Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

  • Name and Credentials: Raquel Fonseca, Patient Access, Broward Health Coral Springs

  • Length of service at Broward Health: Eleven years

  • My heritage is: Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican

  • This year, the theme of Hispanic Heritage Month is “Celebrating Untold Stories and Contributions of Hispanic Americans in Florida”. What is something you love about your Hispanic heritage/culture that you would like to share with Broward Health colleagues: Ecuador is one of the most diverse countries in the world. The diversity is due to the location of the country in the neotropics, the presence of the Andes, and the influence of the ocean’s currents on its coasts.

  • Who is a Hispanic figure you admire who has contributed to healthcare, society or directly to your life: In 2009, Sonia Sotameyer, a Puerto Rican woman, made history when former President Barack appointed her as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice.

 

  • Name and Credentials: Marilyn Emanuel, BSMT, Microbiology Supervisor, Broward Health Medical Center

  • Length of Service: 30 years

  • My heritage: Puerto Rican

  • Languages I speak: Spanish and English
     

  • An interesting fact about my culture’s history: Our culture is very diverse, with a mixture of Taino Indians, Spanish and African cultures. This blends lots of different traditions, foods, music and ethnicity. Famous Puerto Ricans,  include Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Roberto Clemente, Rita Moreno and Benicio del Toro.

  • Why is it important to seek out and value diverse perspectives in healthcare/in general: It is important to seek out and value diverse perspectives in healthcare/in general because everyone’s cultures and beliefs are different and we must learn and respect these differences and values to be able to understand and provide the best care possible according to their values and beliefs.

 

  • Name and Credentials: Luis Rodriguez, RN, Broward Health Coral Springs

  • Length of Service: Four years

  • My heritage: Puerto Rican

  • Languages I speak: Spanish and English
     

  • An interesting fact about my culture’s history: Puerto Ricans often proudly identify themselves as Boricua in recognition of their cultural heritage and the island’s Taino history. The word Boriken means “land of brave lords.” Before the Spaniards settled on the island, the indigenous population referred to their land as Boriken.

  • Who or what inspires you, professionally and personally: My faith in God and the love I have for my wife and son gives me the strength I need to give it my all every day.

 

 

  • Name and Credentials: Christa Overhage, RN

  • Title and Region: Wound Care Specialist, BHIP

  • Length of service at Broward Health: Five Years

  • My heritage is: Mexican

  • I can fluently speak the following languages: Spanish and English

  • This year, the theme of Hispanic Heritage Month is “Celebrating Untold Stories and Contributions of Hispanic Americans in Florida”. What is something you love about your Hispanic heritage/culture that you would like to share with Broward Health colleagues? My Hispanic Heritage has taught me the importance of family and teamwork. Which I feel is important to portray in these trying times to our BH Family.

  • Who or what inspires you, professionally or personally? Professionally, Dr. Bravo here in the wound center is a great inspiration. As a Hispanic man, he keeps his values at the forefront of his care and his patients become family.

  • Why is it important to seek out and value diverse perspectives in healthcare/in general? It is important for patients to feel that they are represented and that the hospital staff makes them feel comfortable voicing concerns or cultural boundaries that may occur during their care.