As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to highlight some prominent members of Delaware’s Hispanic community. As diverse as the Hispanic community itself, the amazing people we want to recognize are working hard to support and enrich the lives of our Hispanic community as well as Delawareans generally.
Jackeline Rodriguez is the Family Services Coordinator at the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington. She has been the Family Services Coordinator for the Early Head Start (EHS) and Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP) at Latin Community Center since 2016. She has devoted over seventeen years of professional services to developing and supporting students and their families, connecting them with local programs and community services, and providing crucial help to numerous students. Jackeline has been a key leader for many projects to support families and students, including “Subsistence Support Programs” and “Honor Abstinence.” She has also provided support in programs like “Adopt-A-Family” and has worked closely with Wanda Barrett of United Way of Delaware to coordinate activities benefiting families and children in the Early Development Center. A native of the Dominican Republic, Jackeline has been recognized for excellence by the Health Department of Puerto Rico in 2009 and Puerto Rico’s Governor in 2010.
Spanish: Jackeline Rodriguez es la Coordinadora de Servicios Familiares en el Latin American Community Center en Wilmington. Ha sido la Coordinadora de Servicios Familiares para el Early Head Start (EHS) y el Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP) en Latin Community Center desde el año 2016. Ha dedicado más de diesisiete años de servicios profesionales para el desarrollo y apoyo de estudiantes y sus familias, conectándolos con programas locales y servicios comunitarios, y brindando ayuda crucial a numerosos estudiantes. Jackeline ha sido una líder clave en muchos proyectos para apoyar a las familias y estudiantes, incluyendo los programas “Subsistence Support Programs” y “Honor Abstinence”. También ha brindado apoyo en programas como “Adopt-A-Family” y ha trabajado de cerca con Wanda Barrett de United Way of Delaware para coordinar actividades en beneficio de las familias y niños en el Early Development Center. Originaria de la República Dominicana, Jackeline ha sido reconocida por su excelencia por el Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico en 2009 y por el Gobernador de Puerto Rico en 2010.
Edwin Santos is a native of Puerto Rico who grew up in Sussex County, Delaware. He has successfully worked with thousands of students through Stand By Me Delaware’s NexGen’s College, Careers & Cash, and College Funding Project programs in schools statewide. He has played a part in creating relevant post-secondary and college access content for Delaware families in both English and Spanish. Edwin draws real-world wisdom and insight from experience in banking, consumer lending, entrepreneurship, and his journey as an acclaimed published children’s book author.
Spanish: Edwin Santos es natural de Puerto Rico y creció en el condado de Sussex, Delaware. Ha tenido éxito trabajando con miles de estudiantes a través de los programas College Careers & Cash y College Funding Project de $tand By Me NexGen, en numerosas escuelas de todo el estado. Ha contribuido en la creación de contenido relevante sobre educación postsecundaria y acceso a la universidad para las familias de Delaware, tanto en inglés como en español. Edwin aporta sabiduría e información del mundo real a partir de su experiencia en banca, préstamos al consumidor, emprendimiento y su trayectoria como aclamado autor de libros infantiles publicados.
Yina Gabriela Rosa is a native of Honduras. She is a lawyer in her home country from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma of Honduras and a member of the Honduras Bar Association since 2019.
After obtaining her law degree in Honduras, she came to the United States to study for her Master’s at Pennsylvania State University. She received a Master’s degree in law (LLM). Yina started her journey in the immigration field upon her graduation in the US.
She now works for the Latin American Community Center (LACC), which just obtained recognition from the Department of Justice. Also, accreditation was approved for Yina from the Department of Justice to practice law and represent clients in the immigration area. The Immigration Program at the LACC provides significant benefits to the Hispanic community. The program helps and empowers the community by assisting them to adjust or seek relief in their immigration status.
Spanish: Yina Gabriela Rosa es originaria de Honduras. Es abogada en su país de origen, graduada de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras y miembro del Colegio de Abogados de Honduras desde 2019.
Después de obtener su título en derecho en Honduras, vino a Estados Unidos para estudiar su maestría en la Universidad Estatal de Pensilvania, donde obtuvo un Master en Derecho (LLM). Yina inició su carrera en el campo de inmigración al graduarse en Estados Unidos.
