Frank Cortez Flores:
CLASS OF 1949
Roosevelt High SchoolClass of 1949
Los angeles, CA
Claremont Graduate UniversityClass of 1993
Claremont, CA
University of Southern California - EducationClass of 1988
Los angeles, CA
University of Southern California - DentistryClass of 1957
Los angeles, CA
University of Southern CaliforniaClass of 1955
Los angeles, CA
Frank's Story
My Life's Blessings
I would like to share with you my blessings of a full and productive life since I left high school. What follows is a very succinct summary of a partial listing of my educational and community involvements:
Academic background: East Los Angeles Community College, AA - University of Southern California: College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, BS; School of Dentistry, DDS; School of Medicine, Post-Doctoral; and School of Education, MS - Claremont Graduate University, Faculty in Education, Graduate Program in Higher Education, MA, PhD - Loma Linda University School of Public Health, MPH - University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, Post-Doctoral.
Additional education: California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, School of Applied Arts and Sciences - Healthcare Administration; Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA - Risk Management - Licensed Insurance Broker; Whittier College School of Law, Los Angeles, CA & Western State University College of Law, Fullerton, CA - Realtor/Licensed Real Estate Broker/Syndication of Properties.
I am on faculty at Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Department of Global Health and the School of Dentistry, Department of Dental Educational Services.
Also, I am an active member of The Supercourse Faculty that is part of Disease Monitoring and Telecommunications, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center, Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh.
The Supercourse is an Internet-based distance learning material for health-related (medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, etc.) students who are beginners in Epidemiology, Global Health and the Internet. The Supercourse Faculty utilizes the Supercourse for training students. We also contribute to the Supercourse as a reviewer, lecture developer, or translator as well advising over the Internet by discussing with interested parties issues related to prevention.
Volunteer public health activities/field research: While on public health assignments in Brazil, South America along the Amazon River; in Honduras, Central America along the Mosquito Coast; in The Highlands of Ethiopia, Africa; in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, South America and the Galapagos Islands of the Pacific Ocean; and in other developing countries, I explored the public health influences as well as the political, economic, cultural, and historical forces that have helped shaped the development of the country.
Volunteered healthcare services as a health care provider at a children clinic in Jerusalem, Israel. I lived in Jerusalem for a period of time as well as at Kibbutz Afikim (a collective farm or settlement) which is located in an upland region northeast of the Sea of Galilee; in Mexico with the Flying Samaritans; as a Pilot/Provider in Mexico with "Liga The Flying Doctors" of Loma Linda University Medical Center and in other countries.
Civic involvements: I was nominated/considered for the Deanship at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1990; I was involved with the political process on a national and statewide basis and my political associations were such that my wife and I were invited by President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife to attend a White House State Dinner held in honor of the Chancellor of Austria; The California Parents/Teachers Association honored me: "PTA Very Special Person Award" and I was honorably discharge from the United States Navy Reserve. Also, I was selected for an appointment as a commissioned officer in the Dental Corps of the United States Naval Reserve.
Moreover, I have been blessed with seven wonderful children, twelve beautiful grandchildren, two lovely Schnauzer pups, Hansel and Gretel, and a peaceful three-story beachfront home along the coast of Mexico where I have retired to continue my research on my family (Cortez/Flores) genealogy and recharge my spiritual life's batteries.
If interested, there is additional background information on "Frank Cortez-Flores" (enter full name with quotation marks) that can be found on most Internet search engines.
Thank you for your time - have a healthy and happy life.
My “Academic Involvement” follows:
UNIVERSITY FACULTY EXPERIENCES (partial listings):
Visiting Fellow: Center for Educational Studies, Claremont Graduate
University. Also served as an external faculty committee member to evaluate PhD Candidate's final oral examination/defense of dissertation in Higher Education
Director, "Project on Advancement Activities in American Schools of Dentistry" Center for Educational Studies, Claremont Graduate University. Principal investigator of study conducted for the American Association of Dental Schools. Designed and directed study on the effect of academic leadership on advancement activities in American schools of dentistry. Authored research report.
