Chicago Chapter Charter Member Lubina Perez Opens Doors With National Forum for Latino Healthcare Executives
CHICAGO – Lubina Perez, a member of the National Forum for Latino Health Care Executives (NFLHE), never envisioned being the CEO of a hospital when she entered the University of Illinois master of health administration program in 2005 – until she met her mentors.
Her first mentor – Benn Greenspan, former president and CEO of Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center in Chicago – told Perez that one day she, too, could be in the executive suite if she wanted to. He said the MHA program at the university’s Chicago School of Public Health could provide her the skills and exposure she would need in health care administration.
That simple revelation was nothing short of a eureka moment for the then 24-year-old, who has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois. Perez thought simply, “This is wonderful.”
By that time, Perez had already volunteered at a community health clinic in Chicago, where she was first introduced into the world of health administration.
“I saw how community clinics were being run, and I started to get interested in public health,” said Perez, who is actively working with other careerists to build the Chicago chapter of NFLHE. The organization works toward building and promoting a network of future health care leaders and seeks to foster discussion with respect to health policy and research agenda affecting the U.S. Latino communities.
Her job also has played a role in her aspirations. Perez works for Susan Nordstrom Lopez, CEO of Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, and other hospital managers.
“She is such a great mentor,” Perez said of Lopez. “I have learned so much from her. She is well-respected. She allows me to think that one day I can do this. She is a mom, has a family and is still able to run a hospital and do it all.”
Perez has also sought help in her career by reaching out and joining several organizations, including Chicago-based NFLHE. NFLHE is a national organization led by senior executive health care leaders in the U.S. whose vision is to be a voice for their experience and of the diverse communities they serve. NFLHE supports executive leadership development and encourages Latino leadership representation on a national level.
“This is a good organization to spread the word about all the opportunities in health care administration, especially for Latinos,” she said. “There are not enough Latinos in health care administration.”
“It’s encouraging to see our NFLHE members like Lubina Perez succeed and grow in their careers,” said NFLHE President Hank Hernandez, who is the CEO of Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso, TX. “That’s one of our main goals – to be a support system and network for the next generation of Latino health care executives.
“At NFLHE, we strive toward enabling and placing Latinos beyond the CEO ranks and into the highest health care levels, such as regional and division positions,” Hernandez said.
Perez’ parents came to the United States from Mexico in the late 1970s to find new avenues of prosperity and opportunity for their family. They succeeded. Their three children have earned college degrees. Perez’ younger sister, Griselda Perez, is a registered nurse at another Advocate Health Care site. Her brother, Jose Perez, has a BS in criminal justice from the University of Illinois.
Like many first-generation immigrants, Perez’ first language is Spanish. Her mother, Maria Perez, rejected school administrators who sought to put her children into ESL classes, deciding instead it was sink or swim for them when it came to learning English and doing well in school.
“Thank God, we did,” Perez said. “It’s also a blessing for me that I know Spanish so well. I was working on an HR project and [Spanish-speaking] associates come up to me who can’t understand their benefits. It makes me feel like I’m really helping out a family member.”
It seems Perez’ mother was on to something. Being bilingual is a major asset today, especially in health care. “We have a major initiative for our staff to speak Spanish,” Lopez said. “Lubina was our first Latina health administrator intern. She has a wonderful way with people.”
Perez has since graduated from the program and is doing a fellowship at Illinois Masonic – the hospital where she was born. She’s the program’s first Latina fellow.
What’s the secret of her success? Lopez said young careerist today “just need to learn how to ask good questions.”
“You have to relate very well with people and physicians,” Lopez said. “Lubina has a wonderful way about her, and she puts people at ease.”
“There aren’t enough Latino health administrators. One of my goals is to get it on their radar by reaching out to high schools and also to those in other health care careers,” Lopez said. “I would like to elevate education in Latino families and identify people early on to get them on track for a career in health administration.”
Perez said NFLHE provides networking opportunities for young careerists such as her. “I have been able to meet presidents from hospitals in California and Texas,” she said. “There is so many great people in this organization.”
Perez was among the young careerists attending the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress on Leadership in Chicago March 11-12. The event also honored the inauguration of the Chicago chapter of NFLHE.
“There’s great satisfaction when we see young careerists like Lubina Perez get involved in NFLHE and gain so much from the experience,” NFLHE Executive Director Angela Anderson said. “That’s why we’re here, and to see that happen is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.”
Lopez also was be there, looking for that next star to help reach for the sky.
Lopez said groups such as NFLHE could be very valuable and helpful.
“I think hospitals are trying to find more Latino health care administrators, and NFLHE could help in that way as being a resource,” she said.
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