As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15, I find myself reflecting on the contributions of Hispanic healthcare pioneers who have transformed the way we care for one another. I’m always learning, and I’d love to share with you some remarkable individuals whose dedication and vision have enhanced healthcare for all of us—especially those in our communities who need it most.
Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde: A Trailblazer in Nursing
Born in Panama in 1920, Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde began her journey in healthcare with a simple but powerful motivation: “to help.” During World War II, she joined the army, and this experience set her on a path that would change nursing forever.
After the war, Dr. Murillo-Rohde earned her nursing degree from the Medical and Surgical Hospital School of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas, in 1948. She continued her education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychiatric nursing, and later became the first Latina to receive a PhD from NYU—a groundbreaking achievement that opened doors for countless others.
Working in psychiatry, Dr. Murillo-Rohde noticed something troubling: while the majority of patients were Hispanic, very few healthcare providers shared their cultural background. She witnessed firsthand how this lack of cultural understanding created barriers to care, with patients feeling disconnected from their healthcare teams and sometimes avoiding treatment altogether.
Recognizing this gap, Dr. Murillo-Rohde took action. When the traditional nursing associations weren’t addressing the needs of Hispanic nurses, she founded the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Through her tireless work and dedication, she created pathways to healthcare careers for Hispanic nurses that simply hadn’t existed before.
Dr. Murillo-Rohde passed away on September 10, 2010, but her legacy lives on in every Hispanic nurse who followed in her footsteps and in the improved care that comes from cultural understanding and humility in healthcare.
Dr. Miguel Arce Rentería: Advancing Neuropsychology and Aging Research
Another remarkable Hispanic healthcare pioneer worth celebrating is Dr. Miguel Arce Rentería, whose work has been particularly meaningful for our senior community. Dr. Arce Rentería has dedicated his career to neuropsychology, with a special focus on how cognitive aging affects Hispanic and Latino older adults.
As a researcher and clinician, Dr. Arce Rentería has worked to address the unique challenges that Hispanic seniors face when it comes to cognitive health and dementia care. His research has been instrumental in developing culturally appropriate assessment tools and interventions that better serve Hispanic families navigating memory care and cognitive changes.
What makes Dr. Arce Rentería’s work so valuable is his understanding that effective healthcare must consider not just medical symptoms, but also cultural context, language preferences, and family dynamics. For Hispanic families caring for aging loved ones, having healthcare professionals who understand their cultural values around family, respect, and care can make all the difference in the world.
A Legacy That Continues
Today, we understand more clearly than ever that cultural understanding and humility play an important role in healthcare—not only for the Hispanic population, but for everyone. When healthcare providers can connect with patients on a cultural level, trust is built, barriers are removed, and better health outcomes follow.
Thank you, Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde and Dr. Miguel Arce Rentería, for your contributions to improving healthcare and for paving the way for a more inclusive, understanding approach to caring for our communities. Your legacies remind us that the best healthcare happens when we see and honor the whole person—their background, their culture, and their unique needs.