Mental health professional Dr. Deborah Villanueva has been named the 2025 RISE Health Care Hero, recognizing her extensive contributions to improving mental health services for marginalized populations. Selected from over 60 nominations, Dr. Villanueva's work spans more than two decades of dedicated service addressing complex mental health challenges among underserved communities.
The award, presented at The RISE Summit on Social Determinants of Health, highlights Dr. Villanueva's innovative approach to mental health care. Her clinical practice focuses on supporting survivors of trafficking, developing specialized interventions that consider unique cultural, developmental, and emotional needs of vulnerable populations.
Dr. Villanueva's approach extends beyond individual treatment, encompassing systemic transformation in mental health service delivery. Her initiatives have been particularly impactful in training mental health professionals and community leaders to provide trauma-informed, culturally competent care. By addressing critical barriers such as cultural differences, language challenges, and mental health stigma, she has significantly improved health outcomes for Latino, Hispanic, and immigrant communities.
Angela Trenado, who nominated Dr. Villanueva, emphasized her ability to create equitable, accessible healthcare solutions that transcend traditional clinical boundaries. Trenado noted that Dr. Villanueva's work challenges existing care systems and inspires meaningful change in how underserved populations experience mental health support.
The RISE Health Care Hero Award recognizes individuals making substantial contributions to health equity, and Dr. Villanueva's selection underscores the critical importance of culturally sensitive, trauma-informed mental health interventions. Her work represents a significant step toward addressing systemic inequities in healthcare, offering a model for comprehensive, compassionate service delivery.
