[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   HONORING DR. NATALIA GIRALDO-SANTIAGO, 2025 NATIONAL TRIO ACHIEVER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. PABLO JOSE HERNANDEZ

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2026

  Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Natalia 
Giraldo-Santiago, an extraordinary Puerto Rican scholar and clinician 
whose journey exemplifies the transformative power of the federal TRIO 
programs.
  Dr. Giraldo-Santiago is a proud alumna of the TRIO Upward Bound 
program at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. With the support 
and mentorship she received through TRIO, she overcame early academic 
and personal challenges to pursue a career defined by excellence in 
research, clinical care, and teaching. Today, she serves as an 
instructor at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General 
Hospital, as well as a research fellow at the Massachusetts Center for 
Alzheimer and Dementia Behavioral Research in Minority Aging.
  Her groundbreaking work in health equity, mental health, and chronic 
pain management for underserved Latino and Spanish-speaking populations 
has earned support from the National Institutes of Health and 
recognition from her peers, including the 2024 Diversity Award from the 
Society of Behavioral Medicine.
  On September 9, 2025, the Council for Opportunity in Education 
honored Dr. Giraldo-Santiago at their Educational Opportunity Dinner as 
one of the 2025 National TRIO Achievers. The 2025 National TRIO 
Achievers remind us why TRIO programs are not just necessary but 
transformational. These exemplary leaders embody resilience, purpose, 
and commitment to giving back. They represent what is possible when we 
give students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds a real 
opportunity to thrive.
  As the Congressional Representative of Puerto Rico and a member of 
the TRIO Caucus, I am proud to celebrate Dr. Giraldo-Santiago's 
accomplishments and reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that these life-
changing programs remain a strong federal priority.

                          ____________________