In 2024, UHF saluted Denise Núñez, MD, for her commitment to the needs of the Latino population in the Bronx, with a special focus on children’s health and welfare.
About 18 percent of New York City residents (1.6 million adults) don’t speak English proficiently, but only 3 percent of those who need literacy help are receiving it, according to nonprofit Literacy Partners. The consequences can be far-reaching and long-lasting, jeopardizing the well-being of both parents and children.
Born in New York City and raised in the Dominican Republic, Denise Núñez, MD, embodies the spirit of service and resilience instilled by her family, which spans three generations in New York City. Her dedication to the health and welfare of the Latino community has been a driving force throughout her life and career. As a pediatric intensivist at Montefiore Medical Center and founder of multiple health care clinics in the Bronx, Denise has been a tireless advocate for her patients, many of whom are part of underserved, Spanish-speaking populations.
Denise’s journey to becoming a health care leader began during her fellowship at Montefiore Children’s Hospital, where she noticed that language barriers were causing Spanish-speaking parents to struggle when communicating with English-speaking doctors. In response, she initiated interdisciplinary hospital rounds that included interpreters, social workers, and nurses in the hospital room, providing much-needed support for these families.
Denise’s commitment to health equity also extended beyond the hospital walls. Seeing the need for accessible, culturally sensitive health care, she founded three clinics in the Bronx, starting with a pediatric health center in a vacant pizza shop strategically located in an area with the highest Latino population but the fewest health care providers. Today, these clinics serve thousands of children and families, employing more than 20 staff members and offering comprehensive care.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Denise’s leadership shone through as she tackled the surge of misinformation in her community. Using social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, Denise created videos from her basement to inform the Latino community about the virus, testing, and vaccines, amassing thousands of views and becoming a trusted voice in public health.
Her passion for health equity goes hand-in-hand with her desire to empower the Latino community.
“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.
