News Summary

FAIRFIELD — When a Procter & Gamble executive spoke Friday, Nov. 7, at a conference for health care professionals and social workers about Hispanics, the Puerto Rico native had the crowd in

stitches.

Miguel Alemany joked about cultural differences, his thick accent and struggle with pronouncing the words sheet and beach without sounding like he's using profanity.

But with the colorful jokes aside, Alemany educated the crowd of nearly 100 at the Fairfield Community Arts Center about the rich history of Hispanics, the economic impact they have on the nation, and the need to better understand their culture.

"Information demystifies this group,'' Alemany said. "There's a lot of hysteria around about immigration. ... Having this discussion demystifies this group and makes people realize that they are no different than anyone else.''

Alemany was the keynote speaker at the conference sponsored by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, which recently opened its Liberty Twp. campus.

During the four-hour conference, social workers and health care providers learned basic Spanish, immigrant rights, cultural values and barriers.

Penny Monday, Children's human resources coordinator, said the conference was needed to help social workers and medical center staff better serve Hispanics in the community.

"If you can better understand a person, if you can communicate with the person you're trying to help, and if you can connect with the mind, you can heal the body," Monday said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or tlatta@coxohio.com.