National Latino
Physician Day!
October 1st!
¡Día Nacional de los Médicos Latinos!
Primero de Octubre
Reading List
A list of notable books that promote Latinas and Latinos entering the field of medicine.
No conflicts of interest.

by Dr. John Paul Sánchez and Donald Rodriguez
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This book explores the rich history and current state of the Latina, Latino, Latinx, Latine, Hispanic, or of Spanish Origin+ (LHS+) community’s representation, activism, and leadership within American medicine. It meets the demand for a reference that highlights both the underrepresentation and growth of the LHS+ community in medicine, especially as the LHS+ population now represents the largest non-white ethnic group in the United States. It examines the LHS+ community’s unique health issues and disparities, its ongoing efforts to address such health issues, and its approaches and challenges to developing generations of physicians and healthcare leaders.

Duty Calls: Lessons Learned From an Unexpected Life of Service
by Dr. Antonia Novello MD with Jill S. Tietjen
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Follow the remarkable journey of a trailblazing American leader, Dr. Antonia Novello, the first woman and the first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States.





Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon
by Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
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The inspiring story of a young Mexican immigrant who became a renowned neurosurgeon.
The Little Doctor / El Doctorcito
by Juan J. Guerra (Author), Victoria Castillo (Illustrator), Gabriela Baeza Ventura (Translator)
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In this engaging bilingual picture book for children ages 4-8, a young Salvadoran boy dreams of becoming a doctor who speaks both English and Spanish so that patients like his beloved grandmother aren’t afraid to visit the doctor. Paired with lively, colorful illustrations by Victoria Castillo, this book will encourage children to think about their own futures as well as the role their culture can play in helping the community.
by Dr. Paola Mina-Osorio
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Authored by an immigrant Hispanic doctor and scientist, ¡Un Doctor, Por Favor! was inspired by a Hispanic student who was told by her school counselor that she was "not college material." This real-life story, which is followed in the book, is but one example of the difficulties faced by young Hispanics trying to enter the medical field.
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Other booked authored by Dr. Mina-Osorio can be found here.
The Chicano Boom: Healing California 1965 - 1985
by Cástulo De La Rocha Diana M. Bontá, Ph. D., José Joel García, J.D., David E. Hayes-Bautista, Ph. D.
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The Chicano Boom makes visible the leaders and accomplishments of the Chicano Health Movement. You'll read that the leaders dreamed of a different type of health care system that had not existed before: a system of care that empowered communities. And you'll see how this movement was built in a time of urgency. The Chicano Health Movement established hundreds of community clinics that provide affordable, culturally appropriate health care system tailored to California's Chicano and Latino communities. Peppered with historical context and painting the context that paved the way for three new generations of health care professionals and activists.
The Art of Healing Latinos: Firsthand Accounts from Physicians and Other Health Advocates
by David E. Hayes-Bautista, Ph. D. and David E. Cordova
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The Art of Healing Latinos collects the wisdom of health professionals who have particular expertise in treating Latino patients. Their knowledge comes from many years of service in fields that range from pediatrics to geriatrics, oncology to psychology. Uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between the world of American medicine and the traditions of Latino culture, these physicians, researchers, administrators, and activists offer insight and advice to all who provide, or aspire to provide, health services to the Latino community.


Migrating Physicians Doctoras & Doctores con Alas: The Story Of 15 Physicians That Migrated
Doctores Con Alas: 12 Historias De Médicos Migrantes (Spanish Edition)
by by Sandra López-León, Ilan Shapiro and Talia Wegman
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Migrating Physicians is the autobiographical story of fifteen doctors, mostly Mexican, who emigrated to other countries. They write about their experiences in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The book addresses what it means to be a migrant and, more specifically, what it’s like to migrate as a physician.