Principal investigator for study on the significance of endowment funds for American schools of dentistry. Authored research report.
Vice President/Board of Directors for Project Hospital Ship Oceanic, Inc. A seagoing hospital ship to advance healthcare in developing countries
Assistant to the Dean of Faculty, Harvey Mudd College (The Claremont Colleges)
Site Coordinator for Upward Bound Summer Residential School at the University of California, San Diego Harvey Mudd College (The Claremont Colleges)
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN HEALTH AND AGING: University of California Los Angeles, CA. The California Geriatric Education Center, Interdisciplinary Faculty Development Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology.
INTRODUCING PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES IN AGING INTO THE CURRICULUM: Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse, New York. The Aging Studies Program of the Center for Policy Research. 2002 Summer Workshop "Introducing Public Policy Issues in Aging into the Curriculum"
SUMMER 2002 GERIATRIC INSTITUTE: Challenges of Physical Disability in an Aging Population. New Mexico Geriatric Education Center, Department of Family and Community Medicine. School of Medicine University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM. Co-Sponsors: New Mexico Geriatric Education Center at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and the Indian Health Service Elder Care Initiative.
DISASTERS: NATURAL/MANMADE (BIOTERRORISM): U.S. Army Medical Command "Medical Response to Chemical Warfare and Terrorism 2000" Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, December 2000.
DISASTERS: NATURAL/MANMADE (BIOTERRORISM): Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine (CDHAM). Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland and the sponsorship of the United States Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. "Medical Preparedness and Planning of Man-made Disasters" New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, May 2001
CONSULTANT/PEER REVIEWER SERVICES FOR DHHS/HRSA: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the HRSA Division of Independent Review and the Division of Medicine and Dentistry and U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). The purpose is to assure interested parties that the evaluation and awarding of grant and cooperative agreement applications by the HRSA is competitive, impartial, and fair.
LISTINGS (partial listings):
Who's Who in Medicine and Health Care. First edition (1997); Second edition (1998). New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who's Who Inc.
Who's Who in Education. Fifth edition (1996). New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who's Who Inc.
Who's Who in the West. Twenty-second edition (1990); Twenty third edition (1992); Twenty-fourth edition (1994); Twenty-fifth edition (1996). New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who's Who Inc.
Who's Who in America. Golden Anniversary Fiftieth edition (1996) Fifty-first edition (1997); Fifty-second edition (1998); Fifty-third (1999); Fifty-fourth edition (2000). New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who's Who Inc.
Who's Who in the World. Twelfth edition (1995); Thirteenth edition (1996); Fourteenth edition (1997); Fifteenth edition (1998); Sixteenth edition.
Workplace:
I have worked with former Congressman Edward R. Roybal and his office staff to help reduce disparities in access and health status of the elderly. I was involved with the political process on a national and statewide basis.
Also, I would like to share a memorable occasion with you. In the recent past, I was recognized for my contributions to public health - an excerpt of my public health involvement/work-background that introduced my presence at a meeting of my peers follows:
".... Frank's educational/work/life experiences are too varied and involved to condense, suffice to say that our Lord has blessed him.
Frank has been "retired" for the last 20 years or more. Today, as a volunteer epidemiologist, all his work is in public health, in particular, International Public Health. In the past, he maintained a practice as an oral/maxillofacial surgeon and was a visiting scholar in higher education at a renowned university. As a public health epidemiologist, Frank is involved in the prevention and reconstruction that follows natural disasters as well as bioterrorism and the role of the public health workforce....
Frank's professional background is in the assessment of public health programs as well as the evaluation of community health status to enhance the public health care delivery systems on a domestic and international scale. His professional interest and strength lie in the development and evaluation of public health activities to improve the community's health status as well as quality assurance of systems of health care delivery. His goal is to help educate communities about disease prevention while acknowledging the connection between public health and culture....
