The University of New Mexico Hospital kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration that featured speakers, music and snacks. In an environment where it is estimated half of the hospital workers and half the patients are Hispanic, this month's celebration has special meaning.
“It's been a rough year for health care workers everywhere in the world,” Fabian Armijo, the hospital’s director of equity and inclusion, told KOAT. "So to have an hour where they can kind of get away from the unit for a second and hear some music and have a snack is special. People were really excited about it.”
Hospital employees from just about every department took part, including Maria Carbajal, who has worked at UNM Hospital for 16 years.
Carbajal told KOAT, "I don't forget my Mexican roots. And although there are people from all over that are also Hispanic."
UNMH embraces its Hispanic roots, understanding that many of the patients share the heritage.
“When my patients come to the hospital, they're already nervous, they're scared,” Armijo said. “You're not feeling well. So, when someone looks like you, someone who comes from the same culture, you feel a little bit more open, a little more comfortable.”
UNMH will be having several events and webinars over the next few weeks to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
