Mari Tototzintle Avaloz

Mari Avaloz wants to ensure Latine communities have access to the culturally specific support they need to navigate complex health care systems when dealing with cancer. Her experience as a primary caregiver to her sister, Maria, who died in 2019 from a rare form of ovarian cancer, exposed her to the challenges her own family faced, and even greater challenges experienced by other Latine families to receiving quality care when there are barriers like language, documentation and familiarity with navigating systems. With her Bush Fellowship, she plans to enroll in an intensive Spanish immersion program, obtain a graduate social work license, learn from other healthcare leaders in the Latine and cancer community and complete courses to expand her leadership in the healthcare field. Her hope is to honor her sister’s legacy by helping more Latine families overcome the challenges of a cancer diagnosis and care process.

What has informed your approach to leading change in your community?  

My mother had a huge influence on my desire to do something to create change and make a difference. She was very involved in the community, and I was often surrounded by a lot of strong women of color. I saw the work they were doing, especially in the Latine community, and I wanted to be like that too.  

How do you measure success? 

I have always felt the most successful watching other people who I might have influenced or impacted find their own success. To see people that I have worked closely with stepping up and impacting the community or impacting the workforce, makes me feel very successful.  

What is your favorite quote or expression?  

My favorite expression is, “smile, you woke up today!” I always think about this when I’m having a bad day. I think of my sister and how lucky I am to be able to take advantage of every opportunity. I am lucky that I got to wake up and experience life. It just makes me want to put any negative attitude away.