Minolfa C. Prieto, MD, PhD: Associate Professor of Physiology
Dr. Minolfa C. Prieto, a US citizen from Venezuela, is an Associate Professor of Physiology whose career is a powerful reflection of service, excellence, and mentorship. Her most significant accomplishment is the creation and sustained growth of the Medical Spanish program at Tulane School of Medicine, which she founded in 2016. This initiative addresses the crucial need for culturally competent physicians who can effectively and compassionately care for the growing Hispanic population. She is praised for designing a longitudinal curriculum that empowers medical students to reduce barriers to care, improve the quality of patient-physician relationships, and promote health equity.
Dr. Prieto’s deep commitment to community is evident in her aim to transform language and culture from barriers into “bridges to trust, dignity, and better outcomes” in healthcare. By training culturally competent physicians, she is cultivating a broader culture of inclusion and advocacy that strengthens community trust and reduces health disparities. She believes that investing in language and education helps Hispanic communities thrive and be served with the respect they deserve.
The heart of Dr. Prieto’s work is mentorship; she finds immense fulfillment in guiding her trainees—students and fellows—calling them her “compass, inspiration, and everyday happiness”. She serves as an inspiration by demonstrating that scientific achievement and representation can coexist with profound community service. Her advice to young Latinas in medical research is to be persistent, unapologetic about their ambitions, and to remember that their unique perspective matters, as diversity in medical research saves lives. Dr. Prieto stands as proof that Latina leadership in science transforms lives and strengthens communities.
