HSHPS Professional Development Seminar: "Preparing the Next Generation of Hispanic Health Professionals"
August 7-8, 2006

HSHPS is pleased to announce that the 2006 HSHPS Professional Development Seminar: Preparing the Next Generation of Hispanic Health Professionals was a decided success. Over 30 individuals attended, from both current and prospective member schools. The event was held in Atlanta, Georgia, in part on the campus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Speakers included not only Faculty from HSHPS member schools, but representatives from other non-profits and representatives from the CDC. Dr. Fernando Mendoza and Dr. Karen Bouye started the seminar with welcome addresses, from which Dr. Mendoza launched into the first session.

Discussion was lively both during the session and outside of them. The attendees, a varied mix of doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty, and speakers, found both common ground and differences, which sparked interaction and extended conversation. Plenary 7, “Balancing the Hats of Academia,” was a panel-led discussion of challenges facing Hispanic health professionals, as well as the paths of some of the more senior faculty members on the panel. Session topics included faculty development, teaching strategies, finding and being a mentor, how to secure a grant in general, NIH grants specifically, publishing, career paths, and culturally competent care.