Joseph R Betancourt

What unique skills and/or talents do you bring to your job?
I am committed to improving care to diverse populations, addressing disparities and achieving equity. My passion drives my ability to communicate effectively about the importance of these issues locally, nationally, and internationally. Being raised in a bilingual, bicultural home of Puerto Rican heritage, this is personal to me. Over the years! have honed my skills at communicating complex concepts to leaders - getting them to understand why equity in healthcare is important, and what they can do about it, in practical, thoughtful, realistic, actionable ways. This is the unique talent I bring to my work every day, no matter where l am.
Changing hearts, minds and systems is what I try to do and what drives me.

What is the significance of the object you brought with you to the photo shoot?
What you see are photos of my grandparents Ana and Jose; my parents Luz and Joe, along with grandmother Lulu, and my sister Jennifer; and my children Anna and Joey. In my hands I am holding the most important people in my life across three generations. My grandparents, immigrants from Puerto Rico to New York City in the late 1950's, set the path for our family. making incredible sacrifices to give my parents a better life. My parents then followed suit, sacrificing to give my sister and me new opportunities to educate ourselves and develop as professionals.

I live every day knowing that if they didn't do the things they did, big and small, I wouldn't be where I am today. I also live my life humbled by this, honoring them, striving to give people just like them voice. I hope my sacrifices can provide similar opportunities for my children, and they will appreciate me as well. They are now my guiding light. A family story across generations that is still being written...