Utah domestic violence advocate receives 2009 Latino Hero Award

SALT LAKE CITY — Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah announced today it awarded Karla Arroyo, the executive director of a Utah domestic violence shelter, its 2009 Latino Hero Award. The award is part of Regence’s ongoing commitment to the Latino community, and it honors individuals of Latino descent who have given back to the community and have impressive professional or educational accomplishments.

 

"Karla Arroyo is a tireless advocate for domestic violence survivors in the Utah Latino community,” said Francisco Garbayo, assistant director of Regence’s emerging markets. “She helps people find the courage, skills and resources to build a new life, and her compassion and commitment to empowering the Latino community truly embodies the spirit of Regence’s Latino Hero Award."

 

Arroyo, a licensed clinical social worker, is the executive director of South Valley Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter in South Jordan. Although the shelter serves all domestic violence survivors, it is geared toward helping underserved minority communities, and it oversees the only Spanish language domestic violence coalition in Utah. Arroyo also trains Utah police officers and child protection workers to be more culturally aware and speaks at workshops and events around the state as well as in her native Mexico.

 

“The Regence Latino Hero Award was created to honor Latinos making significant contributions to the community, and it is part of Regence’s larger Latino outreach program focusing on health education,” continued Garbayo. “At Regence we understand and honor the changing face of our communities.”

 

As the recipient of the Hero Award, Arroyo will receive $2,000, which she plans to donate to South Valley Sanctuary. She will also be featured in a Regence advertising campaign.

 

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah is a leading health plan in Utah, with more than 400,000 members, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence is the largest health insurer in the Northwest / Intermountain Region, serving more than 2.5 million members as Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Each plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is committed to improving the health of our members and our communities, and to transforming our health care system. For more information, please visit www.regence.com or www.regence.com/RegenceUtah.