California declares first Latino and Latina Physician Day

In a recent government meeting, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 128 was introduced, aiming to designate October 1, 2024, as California's first Latino and Latina Physician Day. Assemblymember Doctor Arambula emphasized the critical need for diversity within the state's healthcare workforce, noting that while Latinos make up 40% of California's population, they only represent 7% of physicians. He highlighted the significant healthcare disparities resulting from this lack of representation, including higher rates of chronic diseases and maternal mortality among Latino communities. Arambula urged his colleagues to support the resolution, stating, \"You can't be what you can't see,\" and underscoring the importance of role models in healthcare.

The resolution received unanimous support, reflecting a collective acknowledgment of the need for a more representative medical workforce in California.

Following this, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 222 was presented by Doctor Weber, proposing to designate the fourth week of September as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week in California. Weber shared her personal journey as an HBCU graduate and highlighted the historical significance of these institutions, which were established to provide educational opportunities for African Americans during a time of segregation. She noted that HBCUs produce a substantial number of Black professionals, particularly in STEM fields, despite representing only 3% of higher education institutions.

Weber pointed out the economic impact of HBCUs, which contribute significantly to the Black economy and promote upward mobility. She called for support of ACR 222 to align California with national efforts to recognize the contributions of HBCUs, as proclaimed by President Biden for the last week of September.

Both resolutions reflect a commitment to enhancing diversity and representation in education and healthcare, addressing longstanding disparities within these critical sectors.