On October 13, 2023, the Latino Alumni Association of Columbia University (LAACU) honored Jorge Moreno, MD, assistant professor of medicine (general internal medicine), with the Emerging Trailblazer Award at their annual gala during Latinx Heritage Month. The award recognizes “selfless individuals for their achievements and positive influence on the Latinx community.”
We sat down with Moreno to discuss the recognition, his journey in medicine, and his significant advocacy work.
Q: Can you tell us about your initial thoughts and emotions when you found out about this recognition?
Moreno: Being recognized and receiving the award from Columbia University was a truly unexpected honor. It prompted me to reflect on my career and health disparities I've have seen affecting the Latinx community, which were magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am humbled by the recognition. I hope to continue engaging with the Latinx community, share my expertise, and help find solutions to address these healthcare disparities.
Q: Could you share a bit about your background and journey through your career in medicine?
Moreno: Growing up, my parents instilled a strong work ethic in me. They were hardworking individuals and encouraged me to really work toward my education. My dad had a two-word philosophy: 'Échale Ganas' in Spanish, which translates to 'give it your all.’ This became my guiding principle. After completing my undergraduate studies at Columbia, I decided to take a year off before medical school to strengthen my application. My medical school experience at the University of Rochester was very meaningful—teaching me about the biopsychosocial model and its holistic approach to medicine. Training at the Yale Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency Program was transformative and solidified my passion for primary care. After finishing my residency, I ventured into private practice for four years before returning to academia.
Q: How was your transition back to academia after spending time in private practice?
Moreno: During my time in private practice, I realized the profound importance of preventative care and developed a deep interest in treating obesity, which ultimately led me to pursue further certification in obesity medicine. Returning to academia at Yale was a significant step in my career. I played a key role in establishing a subspecialty obesity medicine clinic at Yale Internal Medicine Associates, effectively bridging primary care with obesity medicine. Additionally, I've been actively involved in developing curricula on obesity medicine for medical students, residents, and physician associate (PA) students. Given the rising prevalence of obesity, I believe it's critical to equip future healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to manage these patients effectively and with compassion.
Q: In addition to your medical profession, you're being recognized as an emerging leader in the Latinx community. What inspired you to become an advocate and leader within the Latinx community?
Moreno: Coming from a Mexican immigrant background, I witnessed the healthcare challenges my parents faced due to language and cultural barriers. My dream was always to become a doctor, to provide primary care, and help patients navigate the healthcare system, especially those from Latinx backgrounds. I aim to listen to the concerns of the Latinx community, understand the diverse nuances within the Latinx community and ask the right questions to provide better care.
Q: The Latinx community is incredibly diverse. What strategies have you employed to ensure that your initiatives are inclusive and reach a broad range of Latinx individuals?
Moreno: The Latinx community is not just one group, but a heterogeneous one consisting of multiple cultures and countries, whether they are from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, or Cuba. There are diverse stories within each of these groups. I don’t consider myself an expert in everybody’s history or culture. But as a Latinx provider, I hope to be more aware of these differences and nuances. This allows me to communicate better with my patients, ask meaningful follow-up questions, and provide effective care.
Q: Can you describe some of the initiatives or projects you've been involved in that have made a positive impact within the Latinx community?
Moreno: During the COVID-19 pandemic, I witnessed the disproportionate impact on the Latinx and African American communities. I also observed a lack of Spanish-language resources and information regarding vaccines. This led me to create videos and other materials in Spanish, debunking misinformation about the vaccination experience. I became actively involved in initiatives aimed at educating the community about vaccines and addressing vaccine hesitancy. Currently, I am working on creating more awareness in the inequities affecting obesity care in the Latinx community and recently participated as a featured expert in an Emmy-winning television special in Spanish discussing advances in obesity pharmacotherapy.
Q: How do you see this award impacting your work and your ability to make a difference in both the medical field and the Latinx community?
Moreno: This award serves as a powerful motivation for me to continue amplifying the voice of the Latinx community and being a trusted messenger. Whether it's vaccines, obesity, diabetes, or any health-related topic, simplifying complex information in ways that people can understand is crucial.
Q: What are your future goals?
Moreno: In the coming years, I see myself working towards not only educating the community but also potentially influencing health policy in a more significant way. My recent experience as a National Hispanic Medical Association leadership fellow opened my eyes to the possibilities of bringing clinical expertise into the realm of health policy. I believe in diversifying the healthcare workforce, including doctors, nurses, and PAs, and addressing the fact that currently, only about 6% of doctors are Latinx. As our community continues to grow, I aim to be part of the change, striving to increase the representation of Latinx doctors to better serve our community's healthcare needs.
*Moreno prefers Latinx, a gender-neutral term.
General Internal Medicine is committed to the core missions of patient care, research, education, and community health from the “generalist” perspective and is one of the 11 sections with the Department of Internal Medicine. To learn more about their mission and work, visit General Internal Medicine.