Cultural Excellence Grand Rounds aim to improve care for Hispanic patients
(SACRAMENTO)
UC Davis Health’s Cultural Excellence Grand Rounds marked Hispanic Heritage Month and focused on improving care for Hispanic patients.
The event brought together nurses, health care professionals and community leaders. The Patient Care Services Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, the Center for Professional Practice of Nursing, and the Sacramento Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses hosted the event, held Sept. 9.
A group of attendees.
The seminar, Construyendo Puentes: Building Bridges: Improving Healthcare Outcomes for Hispanic Patients, highlighted how partnership, education and cultural understanding can advance health equity.
The two-hour program opened with an overview of Hispanic Heritage Month and the Sacramento chapter’s mission. DEI Council Chair Ana Onofre Leon described its work to support local communities, advance health equity and empower Hispanic nurses.
Educational sessions examined health challenges that disproportionately affect Hispanic communities. Martha Benavides, Sacramento NAHN president-elect and a UC Davis Health nurse practitioner, discussed diabetes management and culturally relevant patient education. Veronica Marquez, a clinical resource nurse on the wound care team, shared practical guidance on wound care for patients with diabetes.
A multidisciplinary panel shared experiences and best practices from clinical settings including labor and delivery, intensive care, pediatric oncology and transplant services. Panelists represented UC Davis Health, Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health.
Speakers Veronica Marquez and Martha Benavides
Their stories underscored the value of language access, family-centered care, cultural humility, trust and advocacy. These practices can strengthen communication and improve patients’ experiences and outcomes.
Monica Aguilar, a UC Davis Health nursing professional development specialist and Sacramento NAHN president, closed the program. She called for cultural understanding, collaboration and compassionate care to address representation gaps and expand opportunities for Hispanic nurses.
The event also gave attendees time to connect, celebrate Hispanic culture and recognize Hispanic health care professionals.
Events such as Cultural Excellence Grand Rounds show how education, collaboration and cultural awareness can improve care. A recording will soon be available as an e-learning module. Visit the CPPN website.
Attendees and panelists reflected on the program:
“I was honored to share practical, evidence-based and culturally relevant information to support nurses caring for diverse communities,” Benavides said. “I hope the presentation increased awareness of culturally responsive diabetes care and inspired nurses to pursue Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist certification.”
The panel session.
“It was meaningful to bring together Sacramento NAHN members from different specialties to share their experiences,” said Yanely Herrera, Sacramento NAHN secretary. “I learned so much from our speakers and panelists and am thankful to everyone who participated.”
“It was meaningful to share my experience as a first-generation ICU nurse,” Onofre Leon said. “I was proud to celebrate my culture and highlight the importance of culturally responsive care.”
“I was grateful to educate health care professionals about wound care for Hispanic patients with diabetes,” Marquez said. “The experience supported health education, prevention and culturally responsive care.”
“Special recognition goes to Misty Mandeville, whose leadership, dedication, and countless hours of coordination helped bring this meaningful program to life,” Aguilar added.
