National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period.
At first it may seem awkward this observation doesn’t follow a traditional calendar month, but the dates make perfect sense! September 15 is set as the starting date for the month as it is important for many reasons. It is the independence anniversary for Latin American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. From here onwards, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Dia de la Raza or Columbus Day also falls within this month on October 12.
NOAH is proud to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions to medicine brought forth by Hispanic healthcare pioneers. Watch The Beat over the next four weeks for weekly articles highlighting these stories.
Empowering Millions
Dr. Delgado is a Cuban-American who immigrated to the US as a child and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She holds an MA in psychology from New York University (1975), a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, and an MS in Urban and Policy Sciences from SUNY Stony Brook (1981). Her career has been focused on bridging scientific health efforts to benefit Hispanics’ well-being.
Her influential public service work began in 1979 at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). She contributed to the development of the 1985 Heckler Report, one of the first US government efforts to investigate racial and ethnic health disparities. The report highlighted the need for more comprehensive health data collection for minority groups due to the high proportion of deaths linked to health disparities.
After her DHHS tenure, Dr. Delgado continued her mission, becoming the President and CEO of the Coalition of Spanish Speaking Mental Health Organizations (now the National Alliance for Hispanic Health). This organization is one of the largest and oldest providers of health and human services to Hispanics in the U.S. Under her leadership, it initiated environmental health and technology programs for community-based organizations.
Dr. Delgado remains committed to public service and continues to serve in various advisory roles, dedicating her life to advancing the health of diverse communities.
