A forum for Latino physicians and physician assistants.
Latino Advisory Council
The 2020 WSMA House of Delegates passed policy establishing a Latino Advisory Council within the WSMA, a forum in which Latino physicians and physician assistants can support each other professionally, recruit other Latino physicians, and develop and inform advocacy strategies within the WSMA.
Questions? Write Aaron Waldkoetter at aaron@wsma.org to let us know about your interest in the section.
Join the Latino Online Community
The WSMA’s Latino Community is a private, convenient online community for Latino members of the WSMA. By joining the community, you’ll connect with Latino physicians and physician assistants from across the state for professional support, to facilitate discussion, and otherwise connect with your peers and colleagues and cultivate community.
Accessible using email, website, or mobile app, the Latino Community allows members to discuss issues of relevance with their peers, post and share updates and resources, connect one-on-one via private chat, see member profiles, and receive updates tailored to your specifications. If you’re a WSMA Latino member, join the community today and get connected!
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Learn About National Latino Physician Day
Co-founders Michael Galvez, MD, and Cesar Padillo, MD present a powerful case for change in medicine.
Drs. Micheal Galvez and Cesar Padillo share the research and their own personal stories that led them to create National Latino and Latina Physician Day. Now recognized nationally, the event was introduced by Dr. Galvez through legislation in 2023 to encourage the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support Latino medical students and aspiring students through increased funding, awareness, and retention programs.
Latino Advisory Council Members
Mabel Bodell, MD
Nephrology, Wenatchee
Dr. Bodell, also known as “La Doctora Mabel”, was born in Argentina and moved to Washington state in 2014 after spending time on the east coast. She works as a nephrologist in the Wenatchee area and serves as co-chair of the HEDI (Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Council at Confluence Health. She’s the recipient of several awards, including the “Golden Tennis Shoe Award” from US Senator Patty Murray.
Victoria Caldera
Medical student, WSU
Victoria Caldera is a second-year medical student at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, she immigrated to Washington State in 2006, where she learned to navigate cultural and language barriers firsthand. Victoria currently serves as President of the WSU chapter of LMSA and is passionate about working with underserved populations.
Brian Cedeño, MD
Family medicine resident at Swedish Cherry Hill-Carolyn Downs clinic
Husky 100
UW Latino Center for Health Fellow
Brian aspires to work with underserved communities to improve health outcomes and reduce the incidence of preventable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, COPD.
Jose Carlos Flores-Rodarte, MD
Family medicine, HealthPoint SeaTac, Seattle
Dr. Flores-Rodarte was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and grew up in the Central Coast of California. He is currently chief resident at the University of Washington’s Family Medicine Residency and has interests in serving Spanish-speaking underserved populations, as well as health policy and healthcare administration.
Adriana Linares, MD
Family practice, PeaceHealth Family Medicine Southwest, Vancouver
Dr. Adriana Linares was born in Colombia and moved to the United States to pursue Public Health education. She is the associate program director of the PeaceHealth Family Medicine Southwest located in Vancouver, WA. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in Informatics with the idea of becoming board certified to learn more about the use of Electronic Health Records and the end-users’ satisfaction with it.
Vivienne Meljen, MD
OBGYN, Sea Mar CHC, Vancouver Women’s Health Clinic, Vancouver
Dr. Meljen is the daughter of Cuban immigrants, speaks Spanish and works as an OB-GYN at Sea-Mar Community Health Clinics in Vancouver, WA. She has a special interest in minimally-invasive gynecologic surgery including fibroids and endometriosis as well as adolescent gynecology.
Leo Morales, MD, PhD
Internal Medicine, University of Washington
Leo Morales, MD, PhD is a professor of medicine and assistant dean with the Office for Healthcare Equity and Co-Director of the Latino Center for Health at the University of Washington. Dr. Morales’s research focuses on Latino Health, racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health and the measurement of patient-reported outcomes in diverse communities.
Jatniel Rodriguez
Medical student, PNWU
Jatniel is a second-year medical student at PNWU. He is a passionate advocate for Latino representation, equity, and active member of the Latin Medical Student Association at PNWU. His Dominican American background and commitment to serving underserved communities brings a unique perspective and drive to address issues of health care access and education.
Maria Rojas, MD, MPH
Internal medicine and nephrology, Franciscan Nephrology Associates at St. Joseph, Wenatchee
Maria Rojas, MD, MPH, was born and raised in Colombia where she went to medical school at University of El Rosario. She moved to the U.S. in 2004 to start internal medicine residency at Saint Elizabeth’s community hospital affiliated with Tufts university in Boston. Most recently she is practicing nephrology in Wenatchee.
Katina Rue, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP
Family medicine, Trios Health, Yakima
Dr. Rue was the first Latina and first osteopathic president of the WSMA, serving in that role from 2022-23. She leads the family medicine residency program at Trios Health in Kennewick, WA, in addition to serving on many state and regional boards and foundations.
Alan Urbina-Alvarez, MD
Gastroenterology, Franciscan Medical Group, Tacoma
Dr. Urbina-Alvarez is a gastroenterologist skilled in all areas of adult general gastroenterology. He is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Alina Urriola, MD, MPH
Family medicine, Vera Whole Health, Seattle
Dr. Urriola’s has provided care in the Puget Sound since 1998 and currently is the lead provider at Vera Sandpoint, an advanced primary care practice. In addition to her practice, she provides care at Lahai Health, a volunteer-based health care organization caring for the underserved in the Puget Sound, serves in the board of trustees of Bastyr University, and is a faculty member at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Dra.
WSMA Latino Section Informational Webinar
All physicians and physician assistants, whether a WSMA member or nonmember, were welcome to attend an informational meeting on May 20, 2021, featuring Leo Morales, MD, PhD, and Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, PhD. Watch the video of the informational meeting above.
Faculty
Leo Morales, MD, PhD, is a professor of medicine and assistant dean with the Office for Healthcare Equity and co-director of the Latino Center for Health at the University of Washington. Dr. Morales’s research focuses on Latino Health, racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health and the measurement of patient-reported outcomes in diverse communities.
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, PhD, is Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis. He is a national and international expert on health and mental health comorbidities on diverse populations.