San Antonio (July 27, 2004) – Norma Martinez Rogers, Ph.D., R.N., associate professor of family nursing care at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has been named National Hispanic Nurse of the Year by the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. She was selected from among members in 35 chapters nationwide and was recognized at the association’s awards and scholarships banquet July 16 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Dr. Martinez Rogers is principal investigator of a project titled “Minority Women Offenders: Recidivism Risk/Need Assessment.” This research program, aimed at helping Hispanic and black women in Bexar County who are on federal probation or parole, is funded through the “MESA: Center for Health Disparities” grant in the Health Science Center’s School of Nursing. That grant is from the National Institute of Nursing Research. The women are under the supervision of officers appointed by the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas. The court is in San Antonio.
Dr. Martinez Rogers also is the principle investigator of the “Juntos Podemos” (Together We Can) project, which targets the recruitment of disadvantaged and minority students into nursing and their retention in the field. Through this program, funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, Dr. Martinez Rogers has coupled the strengths of the community, parents of young people and community leaders to assist in strategies to bring minority students to the Health Science Center.
“Dr. Martinez Rogers serves as a role model for our students and faculty in demonstrating how mentoring of colleagues, students and potential students really works,” said Colleen S. Keller, Ph.D., R.N., professor and chair of family nursing care. “Her infectious enthusiasm and creativity in developing innovative programs have been tremendous assets to our department and school.”