Julissa Soto Delivers Powerful Cultural Validation Training to ColoVax Staff

Julissa Soto Delivers Powerful Cultural Validation Training to ColoVax Staff

Julissa Soto, renowned public health advocate and speaker, recently conducted an impactful Cultural Validation Training for the staff of ColoVax, a company responsible for overseeing the logistics of mobile vaccination clinics. The training focused on enhancing staff members' ability to authentically engage with diverse communities, a key component in improving health outcomes and reaching marginalized populations.

Julissa’s Cultural Validation Training goes beyond the standard diversity and inclusion sessions, emphasizing the need to establish genuine, human-centered connections with communities. As she explained during the training, “Cultural Validation is about creating genuine relationships with communities and meeting them where they are. It’s about connecting with people authentically and speaking in languages they use, understand, and can relate to.”

This approach resonated deeply with the ColoVax staff, sparking powerful reflections and personal growth among participants. One participant, Marie Samson, Director of Administrative Operations, shared her “aha” moment:

"My Aha! moment from today is how you started today's training by opening up with us and having us open up to you. I was able to learn something new about my colleagues while breaking down the hierarchy as we're all human wanting to serve our community."

The training created a safe space for participants to reflect on their personal motivations and the communities they serve. Gysel Zangano Alvillar, a registered nurse, reflected:

"Being able to share who we really are in a safe space was both amazing and challenging. I thought back to why I am doing the things that I am doing, which is my family and my community. Thank you for reminding me of what it is that I want to do with my life."

Julissa’s personal story of overcoming barriers as an immigrant and her tireless work for health equity served as a source of inspiration. Shalom Mathurin, Director of Testing, connected with her story on a personal level:

"Honestly, my 'aha' moment was hearing all that you have overcome and witnessing the passion that drives you forward. Hearing your story made me so proud of my mother and ignited a fire in me to keep pushing the mission of equity forward."

Cultural Validation also includes understanding the critical difference between translation and “transcreation,” a concept that sparked a key realization for Kelly Morales, Clinical Director for ColoVax:

"My a-ha moment today was the transcreation vs. translation. Many times, I have reworded translated information to make it more understandable to the patients. I will continue to use this and increase my use of transcreation instead of expecting translation to be enough."

The training also touched on the importance of meeting people where they are—linguistically, culturally, and emotionally. As Ruby, another RN, stated:

"We can’t be competent in someone’s culture, but we can be willing to learn and accept their values and beliefs as long as we have an open mind. We also have to learn to meet people where they are and be flexible enough to accommodate language barriers, health literacy, and any other challenges the community might be facing."

Julissa Soto’s Cultural Validation Training reinforced that meaningful, inclusive outreach is not just about checking boxes but building trust, honoring stories, and working hand-in-hand with communities. Her approach continues to empower healthcare professionals to think beyond the clinical setting and see themselves as integral parts of the communities they serve.

As Jen, an RN who participated in the training, shared:

"Appreciating how important it is to meet people where they are and building trust by being part of the communities we serve was my biggest takeaway. I would love to volunteer with you at one of the church events!"

With Julissa’s guidance, ColoVax staff left with renewed perspectives on equity and inclusion. They now carry forward the tools needed to build stronger, more compassionate connections with the communities they serve, ensuring everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

In Julissa’s own words, “Cultural Validation is not about being perfect in our understanding of every community but about being present, empathetic, and willing to learn. It’s about humanizing healthcare and fostering trust.”

Julissa’s tireless dedication to equity, her powerful personal story, and her hands-on approach have touched yet another group of healthcare professionals, leaving a lasting impact. As Joanna Castro, another participant, summed up:

"I always like your speech. There's always something new to learn with you. It not only educates me for clinics but also for personal confidence. One day I will have that confidence in myself."

With more health professionals like those at ColoVax equipped with Julissa's Cultural Validation strategies, the future of health equity looks brighter.

About ColoVax

ColoVax is committed to delivering flexible, equitable mobile vaccine clinics at no cost to the patient. Their adaptable clinics are tailored to meet the unique needs of each local community they serve. With experienced public health professionals at the helm, ColoVax ensures that their mobile clinics provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone, prioritizing both health and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds.