The second annual AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event will serve to highlight and showcase some of the most diverse and impactful young professionals across the Philadelphia region.

At the event, taking place on August 27, 2021, Dr. Jose Ramon Torradas will be one of the 40 honorees. He is a medical doctor with Unidos Contra COVID.

Dr. Torradas is a regular media contributor, and having worked in community and academic practices both large and small across the country, he is in a rare position to provide invaluable insights within the health space. His portfolio includes live national interviews in English and Spanish as well as town hall segments.

He is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and regular bilingual spokesperson and is a regular Op-Ed contributor with Univision producing bi-weekly columns on public health matters. He was named by the ACEP Board of Directors as the 2020 Spokesperson of the Year.

Torradas is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, educator, bilingual media contributor, and spokesperson. He is passionate about medical education for both English and Spanish speaking audiences, and is specially trained in managing life-threatening conditions like cardiac arrests, heart attacks, strokes, gunshot wounds, and motor vehicle accidents.

In collaboration with several EM physicians including Dr. Torradas, ACEP, and The Learning Agency, a free guide toolkit was developed for the general public and geared toward those who have COVID or COVID-like symptoms and are managing their symptoms at home. The toolkit provides information on self-care tips including breathing exercises, red flags for when to seek emergency care, and also has a section for caregivers.

In Philadelphia specifically, Torradas is one of a number of Hispanic doctors part of Unidos Contra COVID, a collective working towards educating the city’s Latino populations about COVID-19 and its vaccines.

Here are Dr. Jose Torradas' responses: 

Choosing to pivot away from the hospital to start Unidos Contra COVID. I had been working non-stop for over a decade in ERs throughout the country, so the opportunity to explore a different avenue presented unique challenges, both in the middle of a pandemic and as a new dad.

We must be unabashedly pro-active in recruiting more Hispanic and Black physicians. Studies have consistently shown that patients have better health outcomes when their doctors and nurses speak their language and understand their culture. It is alarming that despite Black and Hispanic communities making up almost 1 in 3 people in the US, they account for only 1 out of every 10 doctors.

A leader is someone who can rally like-minded people to see an idea through to fruition. They recognize team member’s unique skills and can leverage everyone’s ability to work in concert on any number of projects. Effective leadership calls for intervention in particular moments and knowing when to delegate and trust those around you.   

Continuing to work clinically treating patients and exploring the space where business and health policy intersect. COVID has pulled the curtain back on the terrible disparities that exist in disenfranchised neighborhoods, and there is much work to be done by those who can deliver results.