In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Corcept is shining a light on a true trailblazer in public health: Henrietta Villaescusa (1920-2005). A registered nurse (RN) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), Nurse Villaescusa dedicated her life to championing health equity and access, particularly for Hispanic communities, leaving an indelible mark on healthcare policy and practice.
Born in Tucson, Arizona, on November 23, 1920, Henrietta Villaescusa’s early education and nursing career in California profoundly shaped her understanding of healthcare disparities. As the sole Hispanic supervising public health nurse for the Los Angeles City Health Department, she witnessed firsthand the significant inequities impacting Hispanic Americans, igniting her passion for advocacy and driving her to champion changes in public health policy and increases in funding for Hispanic health programs.
Villaescusa quickly recognized the critical need for healthcare to be more accessible at the community level. She became a vocal proponent for the establishment of local clinics in both rural and urban settings, as well as vital maternal and child health centers. Her foresight in this area laid the groundwork for models of care that are still utilized today.
Beyond direct patient care, Villaescusa identified another pressing issue: the underrepresentation of Hispanic individuals in nursing and the limited voice of Hispanic nurses within the healthcare industry. To address this, she co-founded the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), creating a platform for Hispanic nurses to connect, share experiences and collectively advocate for their profession. This initiative was a testament to her belief in the power of community and collective action.
Her advocacy extended far beyond healthcare. Villaescusa became a prominent leader in the Community Service Organization (CSO), tirelessly working to promote the civil rights and representation of Hispanics in California. Her influence grew, leading her to hold positions in influential organizations, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, the Mexican American Women’s Association (MANA), the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the Board of Nurse Examiners, where she was the only Hispanic member in California.
Villaescusa’s dedication to health equity also led her to serve in multiple roles within the federal government. Her expertise was sought by agencies such as the Agency for International Development (AID) and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (DEHW). Within the Bureau of Community Health Services, she made history as the first Federal Women’s Program Manager. She also contributed to the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health and the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). Her work even reached an international scale through the Kennedy Administration’s Alliance for Progress, where she lent her knowledge to improve health outcomes in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Panama.
A cornerstone of Villaescusa’s work was her insistence on the importance of collecting data relevant to Hispanic Americans. She understood that accurate data was essential for effectively managing healthcare equity and accessibility, and for encouraging more Hispanic Americans to pursue healthcare professions.
Amid her extensive professional achievements, Ms. Villaescusa remained deeply connected to her culture and family. Affectionately known as “Aunt Henny” and revered as a matriarch by her family — a vibrant group spanning three generations and nearly 50 people — her life was a testament to the power of family and community. This devotion extended from her home in Arcadia, California, to the broader Hispanic communities she served.
Henrietta Villaescusa’s legacy of advocacy and her unwavering pursuit of equity stand as a powerful example of excellence by a Hispanic American woman. Her pioneering efforts paved the way for countless Hispanic patients, caretakers, advocates and providers of today, illuminating a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Sources:
Henrieta Villaescusa, MPH, RN. National Academy of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). 2023. Accessed August 25, 2025. http://104.248.232.79/about/bios/Henrieta-Villaescusa
Henrietta Villaescusa Obituary. San Gabriel Valley Tribune. March 9, 2005. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://www.sgvtribune.com/obituaries/henrietta-villaescusa-ca/
The Untold Story of Henrietta Villaescusa: A Hispanic Nurse Trailblazer Advancing Health Equity. University of Pennsylvania – Penn Nursing. September 20, 2024. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/live/news/2695-the-untold-story-of-henrietta-villaescusa-a-hispanic-nu
Villarruel AM, Fairman JA. The power of Hispanic nurses in advancing health equity: The career of Henrietta Villaescusa. Nursing Outlook. 2024;72(5):102262. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102262
