Making Changes to Improve Diabetes Today!

Please join us on Wednesday, November 20th from 6:00- 7:00 PM.

This free virtual event is hosted by Médico A Domicilio (HouseCalls) and is a conversation between Dr. Walter Acuña (Internal Medicine Physician), Dr. Michal Mingura (Clinical Pharmacist), Ana Perez (Registered Nurse), and you - the Latino community. In our discussion, we will aim to provide education about diabetes management in the Latino community and what resources are available at Kaiser Permanente.

This is a FREE, virtual interactive event. We have invited our Latino Kaiser members, their families and the community to listen and participate in the conversation. All are welcome. You do not need to be a Kaiser Permanente Member to attend!

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HouseCalls is a virtual communication tool created to S.E.E.E. our African American and Latino members to make healthy lifestyle choices and prevent chronic disease.

It is to:

Support our African American and Latino members to take control of their preventive care and chronic conditions​

Explore ​and identify opportunities to improve care​

Encourage dialogue and partnership between members and medical specialists​

Educate ​on how to care for chronic conditions at home​

Speaker and Moderator Information

Dr. Walter Acuña lived the first nine years of his life in Mexico. He then moved to San Diego to attend the University of California at San Diego, where he studied Chemistry and Biochemistry. He worked in the educational and high-tech fields before moving to Los Angeles for medical school and then to San Francisco for his residency. He was attracted to Kaiser Permanente not only because of its diverse patient population, innovation in healthcare, and its commitment as an organization providing high-quality healthcare; but, above all, because it supports doctors to provide quality care. Their goal is to keep people healthy and focus on prevention.


Click here to learn more about Dr. Walter Acuña

Dr. Michal Mingura found her way to pharmacy after careers as a stage manager for ballet companies including a brief stint with Oakland Ballet, as an auction manager, and as a veterinary technician. After developing allergies to her patients, she decided that being a pharmacist would still provide her with the opportunities to explore science, education and healthcare and she went on to earn her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Southern California.

While in school she volunteered as a translator and intern with underserved, primarily Spanish-speaking populations, and continued to work with Latinx patients in Oregon during her residency. After residency she explored her passion for patient care and education as an Assistant Professor at Marshall B. Ketchum College of Pharmacy. After four years of teaching, she returned to Oakland where she enjoys providing direct patient care full-time as a Kaiser Permanente pharmacist.

When not working, she enjoys baking, gardening in the lovely northern California climate, crafting, and spending time with her husband, friends, and two fluffy dogs.

Ana Perez has been living in California for the last 35 years. Born in Barcelona, Spain. She completed her nursing school at the University of Barcelona and has worked as a nurse in 5 different countries speaking 5 different languages. She loves to travel and has visited 50 countries already but still plans to visit more in the next few years. She likes to hike, so she combines travelling with hiking.

Working as a nurse her goal has always been to support and empower her patients with chronic diseases to have the best quality of life possible. Last 25 years of her nursing career has worked with patients with diabetes. She completed a Certification in Advanced Diabetes Management, and as Healthcare Quality Nurse specialist worked closely with Medicare implementing a 3 year successful program to reduce healthcare disparities among Latinos with diabetes in California. She believes each person with the support of their medical team, their family and community can achieve their goal and live a healthy life.