2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Richard Echeverria

Richard Echeverria, research specialist for the Sadigh Lab, has made invaluable contributions to the laboratory’s mission to eliminate health disparities, especially in relation to lung cancer screenings.

Echeverria has been recognized for his ability to translate an understanding of socioeconomic determinants of healthcare access into meaningful interactions with patients that result in improved healthcare participation and outcomes. His colleagues make specific mention of Echeverria’s connections to patients, noting that he is intentional about learning more about every patient he encounters, exemplifying patience, empathy and flexibility to address each individual based on their own level of comfort and health circumstances.

All in all, over 50% of the patients that Echeverria has successfully recruited on behalf of the Sadigh Lab have been Spanish speakers – a testament to the trust that he is able to develop through his holistic approach to care. This current role is only the latest endeavor in his professional commitment to the Hispanic community, as he has previously provided community service and educational opportunities in predominantly Hispanic sectors of East Los Angeles and Santa Ana, respectively. Echeverria is also a graduate of UCI with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences.

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