Frank has addressed the areas of effective interventions to r...Expand for more
educe the threat of chronic and infectious disease as well as maintaining the health of the environment in his public health endeavors. As an epidemiologist, he has focused on helping to improve the quality, availability and use of key public health services in reducing the threat of infectious diseases of major public health importance, with special emphasis on sustainability and integration of interventions. His goal is to help improve the health status, increase life expectancy and the general well being of people, in particular the elderly, by addressing health problems that stem from chronic and infectious diseases, wretched environmental conditions, and malnutrition....
Frank has had more than twenty years of experience in developing responses to public health challenges, developing programs, negotiating, working with rural US/Mexico border communities, Hispanic and Native American communities as well as in international forums and environments. Frank has had extensive experience in evaluating public health policies and he has conducted scientific analyses of current and emerging issues in health policy, health care delivery systems, health care reform and health services research as well as the epidemiology of chronic and infectious diseases...."
It's nice to know that my peers acknowledge my efforts, as minimal as they are, to put back into the "pot" that what has been given to me.
In parting I would like to share an excerpt from my family book, "MY ANCESTRAL FAMILY: The FLORES/CHAVES and The CORTEZ/GALLEGOS, Four of the First Families of New Mexico"
A DESIRE TO KNOW MY ANCESTRAL FAMILY - EPILOGUE (page 465/660)
A loving family has always surrounded me, yet as a growing child and later as a young adult with a growing family of my own and a busy, promising future in my chosen profession, I was not completely aware of who I was and my rich family history. It did not occur to me during this period of time to question my extended family about our family history. As time passed, I became very much involved in building my professional practice and providing for my children.
My fondest memories are those quality times spent with my children as they were growing up in the home we built on a hill with enough land in a park like atmosphere to have dogs, cats, pet chickens and ducks and an oversized swimming pool with a flowing fountain. We had many social gatherings as well as a marriage ceremony at our home and the children had sleepovers with friends.
There were wonderful school activities such as the high school Father- Daughter Dinner Dance, Little League Baseball, the extended stays at the Newport Beach house or Mammoth Mountain Inn during the summer breaks from school. The elegant as well as the family type restaurants, the theaters, the Broadway Musicals, the trip to San Francisco - staying at the Mark Hopkins, Disney Land, Knott Berry Farm, Marine Land, Wild Animal Safari, the children's in-state and out of state ski trips, family camping at Red's Meadows in the Sierra Mountains among other wonderful times, places & events that were enjoyed as a family.
Last but certainly not least, there was the marvelous number of times my sons and I, along with our cousin Eddy and his son Tommy, would backpack into the California High Sierras for days on end and of course there was also time for Motocross/dirt biking, each one of my sons with his own dirt bike. There are so many wonderful memories of my loving immediate family that would fill a book and God willing, I will continue sharing these lovely memories, and photos, of my precious family in another section of this book.
As the years have passed and I find myself rummaging through my memories, I have often felt a desire t*o know something more than I do regarding my ancestors. Perhaps and hopefully the same desire will be felt by some of my grandchildren and/or their descendents regarding their Grandfather Frank Cortez Flores and the rest of our marvelous ancestral family.
As I stated at the beginning of our family story book, I would like to share with you my blessings of a marvelous ancestry, primarily those of my paternal and maternal grandparents and their families that lived in what is now the state of New Mexico as well as my genealogical quest that has taken me back to circa 1530 in Llerena, Estremadura, Spain and beyond.
This is the story of my ancestral family, four of the Founding Spanish Families of New Mexico* The FLORES & CHAVES and The CORTEZ & GALLEGOS.
*(Ref. New Mexico Blue Book 1997-1998)
First and foremost, I would like to mention my love and admiration for my father and my mother, who nurtured me with loving care and hopefully I am a modest reflection of their gracious nature.
My paternal grandfather Francisco FLORES family of Dona Ana, Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Francisco FLORES was born Oct 1862 in Dona Ana, Territory of New Mexico and married Ana Maria Celsa CHAVES on 16 May 1887 in Santa Genevieves Church, Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, Territory of New Mexico.
My paternal grandmother Ana Maria Celsa CHAVES was born 10 Apr 1871 in the Territory of New Mexico.
