The richness of Hispanic heritage and its impact on our communities is something we celebrate as a health system every year, honoring the diverse cultures, histories and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino colleagues.
Embracing a Blend of Cultures
Ariana Canales, RN, a registered nurse at Our Lady of the Lake Health, proudly celebrates her Latina and Cajun roots. With her father hailing from El Salvador and her mother from Abbeville, she feels a deep connection to both cultures. “I have always been proud of being Latina. El Salvador will always be my second home,” Canales says.
Caneles’ family keeps their heritage alive through language, traditional recipes and vibrant activities. One cherished tradition is attending a New Year festival in Corinto, El Salvador, where neighborhoods come alive with music, parades and food.
Inspired by her grandmother to become a nurse, Caneles carries forward the values she learned into her daily work. “I have tons of strong women in my life I look up to, both Latina and Cajun,” she says.
A Culinary Journey Through Guatemala
As a performance improvement engineer at Our Lady of the Lake Health, Juan Guzman-Noguera cherishes his Guatemalan heritage, particularly through its culinary traditions. He enjoys visiting family in Guatemala and learning how to prepare dishes like tapado, a sweet and savory stew he first tasted when earning his driver’s license.
One of Guzman-Noguera’s favorite traditions is celebrating Christmas Day with pork tamales, a beloved dish that reflects Guatemala’s rich cultural tapestry. “Guatemala is a culturally rich country with much to offer, and if you have ever considered visiting, I highly encourage you do,” he says.
Passing Down Family Recipes
Danielle Ramirez, a patient access representative at Our Lady of Lourdes Physician Group, treasures her Mexican heritage, particularly through the art of cooking. Her family, originally from Monterrey, Mexico, takes pride in preparing traditional dishes, with her grandfather’s homemade tamales being a standout favorite.
“During the holidays, he makes the most delicious homemade tamales ever! Everyone in the community loves them back in Texas. It is healing food for the soul,” Ramirez says. Through these culinary traditions, she keeps her culture alive and shares it with those around her.
Tradition and Togetherness
Janet Romero, LPN, a surgical nurse at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, has been part of our ministry for 12 years. Her family’s Mexican heritage is an integral part of their lives, with a special emphasis on food.
Every year, Romero’s family gathers to make her mom’s tamale recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas, ensuring that their cultural roots remain a vital part of their celebrations.
The tradition of enjoying traditional Mexican food every weekend also plays a central role in Romero’s family life, reinforcing their connection to their heritage.
Honoring Costa Rican Traditions
Ralph Serpas, chief operating officer at Our Lady of the Angels Health, deeply values his Costa Rican heritage. Having served in our ministry for 16 years, Serpas shares his love for Costa Rican culture with his children through visits to the country, where they experience its vibrant traditions firsthand.
One cherished tradition in Serpas’ family is celebrating Christmas with Costa Rican parades, food and festivals. The unique custom of filling shoes with small gifts holds special significance for him, as his grandfather moved to America to open a shoe repair shop. “Shoes were very important to the family and made this tradition special,” Serpas says.
A Fusion of Cultures
As a workforce development specialist for our health system, Michelle Danos celebrates a rich blend of cultural influences from her Nicaraguan mother and Greek father. Her family’s holiday meals are a unique fusion of Greek and Nicaraguan cuisine, featuring dishes like spanakopita and nacatamales.
Danos’ love for her Nicaraguan heritage shines through her passion for music and dance, as well as her favorite dish, nacatamales. “We create an assembly line when we put them together because it’s so much work, but I could eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never get tired of them,” she says.
Keeping Language at the Heart of Culture
Julia Lemoine, an employee relations specialist for our health system, celebrates her Guatemalan heritage by embracing her language. “Language is the cornerstone of our culture, so keeping up with speaking Spanish is very important to me,” she says. She is passing this tradition on to her daughter, teaching her Spanish so she can stay connected with their family in Guatemala.
One of Lemoine’s favorite family traditions is celebrating Christmas Eve by staying up until midnight and enjoying tamales prepared by her grandmother. “My grandma uses the same traditional ingredients she used when she lived in Guatemala,” Lemoine says, noting how their family comes together over food and stories from her grandmother’s childhood.
Our Commitment
Our ministry’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion supports culturally competent care education for our team members all year long, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month each September.
