ALMA Legacy
Alma News
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Recipients-Health Career Awards
2024
$2,500 Award
UA College of Medicine Tucson Campus
MS I Ivan Carrillo, Nogales High School, Nogales, AZ.
MS I Jennifer Gonzalez, Alhambra High School, Phoenix, AZ.
UA College of Medicine Phoenix Campus
MS II Diego Garcia, Nogales High School, Nogales, AZ.
MS IV Gillian Reynoso, Copper Canyon Hight School, Glendale, AZ
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Arizona Campus
MS II Diego Alegre, Higley High School, Higley AZ.
ohn Hopkins University School of Nursing-ONLINE Dual Degree Program – Master of Science in Nursing – Healthcare Organizational Leadership and Masters in Business Administration. Graduation Fall 2027.
Ruth Tan Lim, MD, MD(H), ND(Hon) Scholarship
Paulette Rangel, BSN, RN, CCRN, Alhambra High School, Phoenix, AZ.
Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Mexico
MS III Jennifer Dueñas, Bioscience High School, Phoenix, AZ.
Carlos Cazares, DO Scholarship
MS III Iridian Luz Castro Cantu, Universidad Autónoma, Valle Del Carrizo, Sinaloa, Mexico
2023
$5,000 Joint Award – Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine & ALMA
MS I Diego Alegre, Higley High School, Higley AZ.
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Arizona Campus
$2,500 Award
UA College of Medicine Tucson Campus
MS I Edgar Ivan Melendrez Alvarado, Cibola High School, Yuma, AZ.
MS I Brianna Robles, Mountain Pointe High School, Phoenix, AZ.
UA College of Medicine Phoenix Campus
MS IV Elen Mendoza, University High School, Tolleson, AZ.
MS III Gillian Reynoso, Copper Canyon Hight School, Glendale, AZ
MS I Kambrea Soltero, Lake Havasu High School, Lake Havasu City, AZ.
2022
$2,500 Award – UA College of Medicine – Phoenix Campus
MS II Paulo G. Peña, Campo Verde High School, Gilbert, AZ
MS II Gillian Reynoso, Cooper Canyon High School, Glendale, AZ.
$2,500 Award – UA College of Medicine – Tucson Campus
MS II Issa Jimenez Espinosa, Verrado High School, Buckeye, AZ.
MS II Gabriela Triant, Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA.
2021
$2,500 Awards – UA College of Medicine – Phoenix Campus
MS III Alina Maria Martinez, Silverado High School, Las Vegas, Nevada and ASU undergraduate.
$2,500 Award – UA College of Medicine – Tucson
MS III Francisco J. Romo, Douglas High School, Douglas, AZ.
MS II Brenda Valencia, University High School, Tucson, AZ.
2020
ALMA Gala cancelled due to Covid19 restrictions
2019
West Coast Ultrasound Institute and ALMA scholarship match program for their students. One $2,000 award
Fernando Fernandez-Zavala, Colegio del Estado de Sonora, Mexico.
$2,500 Awards:
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix
MS IV Fatima Esquivel, Camelback High School, Phoenix, AZ.
MS I Jorge P. Gonzalez, Nogales High School, Nogales, AZ.
$2,500 Award – UA College of Medicine – Tucson Campus
MS II Eduardo Quiñones Zanabria, Westwood High School, Mesa, AZ.
MS II Cassandra Villa, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, AZ.
2018
West Coast Ultrasound Institute and ALMA scholarship match program for their students. One $1,500 award
Yarleyn Tovar, Glendale, Arizona
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix 4 year $20,000 scholarships. The University matches the ALMA award of $2,500 over a 4 year period.
MS IV Monica Patricia Gomez Lopez
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix $5,000 Joint One-Year Award
MS I Celina G. Virgen
$2,500 Award – UA College of Medicine – Tucson
MS II Karen Penelope Ibarra
MS I Ramon Jauragui
2017
West Coast Ultrasound Institute and ALMA scholarship match program for their students. One $1,000 award
Mariah Zamora, Silver City New Mexico
The following ALMA Scholarships were $2,500 each.
