Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, MPH is an internationally recognized cancer and chronic disease health disparities researcher at UT Health San Antonio who has uplifted the Latino voice in health care, research, training, and outreach for over three decades. She serves as chair and professor of population health sciences at UT Health San Antonio, a Hispanic-Serving Institute, where she also is founding director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research and associate director of community outreach and engagement at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, an NCI-designated Cancer Center.
Dr. Ramirez has directed over 100 research studies and communication programs that have reduced Latino health disparities, increased participation of underrepresented groups in cancer screening and clinical trials, and helped people quit smoking. Dr. Ramirez has led two national research networks, one on Latino cancer (Redes En Acción) and one promoting community change for Latino health equity (Salud America!; @SaludAmerica). Today, Salud America! has a network of 500,000+ community leaders, parents, and healthcare professionals who are fueled with educational content and tools to advocate for equitable changes in policies and systems in Latino communities. Exposure to Salud America! content is correlated with a high degree of personal engagement in advocacy actions and is linked to increases in self-efficacy to advocate for healthy system and policy change, according to survey data. Dr. Ramirez also has led studies using the latest technologies—mobile phone apps, text messaging programs, and social media innovations, etc.—to improve health behaviors among Latinos, covering smoking cessation to breast cancer treatment adherence. She also leads the Avanzando Caminos study to unpack the Latino cancer survivorship journey, and she founded the Avanzando Equidad de Salud: Latino Cancer Health Equity Research Center at UT Health San Antonio to address social determinants of health in South Texas.
Dr. Ramirez also understands the great need for mentorship programs and representation in the healthcare workforce. She has personally trained and/or mentored over 300 Latino undergraduates, pre- and post-doctoral students, and early-career faculty members, instructing about research design, methods, data analysis, and career development. Many of her trainees have achieved high-profile and broad-reaching independent success. She also directed the Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program to encourage Latino master’s-level professionals to pursue a doctoral degree and cancer research career. Of 175 Éxito! grads since 2011, over 35% have applied to, been accepted in, or completed a doctoral program. Dr. Ramirez also united over 800 Latino cancer disparities researchers to collaborate on Latino cancer at her biennial “Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos” conferences in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. Learn about the conference series at www.LatinoCancer.org.
Dr. Ramirez has authored many peer-reviewed articles, is an editorial board member on several prestigious journals, including Health Education Research, and is frequently invited to speak at scientific meetings. She has been recognized for her work to improve Latino health and advance Latinos in medicine, public health, and behavioral sciences across the U.S., including: 2023 selection for the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame; 2022 selection by Orpah Winfrey as a “Cycle Breaker” for health equity; 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Behavioral Medicine; 2014 Everett M. Rogers Public Health Communication Award from APHA; 2014 Making a Difference Award from Latinas Contra Cancer; 2011 White House “Champion of Change” from the Obama Administration; 2009 Health Care Hero from the San Antonio Business Journal; 2007 election to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine); and 2007 Professor of Survivorship from Susan G. Komen For the Cure. She also is a 2018 Susan G. Komen Scholar and a member of the National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NACMHD) of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). In Texas, Dr. Ramirez is on the San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council and is Past Board President of The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas. Dr. Ramirez is a native of Laredo, Texas. She received a B.S. from The University of Houston and M.P.H. and Dr.P.H. degrees from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health.