The epidemiologist led the investigation of COVID-19 cases throughout the island, demonstrating her experience in infectious diseases and molecular epidemiology.
By: Maria Camila Sanchez
March 08, 2024
For years, the social work of pioneering women who have fought for equal rights in the social, cultural or labor sphere, making their way in an environment largely dominated by men, has been praised.
Thanks to this, historically we can highlight the work of tireless women who have sought social well-being, and the field of medicine and health is no exception.
As part of the commemoration of the day of women and the special made by the Revista Medicina y Public health we spoke with Dr. Fabiola Cruz López, epidemiologist and doctor in medical microbiology, who has stood out for her tireless work in favor of public health from Puerto Rico.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that she has recently become a mother, which has allowed her to broaden her vision of what it means to be women and the place they occupy in the world.
“Being a mother gives me a perspective of the strength that women”, he expressed. “We have an irreplaceable place in the world, and apart from giving life, we are in all fields giving strength and changing the direction in which we are heading.”
See the full program here.
Importance of the presence of women in epidemiology
The specialist mentions that she feels lucky to belong to her generation, and to be able to work hand in hand with other women, such as Dr. Iris Cardona or Dr. Melissa Marzán, who have stood out for being leaders who have spearheaded initiatives of great impact during and after a season of crisis, such as the pandemic or past natural disasters.
Even so, he recognizes that there is still a need to continue working. “Despite all the path we have taken, it is definitely important to continue the fight because it is not just equality, but equity,” she asserted.
Pioneer in epidemiological research during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the rise of the coronavirus in 2020, Dr. Cruz López led an important work of education and awareness regarding the situation, not only in the municipality where she is from, but worldwide regarding everything that the arrival of the coronavirus meant pandemic.
He points out that he felt very desperate to educate people, and thanks to his mother’s advice, he was able to start this work in his community.
“To a certain point I felt that my voice was not being heard. And it is my mother who tells me to start small in order to impact many lives, and I never had the vision at the beginning that we were going to reach so much at the level of the country, to the fact that the system is already in scientific literature worldwide.
New perspectives for a young woman in a global crisis
And it is no secret to anyone that there are stigmas around the role of women in positions of power, and even more so when they are young women. Still, Dr. Cruz managed to overcome all these social constructs, and change public policy.
“When you have knowledge and you do something that you love, that you like and you feel it, you feel completely powerful,” she acknowledged. “I felt heard, because I had many voices that were following me.”