Actualmente trabaja para el Latin American Community Center (LACC), que recientemente obtuvo el Reconocimiento del Departamento de Justicia. Además, se aprobó la acreditación de Yina por parte del Departamento de Justicia para ejercer la abogacía y representar a clientes en el área de inmigración. El Programa de Inmigración en el LACC se ha convertido en un gran recurso para la comunidad, ya que ayuda y empodera a las personas brindándoles asistencia en el ajuste de su estatus o en la búsqueda de alivio con respecto a su situación migratoria.
Laura Mayor is a General Case Manager at Wilmington’s Latin American Community Center (LACC). A native of Peru, she earned a Bachelor of Law from the University of Lima in Peru and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Barcelona, Spain. She has been passionate about helping those in need from a young age. At LACC, Laura is in charge of Crisis Alleviation, which includes programs such as helping individuals to pay their rent, mortgage, utilities, food, and clothing and filing social benefits forms.
“I feel happy and grateful to work at LACC, positively impacting many people’s lives in a difficult situation. Many of them are immigrants like me; some do not speak English, but we can give them quality care because we are a bilingual team and do our work with great passion. Thanks to our partnerships, we can continue to reach more people in our community, and with our valuable team, we can make good things happen.”
Spanish: Laura es peruana, graduada en Derecho por la Universidad de Lima en Perú y tiene un máster en Gestión de Recursos Humanos de Barcelona, España. Desde muy joven ha sentido pasión por ayudar a las personas más necesitadas. Actualmente, Laura trabaja como Gerente General de Casos en LACC y está a cargo del Alivio de Crisis, que incluye programas de apoyo como el pago de alquiler, hipoteca, servicios públicos, alimentos, ropa y ayuda en la presentación de formularios de beneficios sociales.
“Me siento feliz y agradecida de trabajar en LACC, impactando positivamente la vida de muchas personas que atraviesan una situación difícil. Muchos de ellos son inmigrantes como yo; algunos no hablan inglés, pero podemos brindarles atención de calidad porque contamos con un equipo bilingüe y realizamos nuestro trabajo con gran pasión. Gracias a nuestras alianzas, podemos seguir llegando a más personas en nuestra comunidad y, con nuestro valioso equipo, podemos lograr cosas buenas.”
Pastor Dr. Maribel Zaragoza has dedicated over 30 years to serving as a physician and 20 years as a pastor in Delaware. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Puerto Rico, she excelled academically and completed her pre-med degree with honors at the University of Puerto Rico. She obtained her medical degree with honors from the Universidad Pedro Henriquez Urena in the Dominican Republic and specialized in Internal Medicine in Ohio.
In 1990, Dr. Zaragoza became the first Medical Director of Westside Health Service in Delaware, successfully securing federal funding that transformed it into a Federally Qualified Health Center. She later joined Beebe Health Center in Dover, serving as a physician on staff and contributing to its mission as a non-profit hospital in Sussex County.
Dr. Zaragoza has been Medical Director of Wellness Centers, Walk-In clinics, and other Federally Qualified Health Centers. She has provided primary care services to the Hispanic community in Milton for numerous years and in Lewes more recently.
Dr. Zaragoza actively engages with Beebe Walk-In, providing care at various locations. Her outstanding contributions and dedication have been recognized through numerous awards as a physician and a pastor. Dr. Zaragoza’s passion for serving extends beyond her medical career. She has embarked on medical missions worldwide alongside her husband, Ennio Zaragoza, a pastor and businessman, and their two sons, Ennio Emmanuel and Eli-Dan Esteban.
Despite her busy schedule, Dr. Zaragoza embraces an active and fulfilling life, as she firmly believes that it is possible to pursue one’s passions and make a difference in the lives of others.
Spanish: La pastora Dra. Maribel Zaragoza ha dedicado más de 30 años a ejercer como médico y 20 años como pastora en Delaware. Nacida en Filadelfia y criada en Puerto Rico, se destacó académicamente y completó su licenciatura en premedicina con honores en la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Obtuvo su título de médico con honores en la Universidad Pedro Henríquez Ureña en la República Dominicana y se especializó en Medicina Interna en Ohio.
