When Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez established the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio in October 2006, her foundational vision was clear: to create a dynamic academic hub dedicated to cultivating innovative population health research, advancing disease prevention, and training the next generation of diverse public health leaders. Two decades later, that vision has manifested in a remarkable legacy of groundbreaking scientific discovery, community-driven interventions, and far-reaching professional achievements.
As the institute marks its 20th anniversary, a retrospective look at the alumni of the IHPR reveals a network of accomplished scholars, clinicians, legal advocates, urban planners, and communicators who are actively shaping the future of public health across the United States. From spearheading national cancer prevention initiatives to transforming community health worker programs and advocating for environmental and transportation equity, former members of the IHPR team continue to carry forward the institute’s core mission of championing health equity for underserved and minority populations.
Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina: From Cancer Researcher to Research Leader
Among the distinguished alumni whose careers trace back to the IHPR is Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina, who served as a professor at the institute from 2008 to 2016. During her tenure in San Antonio, Dr. Parra-Medina directed several theory-based, culturally tailored research initiatives aimed at increasing the uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, alongside programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyle habits among families throughout South Texas.
Building upon the foundation established during her years at the IHPR, Dr. Parra-Medina went on to launch the Latino Cancer Research Institute at UT Austin, serving as its director and professor from 2016 to 2024. Expanding her leadership footprint into academic medicine, she has spent the past two years serving as executive director and professor at a health center within the Department of Family Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
With more than two decades of dedicated experience in disease prevention among underserved groups across diverse geographic and community settings, Dr. Parra-Medina remains deeply committed to mentorship. Reflecting on her career trajectory and the evolving landscape of her field, she has emphasized the vital importance of fostering diverse perspectives in addressing systemic public health challenges and guiding emerging professionals.
Dr. Cynthia Mojica: Taking a Closer Look at Colon Cancer Screening
Dr. Cynthia Mojica’s contributions to the IHPR, where she served as an assistant professor in research from 2009 to 2015, left an indelible mark on colorectal cancer prevention research. At the institute, Dr. Mojica led pivotal research projects, including the development of a tailored, language-relevant, print-based tool specifically designed to persuade men to undergo life-saving colorectal cancer screenings.
Her academic journey subsequently led her to Oregon State University, where she took on the role of associate professor of health promotion and health behavior within the College of Public Health and Human Sciences. In this capacity, she leads health services research and program evaluation centered on cancer prevention and control among ethnic minority and underserved populations, with a particular focus on Latino communities.
Dr. Mojica’s work bridges the gap between academic institutions and community infrastructure, actively engaging community-based organizations, local health centers, and residents in designing and evaluating interventions to reduce cancer disparities and enhance healthcare access. Her ongoing commitment to this field is underscored by her continued scholarship, including recent publications focused on improving follow-up care after abnormal colorectal cancer screening results.
Dr. Daisy Morales-Campos: Improving Health Behaviors in Our Population
Working closely alongside Dr. Parra-Medina during her tenure as a research instructor at the IHPR from 2009 to 2016, Dr. Daisy Morales-Campos dedicated her efforts to identifying culturally competent strategies for increasing HPV vaccination rates to combat cervical cancer in South Texas.
Following her time at UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Morales-Campos served as a research assistant professor and area director of training programs at UT Austin from 2016 to 2024 before transitioning to her current position as an associate professor at UTHealth Houston. Her overarching research portfolio centers on public health education, cancer prevention, and the long-term maintenance of positive health behavior changes among Hispanic populations.
Dr. Morales-Campos possesses extensive expertise in the design and execution of community-based participatory research, culturally appropriate methodologies, cancer screening evaluations, and community health interventions that effectively utilize the traditional promotora model.
Sandra San Miguel: Helping Cancer Survivors from Research to Leadership
As an original faculty member who helped establish the IHPR in 2006 and served through 2016, Dr. Sandra San Miguel played an instrumental role in shaping the institute’s community outreach framework. During her decade at the IHPR, she helped develop vital patient navigation and community health worker programs tailored to support cancer survivors. Notably, she co-founded "Breast Friends Forever" (BFF), a specialized support group designed to provide a safe space for young breast cancer survivors in San Antonio to share their experiences and find mutual support.
Transitioning her expertise to the federal level, Dr. San Miguel has spent the past ten years serving as a program director at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In this role, she has contributed significantly to national initiatives such as the Screen to Save program, alongside broader efforts to advance cancer health equity and increase participation in clinical trials. In addition to her federal leadership, she serves as an advisor for the National Hispanic Medical Association’s Hispanic Leadership Development Fellowship.
Amanda Merck: From Covering Transportation to Becoming an Urban Planner
The intersection of community health and the non-medical drivers of health was the primary focus of Amanda Merck, who served as a digital content curator for the Salud America! program and the IHPR from 2015 to 2024. Through her reporting and digital advocacy, Merck covered critical topics including city planning, green spaces, physical activity, childhood trauma, and transportation equity. Her written work explored complex subjects, ranging from the neurological and physiological impacts of childhood trauma on developing minds to community-led advocacy efforts that successfully secured the first protected bike lane laws in the United States.
