Rafael Ortega Received 2017 Giving Back Award

Associate Dean for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Rafael Ortega, MD, was recently recognized with 2017 Giving Back Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

The 39 Giving Back Award recipients were nominated by their colleagues and selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on their outstanding demonstration of social responsibility; involvement with students, faculty, staff, and the community; and commitment to serving underrepresented populations. Each honoree is recognized for his or her passion, dedication, and support for diversity and inclusion.

“Dr. Ortega is entirely committed to diversity and inclusion, and has established a friendly and all-encompassing environment on campus by coordinating a variety of activities to recognize and celebrate the heterogeneity of our faculty, staff and students,” explained Vafa Akhtar-Khavari, Ed.M, instructor of anesthesiology at BUSM who nominated Ortega for the award.

The Giving Back Award honors college and university administrators who go above and beyond their everyday leadership duties and “give back” to their campuses and communities. Ortega is also a professor and Vice Chairman of Academic Affairs in the department of anesthesiology at BUSM and an anesthesiologist at BMC.