Senior Associate Dean of Research,

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing

Originally from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Hector holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering along with a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. His professional experience spans both academia and community service, including his current role as Senior Associate Dean of Research at OHSU’s School of Nursing. He has led initiatives to increase research infrastructure, support faculty development, and enhance health equity science.

Hector has a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for Latino communities, reflected in his community service supporting Environmental Justice Communities across the nation. He also serves as chair of the external advisory board for the Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine at the University of New Mexico, supporting research in environmental health. In his spare time, Hector enjoys learning about the evolutionary origins of human behavior, particularly how humans experience happiness and joy.

Junior Clinic Coordinator, School of Dental Hygiene Studies,

Pacific University

Mónica was born in México and grew up in Washington County, Oregon. Her passion to serve others and her affinity to the sciences led her to pursue a career in healthcare. She is an expanded practice dental hygienist and among the first dental therapists. Prior to joining Pacific University, her alma mater, as a full-time faculty member in July 2018, Mónica worked in clinical practice at a federally qualified health center, delivering care to underserved and uninsured communities. As an educator, she is dedicated to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where students feel empowered to learn, grow, and develop into compassionate healthcare professionals and community advocates. In her free time, Mónica enjoys spending time outdoors, as well as with family and friends.

Project Manager, 

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

Fernando is from the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast. He was born in Coos Bay, OR, but was raised in Brookings, OR. Fernando holds a Bachelors in Business Administration focusing in Finance and Marketing. To add, he also holds a Master of Business Administration with focuses in Organizational Behavior and Leadership with a speciality in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Workplace. Fernando is an active servant leader, serving on a handful of nonprofit boards and Washington County Commissions. Fernando enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, traveling, and trying new things.

Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success & Engagement, 

Warner Pacific 

Darilís García, Ph.D., hailing from Puerto Rico, is the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success & Engagement at Warner Pacific University and also serves as an adjunct faculty member in communication at the University of Arizona Global Campus. With 25 years of experience in higher education, she has expertise in student affairs, student services, enrollment management, and instruction. Dr. García is a board member of Good N The Hood and co-founded Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, Inc., a Latina-based sorority established at the University of Michigan. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography, and spending time with her daughter. Dr. García holds a Ph.D. in Educational Management in Higher Education from Hampton University, an MA in Communication from the University of Texas at El Paso, an MA in Counseling from Eastern Michigan University, and a BA in Communication from the University of Michigan.

Medical Operations Department Administrator, 

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

Juan’s family immigrated to Oregon in the early ‘90s, eventually settling in Hillsboro. He spent his childhood as an undocumented immigrant in the area until he enrolled at the University of Oregon. From there Juan went off to earn a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Washington. Juan currently works at Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, a local Federally Qualified Health Center, as a department administrator leading medical operations. One of the highlights of Juan’s work includes being able to grow strong leaders, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Beyond his career in healthcare, Juan also serves on the board of directors of Project Access NOW! and the Domestic Violence Resource Center of Washington County. When not working to improve healthcare for the local community, Juan enjoys fishing, biking, and spending time with family, friends, and his dogs.

Family Medicine Doctor and Assistant Professor,

Oregon Health and Science (OHSU) Student Health and Wellness Clinic

Dr. Mizushima is a first-generation college graduate who is proud of her multicultural upbringing and her Jarocha roots (her mother is native to Veracruz, México). She earned her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed Family Medicine residency at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).  After completing residency, she practiced full spectrum family medicine, which included delivering babies and providing holistic care for Spanish speaking families. 

Dr. Mizushima’s dedication to the community spans decades and includes work as a San Francisco “Health Care for the Homeless” community health outreach worker and more recently includes her advocacy focused on access issues Latinx students experience when trying to address basic physical and mental health care needs.  

She recently completed Latino Network’s Unido@s leadership program and in 2025 she was honored to be selected for additional health equity leadership training and support for further project development through OHA’s DELTA program.

Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting with spices in the kitchen, music (mariachi and son Jarocho), finding humor wherever she can, and spending time with loved ones.

Labor and Employment Attorney,

Littler Mendelson, P.C.

Gilbert is from Southern California—born in L.A. County and raised in the High Desert of Southern California—he is a first-generation college and law school graduate. His parents and family immigrated from El Salvador during the Salvadoran civil war.

 He received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy with an emphasis on Ethics and Public Policy from the University of California Santa Barbara, and received his law degree from University of Oregon School of Law. He was fortunate to work for judges during and after law school at the state trial and appellate courts and at the federal trial court, and currently, he is a labor and employment attorney at Littler Mendelson P.C..

 He has served as an attorney-mentor to law students with similar backgrounds of his, and he currently serves on the board for the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association, where they aim, in part, to raise funds for and award grants to law students of diverse backgrounds as they prepare for the bar exam.

 Outside of work, he enjoys playing music, learning new recipes, and learning to play golf.