Join us as we Celebrate our Distinguished Honorees at the Latino Commission on AIDS 35th Anniversary Gala. 

Friday, June 6, 2025 at Cipriani Wall Street NYC

Esperanza Award

Laura Cheever, MD, ScM

Associate Administrator of the HIV/AIDS Bureau Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

A champion for increasing treatment access and equity for populations most affected by HIV and AIDS, Dr. Cheever has spent her career on the frontlines of medical care, research, and the federal administration of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program with the goal of ending the HIV epidemic.

Dennis deLeon

Voz de Compromiso Award

Francisco Ruiz, MS

Director, White House Office of National AIDS Policy

We honor Mr. Ruiz’s commitment to improving public health over the course of his career and his work as the first Latino Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP). In this pivotal role, Francisco leads efforts to implement the nation's strategy to address HIV, working closely with partners to coordinate a comprehensive response to the HIV epidemic.

Business Leadership Award

Michael J. Dowling

President & CEO, Northwell Health

With a distinguished career spanning healthcare, government, and academia, Michael Dowling, is widely recognized as a compassionate, visionary, and transformative healthcare executive. As the leader of the largest health care provider and private employer in New York state, he has driven innovation and positive change, shaping the future of patient-centered healthcare delivery.

Compañero Award

Hispanic Federation

We honor the Hispanic Federation for being a champion and advocate in the Latino nonprofit landscape, continually partnering with and strengthening Latino focused institutions that are working to better shape education, health, immigration, and other imminent spaces that impact the Latino community.