My maternal grandfather Agapito CORTEZ family from Pecos, San Miguel County and Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico. Agapito CORTEZ was born 29 Sep 1854 in El Macho, Territory of New Mexico and married Maria Rosa GALLEGOS on 09 Jun 1882 in Nuestra Senora De Los Angeles, Pecos, San Miguel County, Territory of New Mexico.
My maternal grandmother Maria Rosa GALLEGOS was born 13 Sep 1863 in El Macho, Territory of New Mexico.
My FLORES family experience:
My childhood experiences growing up with my grandfather Flores are too varied and involved to condense, suffice to say that our Lord has blessed me with a loving and caring grandfather, who was my friend. As I remember, he would gather his sons together to make wine as he enjoyed his wine with dinner and would serve it whenever family or friends would visit.
Also, among his past life involvements, Francisco Flores served in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Battalion, 1st Regiment of New Mexico Volunteer Militia. He was sworn into the service of the Territory of New Mexico in Mesilla, Dona Ana County on the 27 June 1883 along with his two of his brothers Melquiades and Epimenio Flores.
His sons served during the first World War (WWI): My father served in the US Cavalry and his brother, my uncle, served in the US Navy.
My CORTEZ family experience:
My childhood on my Grandfather Cortez ranch ("Valley Ranch"): Grandpa's ranch is located in what is now called "The Pecos Wilderness" a region that is found in the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains where picturesque mountain scenery of rivers, creeks, meadows, lakes, conifer forests, aspen groves and wildlife can be found. The headwaters of the Pecos River run through Grandpa's ranch and interestingly, the Spaniards coined the word Pecos, from a Keresan word meaning "place where there is water."
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are one of the longest mountain chains on Earth. They stretch from Poncha Pass, Colorado, in the north to Glorieta Pass (near Pecos/Santa Fe), New Mexico, in the south. This is the high country (there are ten peaks over 14,000' high) where I lived a great deal of my childhood on my Grandfather's ranch and attended Saint Anthony School in Pecos, San Miguel County, New Mexico.
His son, my uncle, Fermin served during the First World War (WWI): Fermin Cortez (also known as the "Mountain Cowboy" in the book, "Mountain View Ranch 1915-1945" by Merideth A. Hmura) served overseas in France with the US Army during WWI and was wounded/disabled during a battle - he was machined gunned in the legs. He was reported missing in action and later found in a French hospital. He was honorably/medically discharge from the US Army and spent the rest of his life in and out of the VA hospitals
My grandpa's father, my great-grandfather, Francisco Cortez served during the American Civil War at the "Battle of Glorieta Pass" near Santa Fe, New Mexico with the Union Army, New Mexico Volunteers.
Many people do not know that the American Civil War was fought as far west as New Mexico, but in fact there was a vigorous campaign conducted by the Confederates Forces (Texans) to capture the state.
This little known battle (March 26-28, 1862), was strategically important for the Confederacy as they tried to spread their power west and their ultimate goal of obtaining the gold of California and Nevada
The Glorieta battlefield is part of The Pecos National Historical Park.
In passing our "Family Story Baton" to my loving family and descendants, I would like to share some parting thoughts for my grandchildren and their children's children to keep in mind: Grandpa Frank has been so "Very Blessed." I am able to look back at my life with satisfaction and pleasure. There is not a long list of regrets; I have been so very lucky. In addition to my beautiful family, wonderful things have fallen so consistently into my open arms.
There is nothing I believe I would done differently since I have enjoyed everything: Higher Education, International Public Health and Epidemiology, Health Care & Research in Developing Counties, Dentistry, Surgery, Law, Real Estate, Insurance, Genealogy, Backpacking, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Flying and so on. If there is anything I am proud of or pleased with is the mass of happenings/experiences I was able to add up because of my Blessings.
But if God sent down word that I could do just one thing more before I am called, I am sure I would gravitate back to the high country of my beloved state of New Mexico and The Pecos Wilderness where I lived and enjoyed a portion of my youth.
And so being the 13th generation in our country, my family story is not ending - with my grandchildren (15th generation) leading the way, it is the beginning of another generation cycle all over again.
"The Sun Will Never Set On My Family”
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