Cultural Competence Course at elearn.nhcoa.org

The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) is very pleased to announce that its cultural competence course (NHCOA's CCC) is now live and available for testing and feedback at elearn-nhcoa.org.

The NHCOA's CCC is designed to increase awareness and application of the concepts of cultural competence, particularly for healthcare providers who serve large Hispanic populations. Additionally, the course includes information about Hispanic culture that will help healthcare providers put their new cultural competence skills into context. Although still in its first pilot version, the NHCOA's CCC will soon include dynamic and interactive approaches to teaching these very important concepts.

The course is part of the Salud y Bienestar (Health and Wellbeing) program which focuses on increasing awareness and education about diabetes among Hispanic older adults, while working to close the gap between healthcare users and providers.

The NHCOA is very excited to release this course, and hopes that you can lend your assistance and feedback in order to make the NHCOA's CCC the best that it can be! The NHCOA's CCC can be accessed at elearn-nhcoa.org.

NHCOA President & CEO Yanira Cruz Honored by Washington, DC, Spanish Senior Center

NHCOA President & CEO Yanira Cruz, DrPH, MPH, received a Leadership Award on November 13, 2007, from the Educational Organization for United Latin Americans (EOFULA) Spanish Senior Center.

Jose Nunez, President of the EOFULA Board of Directors, and Angel Luis Irene, EOFULA Executive Director, presented Dr. Cruz with the award at EOFULA's 38th Anniversary Gala at the historic Toutorsky Mansion in Washington, DC. Dr. Cruz was chosen as the award recipient for "her exceptional leadership, stewardship and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of Latino seniors locally and nationally and for her continued support to EOFULA."

Mr. Irene praised Dr. Cruz for bringing attention to issues facing older Hispanic Americans, and for her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of abuelitos everywhere. He proudly spoke about her landmark research on managing diabetes among Hispanic older adults, and how this work has put EOFULA on the map. Many of EOFULA's seniors participated in the focus groups.

"I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work with someone so dedicated as Angel Luis and Jose at EOFULA," said Dr. Cruz as she received the award, alongside her son who accompanied her to the family event.

"I appreciate this leadership award, and view it as a reminder of all the work that is yet to be done for our Hispanic older adults."