MS II Guadalupe Davila, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
MS II Ivan O. Aispuro Galindo, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
MS IV Angel A. Sandoval, International School of Medicine, Jalisco, Mexico – Clinical Rotations Abrazo West Campus
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix 4 year $20,000 scholarships. The University matches the ALMA award of $2,500 over a 4 year period.
MS III Monica Patricia Gomez Lopez
MS IV Maricruz Cisneros – Award placed on hold pending her return to school.
$2,500 Award – UA Nursing Program – First Year
Wilfredo Rodriguez, ASU BA of Science in Biology
MedStart & Diversity Initiatives Grant to UA Health Sciences Hispanic Center for Excellence, Tucson $2,500
Summer Scrubs Program Grant to UA College of Medicine Phoenix $2,500
Nursing Scholarship Provided at Annual National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Phoenix Chapter – $1,500
$1,000 Allocated to Leadership Development, Administered by Dr. Barbara Garcia, Liaison to Latino Medical Association, UA College
of Medicine Phoenix
2016
West Coast Ultrasound Institute and ALMA scholarship match program for their students. Two $1,000 awards
Leticia Gomez Gladys Ayala Nuñez
The following ALMA Scholarships were $2,500 each.
MS II Valeria Leon Risemberg, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
MS II Yadira Villalvazo, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
MS I Bernardo Chavira, MidWestern University
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix 4 year $20,000 scholarships. The University matches the ALMA award of $2,500 over a 4 year period.
MS II Monica Patricia Gomez Lopez
MS II Maricruz Cisneros
MS IV Eduardo Salazar
Family Nurse Practitioner Program Arizona State University
Karla Cabrera, RN, MSN
MedStart & Diversity Initiatives Grant to UA College of Medicine Tucson $2,500
Summer Scrubs Program Grant to UA College of Medicine Phoenix $2,500
2015
West Coast Ultrasound Institute and ALMA scholarship match program for their students. $1,000 award to Michelle Leon.
The following ALMA Scholarships were $2,500 each
MS I Valeria Leon Risemberg, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
MS I Karen Michelle Rico, UA College of Medicine – Tucson
NAU/Scottsdale Community College Nursing Program
Ruben Zamorano Padilla, Respiratory Therapist
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix 4 year $20,000 scholarships. The University matches the ALMA award of $2,500 over a 4 year period.
MS I Monica Patricia Gomez Lopez
MS II Maricruz Cisneros
MS III Eduardo Salazar
MedStart & Diversity Initiatives Grant to UA College of Medicine Tucson $2,000
Summer Scrubs Program Grant to UA College of Medicine Phoenix $2,000
2014
The ALMA Scholarships were $2,500 each
UA College of Medicine – Tucson:
MS II Francisco Andrade, Jr.
MS II Alfonso Robles
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix 4 year $20,000 scholarships. The University matches the ALMA award of $2,500 over a 4 year period.
MS I Maricruz Cisneros
MS II Eduardo Salazar
Universidad Autonomo de Guadalajara, Mexico & Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital
MS IV Daniel Contreras Alcántar
Grand Canyon University Nursing Programs:
Maricela Robles
Northern Arizona University/Mesa Community College:
Maria E. Curbelo
MedStart Program for high school students – Phoenix & Tucson
West Coast Ultrasound Institute & ALMA – Raúl Polanco ($1,000)
2013
West Coast Ultrasound Institute and ALMA started a scholarship match program for their students. $1,000 award to Raúl Polanco.
Grand Canyon University Nursing Programs:
BSN Rachel Garcia Perez
Family NP Monica Rangel, RN
UA College of Medicine – Tucson:
MS II Jessica Perez
MS IV Pablo Amador Sanchez
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix:
MS III Nina Lara
MS I Eduardo Salazar receives a joint $20,000 scholarship –
($5,000 per year for four years) from ALMA and the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix.
