Dr. Rubens J. Pamies – A Healthcare Equity Trailblazer
Apr 2024
Article By: Alessio Barca
“We will take with us all that [Dr. Pamies] has taught us and all that he has inspired in us, continuing his tireless effort to realize health equity in this world.”
– David Satcher, MD, PhD, Former United States Surgeon General
Rubens J. Pamies, MD, was born in Haiti and immigrated to Queens, New York, at the age of six. He obtained his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine in 1986. He then finished a primary care residency at the Cornell-North Shore University Hospital.
Dr. Pamies’ career as a physician was marked by a series of significant roles, each contributing to his overarching mission of advancing health equity. As an editorial board member of the Journal of the National Medical Association (JNMA), a faculty member in the University of South Florida Department of Family Medicine, and the vice chancellor of academic affairs and dean for graduate studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), he left an indelible mark on the field of healthcare.
One of Dr. Pamies’ most notable achievements was his collaboration with Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General. Together, they authored the groundbreaking work, ‘Multicultural Medicine and Health Disparities,’ a pioneering study that proposed a holistic strategy for addressing health disparities. This collaboration stands as a testament to Dr. Pamies’ commitment to advancing health equity.
“Dr. Pamies was a great mentor and role model who encouraged and met individually with each one of us throughout the program. He listened to our stories, encouraged us, and reminded us that we could do this. This was very meaningful because there are many students like me who might have been the first ones in their families to attend college and struggle with imposter syndrome or doubt that we are good enough to pursue a healthcare career. During that summer while in SHPEP, I learned about public health and health disparities, which helped me realize my love for prevention and community work.”
-Jazmin Villavicencio, MPH
While providing humanitarian aid in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, following the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in 2010, Dr. Pamies tragically passed away from a heart attack, leaving behind an enduring legacy of healthcare equity.
“He had so much more to contribute to health care and the greater community world… Rubens was a nationally renowned academic educator. He was an expert on health disparities. He was there to help rescue Haiti from the devastation of the 2010 earthquake. He led the volunteer effort for UNMC and subsequently published a gut-wrenching book (Help and Hope for Haiti) on this tragedy.”
-Harold M. Maurer, MD, UNMC Chancellor
The Rubens J. Pamies, MD, Opportunity Fund, founded in 2010 by the SHPEP National Alumni Advisory Board, seeks to recognize SHPEP alumni dedicated to upholding Dr. Pamies’ legacy in advancing healthcare equity. The scholarship awards $500 to four recipients each year, with the aim of minimizing the financial barriers present in pursuing a career in healthcare. Applications for the scholarship are open this year through May 1st, 2024. Click here to apply.
Lastly, all interested scholarship applicants are welcomed and encouraged to join the SHPEP National Alumni Advisory Board for the SHPEP Alumni Virtual Roundtable: Rubens J. Pamies, MD, Scholarship Workshop on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 6-7 pm ET. Register here for the event, which will be held on Zoom. Join us in gaining advice on preparing a successful scholarship application, and bring any questions you may have.