Every year during Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight the powerful contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Nurses, those who broke barriers, built institutions, and continue to lead change in health care. For Nurses today, their stories are not just inspiring; they are lessons in advocacy, perseverance, and cultural humility. Below are profiles of both past and present Hispanic/Latinx Nurse leaders whose work has shaped health care in meaningful ways.
Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, PhD, RN, FAAN
Born in Panama in 1920, Murillo-Rohde moved to the U.S. and became deeply aware of the lack of Hispanic representation among Nurses in communities where it was most needed. She earned advanced degrees, including her Ph.D. from NYU, and was the first Hispanic Dean of Nursing at New York University. Her most enduring legacy is founding the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) in 1975 — to support Hispanic Nurses and improve culturally competent care. AAMC
Hector Hugo Gonzalez, PhD, VR-RN
Gonzalez was the first Mexican-American Registered Nurse in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. (1974). He devoted much of his career to creating access, especially for Hispanic and male Nursing students. As chair of the Department of Nursing Education at San Antonio College, he helped develop flexible curricula (evening classes) to allow non-traditional students to succeed. TNAA
Henrieta Villaescusa, MPH, RN
A pioneer in public health, Villaescusa held many “firsts”: she was the first Hispanic Nurse appointed to an administrative role in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; first Mexican-American Chief Nurse consultant in the Office of Maternal & Child Health. Throughout her career, she was a voice for Latino health on both local and national levels. AJC
Nelly Garzón Alarcón
From Colombia, Garzón Alarcón was the first Latin American Nurse to become president of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in 1985. She made major contributions to Nursing education, ethics, and regulation. Her leadership was not just national but global. Wikipedia
Carmen Lozano Dumler, RN
One of the first Puerto Rican women to become a U.S. Army officer, Dumler served during WWII. Her service as a Nurse and interpreter helped bridge language and culture for many Spanish-speaking patients in the Army Nurse Corps. Wikipedia
Dr. Adrianna Nava, PhD, MPA, MSN, RN, FAAN
Previous President of NAHN, Dr. Nava has been recognized among Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Emerging Leaders (2023) for her work with veteran and Latino health, policy, and leadership. She is actively working to close health disparities using performance measurement, policy, and community engagement. nahnnet.org
Hilda Ortiz-Morales, Ph.D., NP, AAHIVS
A Nurse Practitioner, Professor, and HIV/HCV program coordinator, Ortiz-Morales works explicitly with populations disproportionately affected by health inequities, including Hispanic and Black patients. Her service, teaching, and mentorship demonstrate how modern Nursing leadership mixes clinical practice, research, and advocacy. AJC
Representation has ripple effects: Seeing Nurses who share one’s culture, language, or background can enhance trust, improve communication, and help institutions better serve communities.
Advocacy is as much part of the job as clinical care: Many of the figures above didn’t stop at caring for patients, they pushed systems to change, created organizations (like NAHN), influenced policy, and opened doors for those who came after.
Cultural competence isn’t optional: Historical leaders understood that language, cultural understanding, and context matter in Nursing. Today’s Nurses continue to build on that work, integrating it into education, research, and everyday patient care.
Continuous learning and mentorship: Many of the historical figures came from modest beginnings, yet they pursued advanced education and mentored others. Modern leaders still model those traits. For Nurses in training or early career phases, these are powerful role models.
Feature them in your workplace during Hispanic Heritage Month: Posters, newsletters, short staff presentations.
Incorporate their work into training and education: Example case studies, guest speakers.
Mentorship programs: Connect newer Nurses (especially Hispanic/Latinx) with senior leaders or peers who understand their journey.
Advocate for inclusive policies: Language access, equitable hiring, flexible training options.
Hispanic and Latinx Nurses have shaped, and continue to shape, the nursing profession by breaking barriers, advocating for underrepresented communities, and pushing for health equity. Honoring them isn’t just about looking back, it’s about continuing the work they started. As Nurses today, we can carry forward their legacy through inclusive practice, leadership, and advocacy.