PHDR Community Member Spotlight, Maria Orleny Arboleda
Maria Arboleda serves on the Program in Health Disparities Research’s Community-Academic Board and is a SoLaHmo board member and community liaison. She is a passionate advocate for health equity and empowering the community. Her commitment to building meaningful and trusting relationships between research professionals and the community is shaped by her lived experiences. Originally from Colombia, she immigrated to the United States in the late 80s. Her journey fueled her dedication to being a supportive ally and advocate for health equity, particularly for underserved communities.
After high school, Maria attended St. Cloud State University in Minnesota on a pre-nursing scholarship. However, she later transferred to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, to pursue pre-medicine. Her academic journey ultimately led her to a career focused on health equity, where she became deeply involved in domestic and sexual violence advocacy and women's rights. Maria’s advocacy is driven by her desire to serve and support survivors. She eventually became a case manager and advocate for mothers and Latinos living with HIV/AIDS in Minnesota. Through this role, Maria became a doula, primarily supporting pregnant teenagers and young adults, as well as mothers affected by HIV/AIDS, and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Through the HIV/AIDS program, Maria became a stronger health advocate for immigrants, women, and youth. As a full-time volunteer doula, she also managed other programs before being recruited to work with the Aqui Para Ti program and school-based clinics. In this role, she provided young adults health education and prevention services.
A few years later, Maria was recruited for a teen pregnancy study at the University of Minnesota, focusing on low-income teens in the metro area. These experiences gave her a deeper understanding of community health research and the impact she could have by advocating for health issues affecting the community. As a result, Maria accepted a Community Health Engagement role, ultimately becoming an active Community Health Research Board member. She continues to bridge the gap between the community and research, advocating for the voices of people of color and marginalized communities. Maria emphasizes the importance of community recognition in research and strives to create spaces where marginalized voices are heard and valued.
Outside of work and volunteer efforts, Maria enjoys traveling and by habit, always carries a kite, ready to take it out on a windy day. She believes deeply in the power of self-care, urging others to "practice what we preach" and to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for their experiences. For Maria, effective health equity work requires humility, collaboration, and a strong connection to family and community. She encourages others to participate in volunteer work and embrace the joy and fulfillment that can come from community service.
