The Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS) and the UTSA College of Health, Community and Policy announced the winners of the 2026 IIMS Community Engagement Small Project Grants program. Seven community-academic partnerships from South Texas, focused on topics from men’s health to caregiving, each have been awarded a $5,000 grant. The aim is to translate research into public health benefits. Grants are available to newly developed or current partnerships with projects focused on research/assessment, education/training, and/or dissemination/communication of research results, program features, or policy implications.
Dr. Erika Brigmon, Gabrielle Capesius, and Lacy Lichtenhan
“Arts for Justice: The Story of Firearm-related Violence from a Youth ...
“Para bailar La Bamba se necesita una poca de gracia.” There’s a strong chance you’ve heard this song, “La Bamba,” on the radio, on TV, walking through the grocery store, or somewhere else at least once in your life. While there are several different versions of this song, one of the most well-known was recorded by Ritchie Valens, a rock ‘n’ roll icon who had a short but impactful career. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Salud America! is celebrating Latino trailblazers, historical figures, and inspirational stories. This year we are highlighting the career and contributions of Ritchie Valens, a Mexican American singer and songwriter who blazed a trail for rock musicians for decades to come.
Ritchie Valens: Early Life Before Fame
Richard Steven Valenzuela ...
Our life experiences can shape who we are and what we strive to be in the future. This can certainly be said about Dr. Antonia Novello, the first woman and Latina to be appointed as Surgeon General in the United States. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Salud America! is celebrating Latino trailblazers, historical figures, and inspirational stories. This year we are recognizing Dr. Antonia Novello, a physician and public health administrator with a strong legacy for promoting health for all.
What Was Early Life Like for Antonia Novello?
Antonia Novello was born Antonia Coello in 1944 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As the eldest of 3 siblings, Novello experienced health challenges early in her life. “As a child, Novello ...
Whether it’s in hospitals and clinics, out in the community, or online, there are many Salud Heroes who have helped improve health for all the people in their communities. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Salud America! recognizes figures both throughout history and today who serve as health role models. Let’s look at 10 Salud Heroes who have championed Latino health.
1. Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa
Dr. José Celso Barbosa Alcalá, also known as José Celso Barbosa, was the first Afro-Latino to obtain a medical degree in the United States. Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Barbosa valued education. He graduated in 1880 from the University of Michigan Medical School as the valedictorian of his class, becoming the first Puerto Rican to earn a medical degree in the continental ...
1 in 5 Latinos say that they have achieved the American dream and 33% say they are on their way to achieving it. However, 18% say the American dream is out of reach for them and 27% say it doesn’t exist at all, according to a recent analysis by Pew Research Center that focuses on U.S. Latinos’ views of the American dream and their outlook on economic mobility. Let’s look deeper into how attainable the American dream is for Latinos in the U.S.
What is the American Dream?
The American dream can be defined by many factors, including economic mobility, homeownership, and political freedoms. “About six-in-ten Hispanics tie the American dream to financial or economic factors,” according to previous surveys from the Pew Research ...
People are increasingly coming to AI for help with health. Today, one of four Americans say they use AI chatbots to diagnose health symptoms, according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center. These users are also learning about their lab results and treatment options. To understand the reasons why, let’s dive deeper into this topic and how it can impact the health of our neighbors and communities.
Why Are Chatbots Used for Health Info?
Americans use AI chatbots for several health reasons, according to a Pew Research survey of 3,488 U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026. Reasons include: Get health information quickly
Figure out what's causing symptoms
Get health information at little to no cost
Get health information about treatments
Learn more ...
No family wants to hear news that their child has been diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, an estimated 15,780 U.S. children between birth and age 19 are diagnosed with cancer every year, disrupting family life to the very core. However, Jason Massiatte is doing the work to make sure San Antonio and Bexar County families are getting the help they need through the Hope at Heart Foundation. Massiatte leads the foundation, which provides counseling, financial assistance, and other support as families navigate the complex hardships of childhood cancer.
Jason Massiate: The Inspiration to Help Others
A San Antonio native, Massiatte was inspired to help others through his own experiences growing up in a family that faced poverty and life challenges. “I know what it's like to ...
September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month. During this time, take action by understanding blood cancers, supporting those experiencing blood cancer, and encouraging survivors to share their stories. Every three minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, the three main types of blood cancer, according to Blood Cancer United. Blood cancer affects the production and function of blood cells, and it usually starts in the bone marrow where blood is made. Here are four amazing organizations working to address blood cancer.
1. Blood Cancer United
An estimated 192,070 people in the U.S. were expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma in 2025. Blood Cancer United aims to help “people affected by all 100+ types of blood ...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a rule change to require food companies to notify regulators before introducing ingredients or additives into processed or packaged foods, according to federal health leaders. Under the rule, companies would have to submit a safety rationale for new ingredients. “The proposal would change a decades-old policy that advocates have called a regulatory loophole, blaming it for allowing thousands of unvetted ingredients into the U.S. food supply,” according to the Associated Press. You can submit a public comment crafted by Salud America! to provide feedback on FDA’s plan to tighten restrictions on new food additives and ingredients. Comments are due Dec. 9, 2026. Comment NOW!
Submit This Model Comment on Food ...
Tell FDA: Tighten Restrictions on Food Additives and Ingredients
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a rule change to require food companies to notify regulators before introducing ingredients or additives into processed or packaged foods, according to federal health leaders. Under the rule, companies would have to submit a safety rationale for new ingredients. “The proposal would change a decades-old policy that advocates have called a regulatory loophole, blaming it for allowing thousands of unvetted ingredients into the U.S. food supply,” according to the Associated Press. You can submit a public comment crafted by Salud America! to provide feedback on FDA’s plan to tighten restrictions on new food additives and ingredients. Comments are due Dec. 9, 2026. Comment NOW! Submit This Model Comment on Food ...
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