Amelie G. Ramirez, Dr.Ph., an internationally recognized expert in cancer health disparities research at UT Health San Antonio, has received the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Distinguished Lecture on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities award.
The award, sponsored by Susan G. Komen, honors an investigator with a far-reaching impact on the etiology, detection, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of cancer health disparities.
Dr. Ramirez is chair ad interim of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the Health Science Center.
Dr. Ramirez has more than 30 years of experience developing robust health communication models, research interventions, community outreach, public and scientific speaking engagements, and training of young minds. Her studies and programs have contributed to reduced cancer and disease among Latinos, including cancer risk factor identification, clinical trial accrual, tobacco prevention and cessation, obesity prevention, and more.
She also leads the SaludToday campaign to raise awareness for Latino health issues, and the Salud America! program to promote a healthy weight for Latino children.
“I am humbled by this tremendous honor from two great organizations, AACR and Susan G. Komen, for our ongoing efforts to reduce Latino cancer health disparities,” said Dr. Ramirez, who also is associate director of cancer prevention and health disparities at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center.
Ramirez, as part of the award, delivered a keynote lecture at the AACR conference, the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved Conference, in late September, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.