ASU Scottsdale Healthcare Graduate Education/University of Guadalajara School of Medicine:
MS III Shirley Mori
Med-Start Program for high school students – Phoenix & Tucson
2012
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
OMS III Claudia A. Alvarez
PA J. Guadalupe Gallo
OMS III Mohammad Lqbal Naqvi
Bilingual Fellowship Program Phoenix College Nursing
Liliana Reynosa
UA College of Medicine Phoenix Campus
MS II Eduardo Alcántar
MS II *Nina Lara
UA College of Medicine Tucson Campus
MS I Ana Casanova
MS II Juan Arturo Siordia
Med-Start Program for high school students – Phoenix & Tucson
UA College of Medicine, Phoenix & Tucson matched the ALMA scholarships provided to their students thus doubling their award to $4,000.
2011
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
OMS II Claudia A. Alvarez (Awarded $1,000)
OMS II Roxana Rodriquez (Awarded $500)
UA College of Medicine Phoenix Campus – *matched
ALMA $2,000 award.
MS I •Eduardo Alcántar, Jr. (Arizona Lottery)
MS I •Nina Lara
MS II Angel Ramon Lopez
MS III Andrea G. Aguirre
MS IV Carlo Guerrero
PharmD I Kellie Vasquez
Phoenix Community College
RN Lorena Sanchez
Med-Start Program for high school students
2010
UA College of Medicine
MS I Gabrielle Brown
MS IV Efrain Cubillo
MS III Juliet Peña
Intern Eduardo Rivera
MS IV Jessica Serrano
Phoenix College
RN Graciella Parra
Med-Start Program for high school students.
2009
UA College of Medicine Phoenix & Tucson Campus
MS IV Tomás Acuña
MS IV Raquel Irene Cisneros
MS IV Juan Ramon Hernández
MS IV Lilia Pinedo
MS IV Edouardo Rivera
NP Eva S. Mijares, RN
Med-Start Program for high school students.
2008
UA College of Medicine Phoenix & Tucson Campus
MS I Claudia Lizeth Chavez
MS III Raquel Irene Cisneros
MS III Juan Ramon Hernandez
MS III Patricia L. Olaya
MS IV Minerva Angélica Romero Arenas University of Arizona
Associate in Nursing Maria De Jesus Madrigal South Mountain and Gateway Community Colleges
Med-Start Program for high school students.
2007
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarship
MS III Thomas Acuña University of Arizona
Dr. Daniel De La Pava, Memorial Scholarship
MS II Juan Ramon Hernandez University of Arizona
MS II Lilia Pinedo University of Arizona
MS III Minerva Angélica Romero Arenas University of Arizona
BS Nursing Erika Rodriquez ASU College of Nursing & Healthcare
Innovation
Med-Start Program for high school students.
2006
MS II Minerva Angélica Romero Arenas University of Arizona
MS II Irene A. Gutierrez University of Arizona
PH III Brenda Castellanos MidWestern University
PhD Veronica Vital, RN, NP UA College of Nursing
Med-Start Program for high school students.
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarships
MS II Thomas Acuña University of Arizona
MS I Edourado E. Rivera University of Arizona
MS III Mario Diego Teran University of Arizona
2005
PH II Brenda Martinez-Castellanos Midwestern University
MS IV Lucina Avila Kidd Midwestern University
MS I José Anaya University of Arizona
MS I Irene A. Gutierrez University of Arizona
MS II Mario Diego Teran University of Arizona
Med-Start Program for high school students.
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarship
MS I Tomas Acuña University of Arizona
2004
PH I Brenda Martinez-Castellanos Midwestern University
MS III Lucina Avila Kidd Midwestern University
MS III Felipe R. Perez University of Arizona
MS IV Julissa Ochoa-Buck* University of Arizona
*Awarded additional $2,000 by Southern Arizona Physicians, Ernesto Gutierrez, M.D. and Xavier Martinez, M.D. at Tucson Hispanic Coalition meeting 12/10/04.
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarship
MS III Danielle Rios University of Arizona
Oscar Gluck Memorial Scholarship
MS III Santiago M. Cornejo University of Arizona
2003
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarship
MS IV Julio Cesar Garcia University of Arizona
Edgar H. Hernández, M.D. Scholarship
MS II Lucina Avila Midwestern University
Ernesto Gutierrez, M.D. & Xavier Martinez, M.D.
