Dr. Maria Adelita Reyes-Velarde actively collaborates with the National MS Society as
independent contractor for special outreach projects while working on her doctorate degree on
Education, specializing on Online Education and Teaching for special populations. She holds a
medical degree from Ecuador and a master in Public Health - Administrative Medicine Management
from George Washington University, DC.
Until June 2009, She worked at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA) as Director of
Multicultural and Clinical Initiatives in the Department of Research and Clinical Program. There she
had the opportunity to influence the Society outreach efforts by:
- developing and editing eighteen national Spanish client publications and four new Spanish web
cast, making sure they reflected the corresponding English publications or information
available and were culturally appropriate;
- developing the Spanish glossary web pages, editing the English Spanish MS terms and
definitions, and establishing best practises for the delivery of culturally and linguistically
appropriate programs and services including developing tools like “Best practises on
translations” and “On Spanish language, usage and style”, providing a uniform way to convey
complex information to clients with diverse levels of understanding;
- initiating and rolling out the National MS Society Spanish information web pages;
- authoring first web based MS information kit in Spanish “Tome control de su esclerosis
múltiple”, and the Society flagship Spanish MS book for newly diagnosed “Con los pies en la
Tierra” now on its third edition;
- Staffing volunteer driven national Hispanic and African American advisory councils promoting
collaboration and identifying / developing strategies that address the needs of the
multicultural communities living with MS.
- Leading teams of health care professionals (i.e.social workers, nurses) to promote
collaboration that enhance the National MS Society strategic response and develop
opportunity to showcase the 6 Paediatric MS Centers of Excellence accomplishments;
- Developing and maintaining relationships with national and international Hispanic organizations
for collaboration in outreach efforts; and
- being a spokesperson for the National MS Society.
On 2001 she created the website "Harlem's de Esclerosis Multiple"-Let's talk about MS the first
website to provide practical health information in Spanish and as a means to empower them in the
control of their lives.
On Jan. 2010, looking for an innovative way to improve knowledge on MS, Dr. Reyes-Velarde
launched Dede Mi Balcon (from my balcony), a bilingual blog to address in a unique way everyday
topics and concerns of the Hispanic person living with MS. (Other publications by Dr.Reyes-Velarde)
For motivational or educational talks about MS to the Latin community you can contact Dr. Reyes-
Velarde.
Conferences and training given by Dr. Reyes-Velarde:
- “Increasing Diversity in Hiring and Volunteer Engagement”, Field Ops University, National MS
Society cultural competence staff training, 12/2008
- “Understanding the multicultural communities in your area”, National MS Society national
conference, Chicago, 11/2008
- “Importance of belonging to a support group”, Mexican Federation National Conference,
Guadalajara, Mexico, 10/2008
- “Opening New Horizons – involving multicultural diverse volunteers”, National MS Society
cultural competence staff training, recorded and posted on the Society Learning Management
System for on-going staff training, 05/2008
- “Working with Volunteers in Advisory Councils”, National MS Society national conference,
Dallas,11/2007
- “Living with MS” – motivational speech at the Hispanic Family Living with MS Day, New York
City, 09/2007
- “Engaging communities to reach culturally diverse communities”, National MS Society cultural
competence staff training, 08/2007
- “Reaching Hispanics/Latinos with MS”, National MS Society cultural competence staff training,
08/2006
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