En 1990, la Dra. Zaragoza se convirtió en la primera Directora Médica de Westside Health Service en Delaware, asegurando con éxito financiación federal que lo convirtió en un Centro de Salud Federalmente Calificado. Posteriormente, se unió al Beebe Health Center en Dover, ejerciendo como médico de equipo y contribuyendo a su misión como un hospital sin fines de lucro en el condado de Sussex.
A lo largo de su carrera, la Dra. Zaragoza ha sido Directora Médica de Centros de Bienestar, clínicas sin cita previa y otros Centros de Salud Federalmente Calificados. Ha brindado servicios de atención primaria a la comunidad hispana en Milton durante muchos años y más recientemente en Lewes.
La Dra. Maribel Zaragoza participa activamente en Beebe Walk-In, brindando atención en diversas ubicaciones. Sus destacadas contribuciones y dedicación han sido reconocidas a través de numerosos premios tanto como médica como pastora.
La pasión de la Dra. Zaragoza por el servicio se extiende más allá de su carrera médica. Ha emprendido misiones médicas en todo el mundo junto a su esposo, Ennio Zaragoza, pastor y empresario, y sus dos hijos, Ennio Emmanuel y Eli-Dan Esteban.
A pesar de su tan ocupada agenda, la Dra. Zaragoza abraza una vida activa y plena, ya que cree firmemente que es posible perseguir las pasiones y marcar la diferencia en las vidas de los demás.
Dr. Fabricio Alarcon is the Medical Director of La Red Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center awarded as a level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home with several locations in Kent and Sussex Counties that provides access to the full range of primary care, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, prenatal care, and dental services to uninsured and under-insured patients. His work at La Red demonstrates Dr. Alarcon’s dedication to addressing serious problems that affect Delaware’s uninsured and underinsured community.
A native of Peru, Dr. Alarcon completed his medical school at Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University while graduating in the top 10% of his class. He moved to the United States in 1994. He completed his Internal Medicine/Primary Care Residency training at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1998, where he received the award of “Best Senior Resident of the Year” in 1997.
Spanish: El Dr. Fabricio Alarcón es el Director Médico de La Red Health Center, Centro de Salud Calificado a Nivel Federal que ha sido reconocido como un Centro Médico de Atención al Paciente de Nivel 3 con varias sedes en los condados de Kent y Sussex. Este centro brinda acceso a una amplia gama de servicios de atención primaria, salud mental, tratamiento de abuso de sustancias, atención prenatal y servicios dentales a pacientes sin seguro y con seguro insuficiente. Su trabajo en La Red demuestra la dedicación del Dr. Alarcón para abordar problemas serios que afectan a la comunidad de Delaware que no tiene seguro o tiene seguro insuficiente.
Nativo de Perú, el Dr. Alarcón completó sus estudios de medicina en la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, graduándose en el top 10% de su clase. Se mudó a Estados Unidos en 1994. Completó su residencia en Medicina Interna y Atención Primaria en The Cleveland Clinic Foundation en Cleveland, Ohio, en 1998, donde recibió el premio de “Mejor Residente Senior del Año” en 1997.
The Honorable Vivian L. Medinilla received her appointment to the Superior Court of the State of Delaware by former Governor Jack A. Markell and began serving on February 5, 2013.
Judge Medinilla received her J.D., cum laude, from the Widener University Delaware Law School and her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Delaware.
Before her judicial appointment, she served as Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families, where she led the State agency in efforts to improve the child welfare, juvenile justice, and child mental health systems. Before her Cabinet appointment, she was president and owner of the state’s first multi-lingual law firm. Before her practice, she was an associate at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, where she practiced civil litigation.
She currently sits on the Board of Trustees for Ursuline Academy and the Community Board for St. Francis Healthcare.
Nationally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ), is District Director for Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Virgin Islands, and is their representative to the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association (ABA). She also serves as Chair of the Diversity Committee for the National Conference of State Trial Judges of the Judicial Division for the ABA.
She was inducted into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame in 2012. She received the Distinguished Hispanic Delawarean Award in 2010, the Strong, Smart & Bold Award from Girls, Inc. in 2012, and the Haskell/Wyeth Award from Delaware Futures in 2009. In 2014, she received the Angela Boyle ’53 Service Award from her alma mater, Ursuline Academy, and was appointed by former Governor Markell as the first chair of the Delaware Hispanic Commission.
Judge Medinilla’s term ends on February 5, 2025.
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