Hector P. Garcia, M.D.
Click on photo to see pictorial exhibit

The Eighth Annual Hector P. Garcia M.D. Awards Ceremony luncheon (click here to read about the luncheon) was held on Sept. 15 to honor the memory of UTMB alumnus Hector Garcia and recognize his crusade for civil rights and equal access to health care for all Texans regardless of race, ethnicity or financial status.
Dr. Ninfa Cavazos, UTMB alumnus, physician, attorney and community leader was the featured speaker.

Prior to Dr. Cavazos' presentation, the winner of the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Cultural Competence Award was announced. Students of all four schools were invited to enter the essay contest, as they are each year. The author of the winning essay had to demonstrate an understanding of cultural competence and its relevance to his or her ability to work with, conduct research with and care for a culturally diverse population. Honorable mention essayists were also announced at the event.

The winning essay this year was submitted by Christie D. Huynh and was entitled "The Importance of Cultural Competency: A Nursing Student Perspective". Christie is a student in the School of Nursing.

Honorable Mention was awarded to Omerine Yembe (School of Medicine) and Tran Cassandra Huynh (School of Medicine). All three essays can be found by clicking on the links below.

The Importance of Cultural Competence: A Nursing Student Perspective
by Christie Huynh

Shovel or Syringe: Cultural Competence, Durban South Africa
by Omerine Yembe

Dr. Hector Garcia Cultural Competence Essay
by Tran Cassandra Huynh

Sponsors
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, the Hector P. Garcia Committee, Office of Student Services, and the Office of the President.