Dean Graneto Receives Hispanic Health Leadership Award

November 24, 2021

California Health Sciences University is proud to announce that Dr. John Graneto, Dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, was one of four honorees that received the Hispanic Health Leadership Award at the 2021 Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Gala on November 18, 2021, in Los Angeles.

The other three award recipients who were honored for their leadership and vision were:

  • The Honorable Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator from California
  • Carrie Byington, MD, Executive Vice President for University of California Health, Office of the President
  • Tony Alamo, MD, Chief Medical Director, OptumCare Nevada

This occasion marked the 14th Annual California Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Gala hosted by the National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF). During the Gala, NHHF announced the scholarship recipients from the Western U.S., in addition to the Hispanic Health Leadership Awardees.

The Hispanic Health Leadership Award is presented to outstanding individuals who have served in significant leadership roles and have helped improve the health of Hispanics and other underserved populations.

“It is an honor to receive this award that recognizes the historic endeavor of establishing an osteopathic medical school and health sciences university in the Central Valley,” said Dr. John Graneto, Dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. “Here in the richest state, our region has some of the poorest outcomes, especially for our Hispanic/Latinx community. We are making strides towards reversing that trend and expanding access to health care and health equality for everyone in our community, especially the rural and underserved populations.”

Dr. Graneto was recognized for his leadership and role in establishing the Valley’s new medical school and helping alleviate talented local students leaving the area to pursue medical education. The medical school has held numerous preparatory programs to help guide community college students and other Pre-Med  students to apply to medical school. He and his academic leadership team have embedded cultural competencies and nutrition modules designed to help the diverse Central Valley population in the first two years of the curriculum. A medical Spanish class is also required for all graduates.

According to the NHHF, health policymakers and experts agree that Hispanic health professionals in the United States are few in numbers, yet they play an invaluable role in caring for our communities. The vision of NHHF is to develop the Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship as the nation’s premier fund to encourage Hispanic health professional students complete their career goals. For 16 years, this program has awarded $1,555,000 to 306 outstanding Hispanic health professional students for exceptional academic performance, leadership, and commitment to caring for Hispanics.

About the National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF)

The goal of NHHF, the foundation for the National Hispanic Medical Association, is to improve the health of Hispanics and the underserved, to eliminate health disparities, to support Hispanic researchers and research, and to advance culturally competent quality health care and diversity in the workforce.

For more information about the 14th Annual California Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Gala, visit their website at https://www.nhmafoundation.org/2021-ca-gala