The blare of firetruck sirens, the glow of buildings ablaze, and the thick smell of smoke are all too familiar for Neil Meade. As a seasoned firefighter in San Antonio, he’s faced many dangers and helped others through life-threatening situations. But nothing could prepare him for a cancer diagnosis. Meade, a devoted family man and veteran of countless emergency calls, suddenly found himself battling a personal, silent, unpredictable opponent — thyroid cancer.
A Passion for Serving People
Meade, a native of Chicago, moved to San Antonio with his parents, returned to Chicago, but eventually returned to San Antonio and lives here now. He started his service career in the Air Force. “I spent eight years on active duty in the Air Force, and when I got out ... I tested ...
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 ...
Alzheimer’s and dementia impact the brain, cognitive activity, and memory. As of 2026, 7.4 million Americans 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. These numbers are set to increase to 13.8 million by 2060, according to the report. Not only is Alzheimer’s a very prevalent disease, it’s also the 6th leading cause of death for older adults, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. In honor of the month, we are raising awareness by sharing 9 resources to help prevent, navigate, and treat Alzheimer’s and so much more!
1. Make Lifestyle Changes to Decrease Your Alzheimer’s ...
It’s National Cancer Survivor Month and we are honoring survivors in South Texas and beyond by reminding them that their journeys matter. In fact, they can even help future cancer survivors. That’s the hope of the Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship Cohort Study, which is based at UT Health San Antonio and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center based at the University of Miami. This study gathers cancer survivors’ unique stories to explore the familial, behavioral, mental, biological, medical, and other impacts on life after cancer. Let’s break down how each of these cancer types impacts the Hispanic/Latino population and how hearing from survivors helps make a difference for future generations of survivors.
Latina Breast ...
May is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time to celebrate and support those who have gone through a cancer journey! Let’s look at five ways to celebrate, honor, and support cancer survivors.
1. Read about Real Latino Cancer Survivors
At Salud America!, we’re inspired by personal stories of cancer survivorship. That is why we showcase amazing Salud Heroes like Marielle Santos McLeod, who survived colon cancer and now champions the patient voice through advocacy work. “It allows me the opportunity not only to be a [patient leader], but to also share the importance of why our [involvement in research] matters,” Santos McLeod said. Read more about these Salud Heroes: Read more about these Salud Heroes: Brittney Millard: Helping Patients and Persevering Through ...
Arnoldo Rodriguez prides himself in keeping a professional appearance. Whether it be in his position as an educator, school administrator, executive, or in educational sales, the McAllen, Texas, resident always dressed to impress. That’s why Arnoldo knew when he put on a crisp suit and the once-clinging fabric hung loosely at his arms, he knew something wasn’t quite right. Around this time, he would also get excessively tired despite his penchant for exercise. Everything pointed in one direction, and his swollen lymph nodes confirmed the worst ¾ he had cancer. Months of unsuccessful lymphoma treatment led him to participate in a clinical trial and it was that decision that led him on the path to patient leadership. “The clinical trial was my ...
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 ...
Skin cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat and one of the most preventable if you take action to protect your skin from the harm of sun exposure. Yet too many are still being diagnosed with the disease. This is especially true for people in overlooked communities, especially Latinos and others who work under the sun in construction, farming, and other outdoor jobs. May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month and we’re bringing attention to skin cancer by sharing these helpful resources and actions.
1. Calculate Your Skin Cancer Risk
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has an online tool to calculate your risk for skin cancer. Input your demographics (i.e., eye color) and UV-related habits (i.e., number of sunburns) and get your risk for developing ...
1 in 5 people will get skin cancer in their lifetime. That makes it critical to know what might increase your risk for skin cancer, especially Latinos who work in construction, farming, and other outdoor jobs. May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness, so let’s explore skin cancer risk.
Skin Cancer Risk Factors
Some physical characteristics can increase your risk for skin cancer, according to the CDC. Skin cancer can be more prevalent in people with lighter skin, eye, and hair colors. DNA can also play significant factor. If your skin easily burns or reddens, has freckles, or moles, you may be at a higher risk for skin cancer. Those with a history of sunburns or tanning, have a family or personal history of skin cancer, or are of an older age may ...
