Hispanic Officer Advisory Committee

Subcommittees

Chair: CDR Israel Garcia - IGarcia@hrsa.gov
Co-Chair: LCDR Gustavo Miranda - Gustavo.Miranda@ice.dhs.gov

Solicit nominations for the Juan Carlos Finlay Award
Select awardees, prepare letters, order award plaques in time for presentation at the USPHS Scientific Symposium
Develop certificates of appreciation to give at year's end to acknowledge efforts made by HOAC members
Assists the Chair in preparation of the Special Assignment Awards

Chair: CDR Cristina Veloso Cardemil - Cristina.Cardemil@nih.gov
Co-Chair: LT Orbelin Montez-Zamano - Orbelin.Montes@ice.dhs.gov

Revise to mirror and align standardized format used by MOLC
Ensure committee practices are in line with charter & by laws
Forward changes to the HOAC Charter and by laws to the Surgeon General for final approval

Chair: CDR Michelle Rodriguez - Michelle.Rodriguez@fda.hhs.gov
Co-Chair: LT Sergio Rodriguez - pze7@cdc.gov

Update and improve HOAC website periodically
Promote HOAC through HOAC’s website and periodic social media postings (Facebook)
Release a biannual newsletter that showcases HOAC activities

Chair: LCDR Joshua Medero-Padin - Joshua.Medero-Padin@hhs.gov
Co-Chair: LCDR Carlos Gonzales Mercado - Carlos.Gonzalezmercado@fda.hhs.gov

Develop and maintain a HOAC readiness roster of officers
Offer monthly HOAC ‘Deployment Spotlights’ to showcase various deployment opportunities and lessons learned
Implement language proficiency testing standards to be used by DCCPR/RDB
Support National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care
Launch first-ever HOAC community outreach event during Hispanic Heritage Month
Disseminate and analyze Unaccompanied Minor survey to assess language proficiency and cultural competency
Lead Ebola Response Needs Assessment and AAR for HOAC (also have reached out to MOLC/CMAGs)
Launch a HOAC Spanish language practice program
Launch Quarterly “Despliegue” Newsletter to provide resources to support officer development in cultural competence, language skills, and personal readiness all skills needed during deployments that require Spanish language and Hispanic cultural competence

Chair: LCDR Jorge G. Muñiz-Ortiz - JMunizortiz@hrsa.gov
Co-Chair: LCDR Marcia Fields - Marcia.Fields@fda.hhs.gov

Work on Hispanic Heritage Month: identify possible activities to reach out to the Hispanic Community or to showcase the positive impact of PHS on Hispanic Health, or the accomplishments of HOAC members
Opportunities at Health Fairs to educate the community
Maintain list of involvements in these activities by HOAC members
Provide guidance and support to all HOAC members in career development
Monitor issues and concerns in career development/advancement
Plan and execute social events to build officership and camaraderie among Hispanic/Latin American officers

Chair: CDR Juana Figueroa - j2figueroa@bop.gov
Co-Chair: LCDR Steven Galvez - Steven.Galvez@fda.hhs.gov

Coordinate all activities related to the solicitation, nomination, and selection of voting members to HOAC
Prepare membership packets for nominated voting members and complete selection process by September 1st
Collaborate with HOAC’s Secretary to maintain a current HOAC membership roster and appointment terms
Ensure newly elected voting members receive their OSG Appointment Letters
Execute a structured and effective HOAC mentoring program to facilitate professional growth and development of mentees

Chair: LCDR Bryan Wilson - Bryan.Wilson@hhs.gov
Co-Chair: LT Ana Lauer - ybp6@cdc.gov

Develop recruitment material targeting universities with predominantly Hispanic populations, Hispanic student organizations within large universities, and Hispanic professional organizations
Contact universities and provide materials to educate young professionals about PHS
Identify recruitment opportunities and keep track of services provided
Work with MOLC workgroup on minority recruitment and retention

Page Last Modified on 5/4/2023