After being in discussion since last September, Dr. R. Mario Sanchez’s ideas finally came to fruition.

At the start of this school year, Sanchez and a group of like-minded individuals formed the Latino Employee Network. It focuses on recruitment and retention of Latino faculty and staff.

“I believe that Latino Americans – just like any other group – need a firm united voice to express the Latino concerns and aspirations and LEN can certainly provide that,” Sanchez, LEN president, said.

Dr. Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, associate vice president of health sciences, said it’s important to acknowlege all nationalities on campus.

“This type of network is very important in a community (like CU) where you have very few underrepresented groups,” Kosoko-Lasaki said.

In addition to promoting the general interests of Latinos at Creighton, LEN will work to attract more patients of Latino background to the Creighton University Medical Center, where Sanchez works in family practice. He also hopes to promote cultural awareness of all groups.

LEN started up late last year after two Creighton faculty mentioned the need for hiring more Latinos at Creighton.

Inspired by the Black Employee Network, Dr. Kosoko-Lasaki contacted tT%he Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., who was very supportive of the ideas LEN promotes.

The network has encountered some minor difficulties.

“Encouraging non-professional employees to participate has been a challenge,” Kosoko-Lasaki said.

She has also said scheduling conflicts have been a challenge in the recruitment process for the network. Although LEN is directed primarily at Creighton, CUMC and Tenet employees, it is open to any individuals who want to help further its goals.