[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E979-E980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING DIANA MENDEZ FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2022

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Dr. Diana Mendez was born and raised by her 
Peruvian

[[Page E980]]

family in Lima before moving to Orlando, Florida when she was 14 years 
old.
  After high school, Dr. Mendez earned a bachelor's degree with honors 
in psychology from the University of Central Florida. She then earned 
her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy 
and completed a clinical health psychology post-doctoral fellowship at 
the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Psychiatry, and 
Behavioral Sciences.
  Dr. Mendez is board certified in behavioral and cognitive psychology 
and began working at the Orlando VA healthcare system in 2014. As a 
result of her outstanding clinical skills and natural leadership 
abilities, she now oversees the clinical care, staff, and operations of 
mental health services across four of the Orlando VA's community-based 
outpatient clinics.
  Every aspect of Dr. Mendez's career reflects a dedication to 
advocacy, equity, and service to others. Her research focuses on 
decreasing health disparities by improving social determinants of 
health for at-risk and underrepresented communities. She works 
tirelessly to improve access to mental health care for veterans from 
historically marginalized communities, which is reflected in her 
clinics' operations, as well as in the evidence-based, culturally 
sensitive approach she takes within her clinical work.
  As a VA national consultant for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. 
Mendez's leadership and expertise has been a driving force behind many 
DEI-related initiatives at the Orlando VA and throughout VA's across 
the country.

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