in 2003. Its founding was driven by the realization that Latino surgeons faced unique challenges in their professional development, including issues related to mentorship, representation, and access to resources.

The LSS was established with several key objectives:

  1. To advocate for the interests of Latino surgeons within the broader surgical and medical communities.
  2. To provide educational and professional development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and networking events. Our biannual symposium was held at the University of Washington earlier this year.
  3. To foster mentorship relationships between experienced surgeons and those in training, helping to guide the next generation of Latino surgical professionals.
  4. To promote research in areas pertinent to Latino health and surgical practice, and to disseminate this knowledge through publications and conferences. The first issue highlighting the work of LSS researchers will be published in the American Journal of Surgery later this year.

Today, our organization continues to focus on expanding its reach and impact. Building partnerships with other surgical and medical organizations such as AWS is key to promoting diversity and inclusion. In partnership with the AWS, opportunities were created for our medical students and residents to attend the annual AWS meeting and the first co-sponsored visiting professorship program was launched this year. We are excited to announce that Dr. Mecker Moller will be our inaugural speaker and the selected host institution will be announced later this month. 

I hope these upcoming weeks can serve as a time for education, reflection, and appreciation of our values, and  foster a deeper understanding of the Hispanic communities that contribute to our cultural richness.

 

Susana Vargas Pinto, MD is a board-certified endocrine surgeon and current Latino Surgical Society (LSS) liaison to the AWS. She practices and lives with her husband and daughter in western Connecticut.

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