Entre colegas... Dialogues between Behavioral Health Providers of Latinos
Topic: Prevention, Early Identification, and Integrated Treatment: Addressing Substance Misuse and Addiction in Primary Care
50 spaces available.
Do you provide behavioral health services to Latino populations as part of a community-based organization? Participating in these dialogues allows you to listen, converse, and learn more about effective and culturally informed practices with Latino populations. Along with colleagues and a guest specialist, you will discuss aspects that influence the behavioral health of Latino people as well as service models applicable to their well-being, including:
- Social determinants that affect behavioral health.
- Skills to foster participation, therapeutic relationships, and community outreach.
- Cultural elements that can be integrated into services and treatment plans.
- Clinical presentations and best practices for conceptualizing and guiding services.
- Use of therapeutic approaches that are person-centered and strength-based.
This virtual activity is scheduled for the last week of each month, every other month. It will feature a guest specialist facilitating the discussion on a particular topic of Latino behavioral health.
GUEST SPEAKER:
Hector Colón-Rivera, MD, MBA, MRO
Dr. Héctor Colón-Rivera is a dynamic physician, executive, and quadruple board-certified psychiatrist who brings a powerful combination of clinical expertise, strategic leadership, and entrepreneurial innovation to the fields of behavioral health and digital health. Known for his forward-thinking mindset and commitment to scalable impact, he has built a career at the intersection of medicine, business, and technology, consistently driving performance, transformation, and just access. As Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, Inc. (APM), Dr. Colón-Rivera oversees a multi-service behavioral health program serving vulnerable populations across Philadelphia. Under his leadership, APM integrates community mental health and substance use disorder services with the organization’s broader efforts in education, foster care, housing, and economic development, amplifying both clinical and social impact.
Dr. Colón-Rivera effectively bridges clinical care, education, and business strategy through his skills in navigating complex systems, building cross-sector partnerships, and leading with empathy. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of OKHealth.ai, an AI-powered digital health platform. He serves as an attending physician at UPMC, leveraging telehealth technologies to extend access to care statewide. He also co-founded CrearConSalud.org, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing mental health education, public awareness, and systemic advocacy. A trusted advisor at the policy level, Dr. Colón-Rivera has served for more than six years on the Advisory on Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee under Pennsylvania governors, while also serving as an Advisor to Puerto Rico’s Opioid Response Team.
His leadership within the American Psychiatric Association includes serving as a long-standing member of the Assembly and the Council on Communications, as well as president of the Hispanic Caucus, where he championed the representation of Underrepresented voices and helped shape national discourse to include all in mental health access. A globally engaged thought leader and bilingual presenter (Spanish and English), Dr. Colón-Rivera has delivered more than 200 keynotes, workshops, webinars, and trainings on topics including behavioral health innovation, addiction psychiatry, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, systems change, and the integration of emerging technologies in psychiatry.