Southern Arizona Physicians Scholarship
MS II Felipe R. Perez University of Arizona
2002
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarships
MS IV Jesse Daniel Bracamonte Midwestern University
MS I Anthony Hugo Chavez University of Arizona
MS I Danielle Rae Rios University of Arizona
NP I Veronica Vital Arizona State University
(Family Practice Nurse Practitioner)
Southern Arizona Physicians Scholarship
MS I Felipe R. Perez University of Arizona
Dr. Edgar H. Hernández Scholarship
MS III Julio Cesar Garcia University of Arizona
2001
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarships
MS II Jennyfer Faridy Docco University of Arizona
MS III Abram A. Aguilar University of Arizona
PH I Claudia Vargas Midwestern University
Dr. Edgar H. Hernández Scholarship
MS II Keren E. Cedillos University of Arizona
2000
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarship
MS II Jesse Daniel Bracamonte Midwestern University
Dr. Edgar H. Hernández Scholarship
MS IV (Albert) Tony Ramirez University of Arizona
Raoul & Lucy Carmona Memorial Scholarship
MS I Julissa Ochoa University of Arizona
MS I Xena Frisby University of Arizona
1999
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Memorial Scholarships To be awarded annually in honor and remembrance of deceased Charter Member
MS II Marlene Rodriquez University of Arizona
MS I Gail Del Carmen Guerrero-Tucker University of Arizona
1998
MS III Fred Johnson Midwestern University
MS II Alain Coppel University of Arizona
MS I Celinda Rangel University of Arizona
Medical student scholarship recipients received $1,500 at start of program increasing to $2,000 in the year 2000 and $2,500 in 2014. The UA MedStart Program Received $2,500 per year through 2013, increasing to $5,000 in 2014. Other recipient awards are noted in the year provided.
Medical student scholarship recipients received $2,000 each from Program Year 2000 to 2013 and increased to $2,500 in 2014. The UA Medical School Phoenix Campus recipients received $5,000 per year from 2014 ending in 2018 through a joint matching program. The historical record provides, students name, class year awarded a scholarship, amount awarded and school represented.
The MedStart and Scrubs high school summer Programs sponsored by UA Phoenix and Tucson Medical School Campuses received $2,000 each from 2005 through 2015, increasing to $2,500 in 2016 until the programs ended in 2017.
Nursing, PharmD and ultra sound technician students have also been awarded scholarships starting in 2001. They represent a variety of educational institutions in Arizona. The awards vary from $1,000 to $2,500. The West Coast Ultrasound Institute matches the ALMA grants.
Starting in 2023, the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Arizona Campus, joined our initiative matching ALMA award, doubling the grant to $5,000.
ALMA Gala and Casino Night Memories
ALMA Founding Activities
ALMA sponsored conferences were held at ASU and UA Tucson as well as other locations.
The ALMA Gala’s beginning
Dr. Eduardo Alcantar, MD., third (1997-98) ALMA Council Chairperson, established the annual ALMA Gala.
To view a video Dr. Alcantar please click: English or Español
Winds of Change in Health Care: Its Implications for Latinos.
Co-Sponsor: Office of the Dean, University of Arizona Health Science Center, Tucson, Arizona. Sample video provided for July 23, 1994 Tucson Conference.
Response to Arizona Government ERA restrictions for provision of healthcare to undocumented residents
Free Health Fairs were held in Central Phoenix, Guadalupe, Glendale, Maryvale, Mesa, Tempe, Nogales and Casa Grande. Uninsured & under Insured US citizens and undocumented residents were served.
Sample video provided for October 12, 1998 Health Fair at Maryvale, Phoenix, AZ.
La Voz de ALMA Radio – KPHX, la Mexicana Super X, 1480 AM radio
First program took place on Tuesday, November 5, 1996. Presenters were Eduardo Alcantár, MD, MPH, ALMA Chairman, Victor Salazar-Calderón, MD, Immediate Past Chairman, and Adolfo Echeveste, ALMA Executive Director.
They were followed in January 1997 by: Jose Francisco Carrasco, MD, Pediatrician, Samuel Benjamin, MD, Family Practice & Pediatrician, Raymond Valdivia, MD, Family Practice, and Cesar Castro Marin, MD, OBG.
1996-1997 complete program presentations.
*Disclaimer: the presentations are provided as part of the ALMA historical record and not for medical advice as information may be outdated.