Research with and for the Community: HACER in MN

HACER was born in 1988, with the idea of becoming a generator of information to better inform actions and programs in response to the needs that Latino communities (and more) in Minnesota would have. From the beginning, HACER engaged in identifying what different communities considered most important to resolve, with health care emerging as a priority to work on, in so many fronts. Because of that, Public Health has been a constant in HACER’s work, generating work with agencies and organizations that offer health care services and research, including education institutions, state agencies, and other varied nonprofits and community based organizations. This presentation will highlight HACER’s work in the Public Health arena in Minnesota.

Presenter:

Rodolfo Gutierrez is the Executive Director of HACER, where he has led research and advocacy efforts since 2007. With a robust background in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, Rodolfo brings over two decades of experience in evaluation, community engagement, and policy-relevant research. His work is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, particularly in shaping a Minnesota where disparities rooted in ethnicity or culture are no longer tolerated.

Originally from Mexico, Rodolfo’s binational research experience has been instrumental in building trust and collaboration across diverse communities—not only Latino, but also immigrant and underserved populations statewide. He studied for a PhD and BA in History, along with an MS in Demography, and has conducted extensive research on demographic change, immigration, education, healthcare access, and cultural integration.

Rodolfo currently serves on the Governor’s Committee on the Safety, Health, and Wellbeing of Agricultural and Food Processing Workers (AWWC), and was appointed in 2023 by the Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner to co-chair the HEAL Committee. MPHA recently welcomed Rodolfo as the new co-chair of the Health Equity Committee. He also lends his expertise to other organizations as a board member, advancing collective efforts to promote health equity and community empowerment.

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MPHA Health Equity Committee meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Currently all meetings are virtual. Meetings are open to MPHA members and non-members who want to learn more and take action on advancing health equity in Minnesota. 

For more information about the Health Equity Committee,  please email healthequity@mpha.net and we will get back to you! The committee is co-chaired by Madison Anderson, Erica Fishman, and Sara Rogers.