Beyond chronicling change, Merck actively participated in it. She advocated for civic engagement in San Antonio, coordinated a fairness-in-transportation working group, and spearheaded national efforts to generate public comments on federal policies related to traffic crash reporting, vehicle safety ratings, neighborhood planning, and the integration of urban planners into health policy development. Furthermore, she played a key role in helping Salud America! develop the Salud Report Card, an interactive tool providing local data, maps, and gauges to help communities visualize public health challenges.
Today, Merck is pursuing further academic and professional distinction as an urban planning doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her doctoral research centers on transportation as a critical non-medical driver of health, examining the broader social, economic, and health consequences of inadequate transportation systems alongside traditional concerns such as physical activity, pollution exposure, and traffic fatalities.
Shannon Baldwin: From Public Health to Legal Advocate
From 2012 to 2015, Shannon Baldwin contributed to the IHPR and the Salud America! program as a digital content curator, where she focused on highlighting grassroots health champions through the platform’s signature "Salud Hero" storytelling series. Her work documented inspiring community-led initiatives across the nation, ranging from school gardens established by educators in El Paso to parent-led fresh food stations in Virginia and community-driven sugary drink taxation efforts in California.
After building a strong foundation in public health communication, Baldwin pursued a legal education, earning her law degree from the South Texas College of Law Houston in 2018 to complement her undergraduate degree in political science from Trinity University. Today, she applies her legal expertise as a legal associate at Bracewell LLP, advocating for clients’ rights. Her professional achievements were recognized with inclusion in the prestigious Legal 500 United States rankings, which highlights the nation’s top law firms and attorneys.
Rosalie Aguilar: From Health Communicator to Researcher to Dental Surgeon
Rosalie Aguilar’s tenure with the IHPR and Salud America! spanned nearly a decade, beginning as a digital content curator from 2012 to 2015 before stepping into the role of Salud America! program coordinator from 2015 to 2021. As coordinator, she managed program operations, cultivated relationships across a broad national network, monitored strategic benchmarks, and contributed significantly to research proposals, reports, and scientific manuscripts. Among her notable research contributions was co-leading a study demonstrating that planned, culturally relevant social media events, such as Twitter chats, can serve as powerful tools for public health practitioners to engage audiences around health equity issues.
While working at the institute, Aguilar pursued advanced academic training, earning a doctoral degree in translational sciences from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health San Antonio in 2020. She subsequently served as a project coordinator for a holistic oral health program for nursing home residents through the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry and co-directed the Dental Education Network for Texas (DENT ECHO), which supports primary oral health care providers across the state. Continuing her dedication to healthcare, Aguilar is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in dental surgery at UT Health San Antonio.
Rick Carrillo: Bringing Salud Heroes to Life Through Video
As the video production manager for the IHPR and Salud America! from 2012 to 2019, Rick Carrillo played a foundational role in establishing the visual identity and storytelling impact of the institute’s outreach initiatives. Carrillo traveled extensively across Texas, Colorado, Florida, and beyond to film interviews with grassroots changemakers, bringing their personal stories to life and inspiring viewers to implement similar health-promoting strategies in their own neighborhoods.
His video documentation in San Antonio captured diverse community-led efforts, from campaigns for expanded public transit and the establishment of family-friendly baby cafés to the creation of community gardens and trauma-informed school environments. In addition to the Salud Hero video series, Carrillo helped launch the Salud Talks Podcast, which continues to inform listeners about health trends and issues impacting the Latino community. Today, he channels his creative expertise as the group leader for creative services at the Southwest Research Institute, where he leads a multidisciplinary team directing video, photography, and graphic design initiatives.
Guadalupe Cornejo: Training the Next Generation of Community Health Workers
Guadalupe Cornejo’s career exemplifies the vital, bridge-building role of community health workers—whether recognized as promotoras de salud or patient navigators. Serving as a community health worker at the IHPR from 2009 to 2011, Cornejo utilized her cultural background and linguistic skills to connect San Antonio residents with essential healthcare resources, while guiding cancer patients through the complexities of their clinical journeys.
Driven by a commitment to expanding her impact, she earned a master’s degree in social work from UT San Antonio, allowing her to further design and implement community outreach programs centered on wellness. Today, Cornejo serves as an associate dean at Northwest Vista College within the Alamo Colleges District, where she dedicates her time to training and mentoring the next generation of community health workers and promotoras. Additionally, she serves as the founder of the San Antonio Community Health Workers Association, cementing her lifelong dedication to grassroots public health advocacy.
Looking Forward to the Future of All Current IHPR Team Members
As the Institute for Health Promotion Research celebrates its 20th anniversary under the continued leadership of founder and director Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez—alongside faculty members Dr. Patricia Chalela, Dr. Rebecca Jones, and Dr. Derek Rodriguez, and a dedicated staff of research coordinators, data scientists, communications specialists, and community health workers—the institution remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing population health. Building upon two decades of pioneering research, mentorship, and community engagement, the IHPR continues to look toward a future dedicated to eliminating health disparities and fostering the next wave of health equity leaders.
