The Memory and Aging Program (MAP) at Butler Hospital is proud to announce our longstanding community partner, Progreso Latino, has been recognized with the prestigious Citizen Scientist Cultivator Award by the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation (GAP). This award, announced on February 28, 2025, celebrates Progreso Latino's exceptional commitment to engaging, educating, and empowering the Latino community about Alzheimer's disease research.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Collaboration
The collaboration between Progreso Latino and MAP began several years ago and has since blossomed into a powerful partnership that has significantly expanded access to Alzheimer's research and education in Rhode Island’s Latino community.
Led by Dilenia Cruz, the community wellness specialist at Progreso Latino, the organization has been instrumental in creating culturally appropriate spaces for discussions about brain health. Through a diversity grant from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI-3), MAP and Progreso Latino established the innovative "Brain Health Room" at Progreso Latino's facility. This dedicated space allows seniors from the community to learn about the 8 Pillars of Brain Health and engage in meaningful conversations about memory concerns in a comfortable, familiar environment.
Breaking Down Barriers to Research
The importance of this partnership cannot be overstated. Hispanic individuals are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease compared to non-Hispanic whites, yet they remain underrepresented in clinical research. Through their ongoing collaboration with MAP, Progreso Latino has helped address this disparity by:
- Facilitating one-on-one discussions about memory and health concerns.
- Hosting educational presentations in Spanish.
- Creating a welcoming environment for community members to learn about research opportunities.
- Helping to bridge cultural and language barriers that often prevent participation in clinical trials.
Recognition Well Deserved
"Dilenia Cruz and the team at Progreso Latino have been nothing but eager and welcoming to the research community," noted John Dwyer, President of the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation. "Their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community are of immeasurable importance."
Dr. Ted Huey, Director of the Memory and Aging Program at Butler Hospital, added, "This recognition highlights the critical importance of community partnerships in advancing Alzheimer's research. Progreso Latino's dedication to expanding access to education and research opportunities has been transformative for our outreach efforts."
Looking Forward
The partnership between MAP and Progreso Latino exemplifies the power of community-based approaches to diversifying research participation. As we continue to expand our Spanish-language capabilities and culturally tailored outreach strategies, we remain committed to ensuring that all communities have equitable access to cutting-edge Alzheimer's research and resources.
We congratulate Progreso Latino on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to our continued collaboration in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
