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Cliff Despres

Cliff Despres, who has more than a decade of experience in journalism and public relations, is communications director for Salud America! and its home base, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

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Articles by Cliff Despres

2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Technology & Communication


Panel D – Technology & Communication Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Combating Misinformation About Cancer Prevention on Social Media Among Latino Audiences Dr. Yonaira M. Rivera is Assistant Professor of Communication at Rutgers School of Communication & Information. Health misinformation on social media Dr. Rivera’s presentation began by discussing health misinformation on social media. In order to address social media-based health misinformation, 5 approaches are needed: enhanced surveillance, understanding psychological drivers, assessing real-world consequences, a focus on vulnerable populations, and the development ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Aging and Cancer


Panel B – Aging and Cancer - Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Tailored Care for Older Adults with Cancer Enrique Soto Perez de Celis, MD, PhD, is Associate Director for Global Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Challenges faced by older adult patients with cancer Dr. Soto began by noting that older adults face many disparities when accessing high-quality cancer care, especially those who are members of underrepresented populations. Conducting a geriatric assessment is essential to understanding patients and providing personalized care. Shared decision making should include patient preferences and priorities ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Research and Patient Leadership


Panel F – Research and Patient Leadership Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Clinical Research as a Lifeline: Navigating Relapse and Remission Through Evidence-Based Care Arnoldo Rodriguez is a cancer survivor and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy recipient. A cancer story Mr. Rodriguez’s presentation relayed lessons he learned as a cancer survivor. In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both his primary care doctor and oncologist were unempathetic and terse, leaving him feeling alone in his cancer journey. After conducting his own research, he chose to seek treatment at MD Anderson in Houston because of its ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: From Law to Life


Session 5 – beyond barriers Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Cancer Care and Outcomes Dr. Xuesong Han is Scientific Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society. History of the Affordable Care Act Dr. Han’s research focuses on how health policies like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affect access to care and cancer outcomes. The ACA was signed into law in March of 2010 and is the largest healthcare system change in the US since the establishment of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Its goals are to improve health insurance coverage, quality of care, and ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Early-Career Investigator Session


Early-Career Investigator Session Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Therapeutic Yoga Improves Quality of Life and Reduces Perceived Stress in Women with Breast Cancer: 6-Month Intervention in South Texas Communities Dr. Gustavo J. Almeida at UT Health San Antonio Yoga for breast cancer survivors Dr. Almeida began the presentation by highlighting the persistent physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges faced by breast cancer patients. In South Texas, access to supportive, holistic survivorship services is limited, and many women lack resources to manage long-term symptoms and stress. Quality-of-life impairments can ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Bridging International and National Research


Keynote – Bridging International and National Research Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Bridging International and National Latino Research to Serve its Populations Dr. Mariana Chávez Mac Gregor is Chair ad interim and Professor in the Health Services Research Department and in the Breast Medical Oncology Department at University of Texas MD Anderson, as well as Executive Officer for International Affairs at the SWOG Research Network. Latin American and US Latino populations Dr. Chávez Mac Gregor began the presentation by describing the need to bridge cancer research in the United States and Latin America. According to Global Cancer Statistics, ...

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Dr. Amelie Ramirez Gets $400,000 Komen Grant to Study Therapeutic Yoga for Breast Cancer Survivors


Amelie Ramirez - UT Health San Antonio 1

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, a cancer researcher at the Institute for Health Promotion Research and the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, is receiving a 2-year, $400,000 leadership grant to study cancer survivorship from Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization. Ramirez aims to enhance recovery for cancer survivors. In a group of Latina breast cancer survivors in South Texas, Ramirez will compare two rehabilitation approaches — standard physical therapy and therapeutic yoga — to see how they impact health-related quality of life, fatigue, and physical function over 16 weeks. Therapeutic yoga involves controlled movement, breath regulation, and meditative practices. "By focusing on the whole person and listening to survivor experiences, we hope ...

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Honoring Latino and All Military Heroes on Memorial Day


latino military hero rocky versace for memorial day

Memorial Day is May 31, 2027. We at Salud America! are honored to recognize all U.S. military personnel, including the Latinos, who have served and died for our country. Latinos in the Military: History Latinos have a “proud and indeed enviable” record of military service that dates back all the way to the Civil War, according to a U.S. Army history website. About 20,000 Latino serviceman and women participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991, 80,000 in the Vietnam War in 1959-1973, and more than 400,000 in World War II in 1939-1945. Latinos have earned more than 40 Medals of Honor, according to the Department of Defense. “Whether their heritage can be traced to Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, or one of dozens of other Spanish-speaking countries or ...

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Watch Webinar: Zeroing in on Alzheimer’s, Brain Health, and Caregiving in At-Risk Populations



Alzheimer’s Disease is a rising health issue for Latinos and many others. To ensure support for those affected and their caregivers, UT Health San Antonio hosted a webinar, “Zeroing in on Alzheimer’s, Brain Health, and Caregiving in At-Risk Populations,” at 11 a.m. Central on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Webinar host Dr. Amelie Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, joined experts from the San Antonio CAPAS research program, a representative from Genentech, a community health worker, and a Latino caregiver to focus on the impact of Alzheimer’s in South Texas and beyond. Panelists discussed the state of Alzheimer’s among Latinos and all people, early signs, early diagnosis, and what the condition means for ...

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