Marielle Santos McLeod thought she knew a lot about cancer care. Years as a health professional had given her time to learn about cancer care and gain a closer look at the challenges Latinos face in getting treatment. That’s why, when the mother of four was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 36, she was shocked by just how little she really knew. However, it was enduring the disease as a young Latina that guided her toward her life's purpose – serving as a patient health leader to uplift the voice of Latino cancer survivors. “I love advocacy .... It's like one of the things that I'm convinced that I was put on this earth to do. I just had to get cancer to get to it first,” Santos McLeod said. Update 03/16/2026: After the initial publication of her story ...
Cancer remains a large health threat in South Texas and beyond. To improve cancer understanding and outcomes, Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of Salud America! and UT Health San Antonio hosted the 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference on Feb. 18-20, 2026, at the Plaza San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations drew over 300 researchers, doctors, leaders, and students for an open dialogue on cancer. Discussion covered new studies in clinical best practices, treatments, effective community interventions, advocacy, policy, and professional training in cancer research. "We still have work to do, but I am excited and proud to charge into the future with such a passionate group of people for ...
To spur solutions that improve cancer care in South Texas and across the United States, UT Health San Antonio and its Mays Cancer Center are hosting the 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference on Feb. 18-20, 2026, at the Plaza San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations is expected to draw over 300 researchers, doctors, community leaders, and survivors for an open dialogue on the latest cancer research and how to improve cancer outcomes for all people. Media is invited to attend. “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations is where we gather to share timely research from every stage of the cancer continuum to improve genetic studies, clinical best practices, and community ...
How can we help our abuelos and other loved ones who are dealing with Alzheimer's disease? Clinical trials! These are studies with volunteers that help researchers learn more to help slow, manage, and treat Alzheimer’s for current and future family members. But without volunteers for clinical trials, the benefits may miss certain groups. That's why Salud America! is joining the San Antonio Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) Population Aging and Social Studies (CAPAS). CAPAS will unite researchers from UT San Antonio, the Center for Brain Health, the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, and others. Community Impact, a local news agency across Texas, featured the effort in an article and interviewed Dr. Amelie G. ...
Firefighters are at higher risk of cancer than the general population. That is the reason for the new San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program. The program aims to better understand and reduce the cancer burden among local firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. It is a partnership of the San Antonio Fire Department, UT Health San Antonio, and Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami. Now the program is featured in an article in San Antonio Medicine, a publication of the Bexar County Medical Society. The article was written by Dr. Rachelle Hamblin, a family medicine physician at Health by Design, the SAFD Retiree Police and Firefighter Clinic; Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT ...
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and a cancer health researcher at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, joined a special episode of The Cancer Letter Podcast in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month to discuss cancer, policy, and communities. In the podcast episode, Dr. Ramirez joined with Dr. Ruben Mesa, executive director of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Luis Carvajal Carmona, associate vice chancellor and professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at University of California, Davis. The trio discuss federal policy impact on cancer, including the non-medical drivers of health, research investment, and AI. It’s really been a mission of mine to really raise the flag on the importance ...
Yolanda “Yoli” Barrera Day wasn’t aware she had stomach cancer. Not very many do because from a health standpoint, stomach cancer looks like any other gastrointestinal ailment. But for Yoli, stomach cancer preyed on her advancing age. After months of suffering from symptoms such as extreme fatigue and shortness of breath, Yoli was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma. It was a diagnosis that most may deem a death sentence, but not Yoli. Yoli was determined to make it out the other side and help others do the same by becoming a health leader and supporter for change.
Deceptive Symptoms Hiding Stomach Cancer
It was early 2021 and Yoli was feeling more tired than usual. While the exhaustion was draining, it wasn’t enough to raise ...
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and cancer health researcher at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, will receive the 2025 Sedgwick Memorial Medal for Distinguished Service in Public Health from the American Public Health Association (APHA). The award recognizes Ramirez's work in public health, which spans more than 30 years, and is a powerful testament to the legacy of the late Dr. Sedgwick. Ramirez and other APHA awards will be honored Monday, Nov. 3, 2026, during APHA’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo. "We celebrate the accomplishments and commitment of [Dr. Ramirez and] these outstanding public health leaders," said Dr. Georges Benjamin, APHA leader, in a statement. "Their contributions have helped strengthen the field and provide inspiration as we ...
What do we know about cancer trends in Latino communities? Find answers in the new episode of the Cancer Health podcast from the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle. The episode, "Cancer Trends in Latino Communities," features Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and cancer health researcher at the Mays Cancer Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, Ysabel Duron from The Latino Cancer Institute, and Gladys Arias from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Washington. Together, they discuss cancer trends impacting communities in Washington, California, and Texas. They cover liver, cervical, pediatric leukemia, and more. Listen online, Apple Podcasts, or other podcast ...
