Ramon L. Jimenez, MD: A Diverse Life( Carrying a message of education and c...),Health

Carrying a message of education and cultural competence as keys to success

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (http://www.aaos.org/) (AAOS) is honored to recognize a surgeon who has spent the majority of his life encouraging those of diverse backgrounds to pursue the orthopaedic specialty and who has never forgotten his Mexican heritage. Ramon L. Jimenez, MD, was presented today with the Academy's Diversity Award at its 2009 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. "Receiving this award from the Academy is truly an honor and a humbling experience because of all the great individuals who have received it before me," noted Dr. Jimenez.

A practicing orthopaedic surgeon in San Jose, California, for more than 30 years, his journey both personally and professionally began well before that, when his beloved grandfather brought his mother's family to California from their hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico, in the 1920's. Dr. Jimenez also credits his parents for significantly influencing his life direction and core values. "They constantly reminded me that I should never forget my Mexican heritage and culture, especially my ability to speak Spanish."

Growing up in California, Dr. Jimenez recalls there were only a few Latinos out of nearly 800 students in the school he attended. While he was accepted, he soon realized that he was different in cultural background. "I missed out on some mentoring opportunities, such as visiting a hospital or being exposed to professional careers simply because my family was not in those socioeconomic circles," cited Dr. Jimenez. This did not detour his drive or thirst for knowledge. Rather it inspired his quest to become a mentor himself. "Minority students, especially Hispanic/Latinos, continue to face barriers and obstacles to profess
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