2024 UHF Gala Journal - Flipbook - Page 15
“We all deserve to be healthy,” Denise says. “As physicians and Latinos, we must learn
how to connect with our community. If we don’t understand the culture, we won’t
effectively communicate how they can take care of themselves.”
Denise earned her medical degree and completed her internship in the Dominican
Republic before moving to the U.S. for her residency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital (now
BronxCare Health System). She then completed a fellowship in pediatric intensive care
at Montefiore Medical Center, where she now serves as an Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics. Despite her busy clinical schedule, Denise has consistently expanded her
impact beyond medicine.
In 2016, alongside her daughter, Ana Núñez, who is a psychologist, Denise founded
Niño de la Caridad Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the
lives of predominantly Hispanic youth and families in the Bronx.
The foundation was born out of a tragic experience Denise had with a 15-year-old
patient who succumbed to drug addiction after moving from the Dominican
Republic on a baseball scholarship. This personal encounter motivated Denise to
create programs that support Bronx youth and their families, addressing systemic
challenges like poverty, educational gaps, and mental health.
Niño de la Caridad Foundation has since grown exponentially and offers three
core programs: a parent engagement initiative that helps Latino parents navigate the
college admissions process, an after-school homework club for younger students,
and the Leaders of the Future program for high schoolers, which focuses on college
admissions, leadership development, and mentorship. Notably, between 85 percent
and 100 percent of students in these programs are accepted to college, many with
scholarships.
In response to the growing mental health crisis among adolescents, Niño de la
Caridad Foundation is now launching a mental health initiative that provides
one-on-one and group counseling for high school students. This new initiative
reflects Denise’s unwavering commitment to addressing the broad spectrum of
challenges faced by Bronx families.
Her foundation also supports other community-driven initiatives, including
robotics programs, nutrition and meal assistance, and cultural events.
Since its inception, Niño de la Caridad Foundation has helped more than 10,000
families in the Bronx, embodying Denise’s vision of creating lasting change in her
community. Her work stands as a testament to her lifelong dedication to
advancing health equity, particularly for the Bronx’s Latino and underserved
populations.
For her unwavering commitment to the Latino population in the Bronx, particularly
her support of children’s health and welfare, United Hospital Fund is proud to present
Denise Núñez, MD, with its 2024 Special Tribute.
