In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. José Parés-Avila, the Interim DNP Program Director at WSU College of Nursing, reflects on his 35-year career dedicated to improving healthcare for Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities. Beginning his career as a behavioral health professional during the peak of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s, Dr. Parés-Avila was deeply moved by the dedication of nurses and found his calling to nursing as a second career. “If I knew back then what I know now, I would have [initially] gone into nursing,” he recalls telling a nurse mentor. Under her guidance, he pursued nursing education while working nights, eventually earning his BSN, MN, and DNP degrees from the University of Washington. His journey has informed his passion for culturally competent care and addressing the unique challenges faced by underserved communities.
My heritage influences everything I do and who I am.
Dr. José Parés-Avila, Interim DNP Program Director, WSU College of Nursing
Dr. Parés-Avila’s heritage plays a crucial role in his approach to healthcare. “My heritage influences everything I do and who I am,” he shares. As a Puerto Rican, Dr. Parés-Avila is keenly aware of the experiences of acculturation stress and the need for health equity, particularly within Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities. He emphasizes the importance of cultural competence in healthcare settings, advocating for experiential learning opportunities to better understand diverse patient backgrounds. “I wish everyone in the health sciences could go abroad as part of their training. Often, you do not have to leave U.S. soil to feel like you are abroad,” he notes, pointing out the value of community and population health rotations in broadening the perspectives of future healthcare providers.
In his role at WSU, Dr. Parés-Avila is committed to mentoring Hispanic students and incorporating inclusive content into the curriculum. He has been actively involved in research projects aimed at improving chronic care for Hispanic patients and is passionate about enhancing care for those living with diabetes. Despite the progress made, he acknowledges that representation within the student body and faculty remains a challenge. “In WSU, I feel acutely underrepresented, and that pains me as we don’t come close to the representation of Hispanics in the student body and among staff and faculty,” he says. As a leader and advocate, Dr. Parés-Avila continues to be a voice for diversity, health equity, and cultural understanding in nursing education.
Dr. Parés-Avila’s heritage plays a crucial role in his approach to healthcare. “My heritage influences everything I do and who I am,” he shares. As a Puerto Rican, Dr. Parés-Avila is keenly aware of the experiences of acculturation stress and the need for health equity, particularly within Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities. He emphasizes the importance of cultural competence in healthcare settings, advocating for experiential learning opportunities to better understand diverse patient backgrounds. “I wish everyone in the health sciences could go abroad as part of their training. Often, you do not have to leave U.S. soil to feel like you are abroad,” he notes, pointing out the value of community and population health rotations in broadening the perspectives of future healthcare providers.
In his role at WSU, Dr. Parés-Avila is committed to mentoring Hispanic students and incorporating inclusive content into the curriculum. He has been actively involved in research projects aimed at improving chronic care for Hispanic patients and is passionate about enhancing care for those living with diabetes. Despite the progress made, he acknowledges that representation within the student body and faculty remains a challenge. “In WSU, I feel acutely underrepresented, and that pains me as we don’t come close to the representation of Hispanics in the student body and among staff and faculty,” he says. As a leader and advocate, Dr. Parés-Avila continues to be a voice for diversity, health equity, and cultural understanding in nursing education.
