About PAS Global

Dear Friends, Business and Professional Associates,  
I hope this letter finds you in good health and with ambitious spirits. The history of our native El Salvador is marked by numerous revolutions and subsequent triumphs that led to the earning of our independence from Spain in 1821. History has documented that Salvadorans are recognized as hard working, resilient and brave individuals. To this day we carry that tradition and we have our predecessors to thank for that. Through their efforts and examples, applicable qualities such as courage, civic pride, strength, and a solid work ethic were exhibited to be inherited by future generations.  
In addition to our common ancestry, we share the determination and unfailing passion to succeed in our respective businesses and interests. As Professionals, we direct our time, energy, patience and intellect to reach our prescribed goals. Which ever role you compete in, success is a common thread that connects us all. Our plan of action is to prosper.  
With that being said, allow me to take the time to introduce to you as well as share with you some information about outstanding and successful Salvadorans that operate and our a welcomed benefit our community.  
I will begin by introducing Marta. I had the pleasure of meeting Marta at a CAFTA briefing at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Marta is an accomplished individual with impressive credentials that include a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola Mary Mount University (Magna Cum Laude) and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from USC Law School. Marta is currently a partner at the prominent Law Firm of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler and Marmaro, LLP (JMBM).  
Santiago Siliezar is an exemplification of an entrepreneur. He allowed his instincts and his risk taking spirit to go against persistent advice to locate his business in the Pico-Union district rather than an area in the west side of Los Angeles. He could have chosen to offer his services in an area that was familiar to him, but instead he invested in a high rent location and opened the doors to his business to clientele that would yield higher profits. His decision paid enormous dividends. He now operates a successful business in Brentwood, CA and services elite decision makers in the entertainment business and high powered executives.  
Another note-worthy person I’d like to introduce to you is Renato Cartagena who came this country with a dream and a vision. Today, he is the Principal Engineer at Disneyland and co-founder of the theme park engineering program at Cal State Long Beach, the only such program in the nation. He is also the CEO of Espino Beach Resort that will be built in Bahia de Jiquilisco in El Salvador.  
The afore-mentioned individuals are a minuscule sample of successful Salvadoran-Americans. Accomplished Salvadoran-Americans reside through out the world. We are an accomplished group of people that hold prestigious positions such as Engineers, Doctors, Scientists, Attorneys, and influential Politicians in this great nation. We our owners of our own struggles, historic events and accomplishments. We are a nation within ourselves.  
The primary objective of this letter is to introduce you to the idea of establishing a global network of Salvadorans that will be recognized as the Professional Association de Salvadoreňos. 
This organization will serve a multitude of purposes. Its central intention is to advance the status and improve and sustain the overall quality of life for Salvadorans around the globe. We will search for innovative ideas and create a plan of action to achieve our goals. The areas of focus will include, but will not be limited to, education, employment, business, politics, and socio-economic conditions . 
I am inviting successful individuals such yourself to construct such an organization. It will take a group of motivated, determined, educated, and accomplished Salvadorans to formulate a blueprint and architect the foundation of this organization. I welcome your input and thoughts in engineering an organization whose sole purpose will be to improve the quality of life for Salvadorans Americans.  

Saludos,  
Hugo A. Hernandez PAS | Global 
Nace La Esperanza...Viene el Cambio 
3334 E. Coast Hwy, Suite 203 
Corona Del Mar, CA USA 92625-2328
email:pas.global08@gmail.com web:pasglobal.blogspot.com

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Dr. Sonia Molina - UCLA/Harvard - Oral Surgeon - A Salvadoran Success Story

Sonia Molina, D.M.D., M.P.H. serves as President of Molina Endodontics, a dental office specializing in root canals and servers as President of NassillonDevelopment Inc., a company specializing in real estate development in Southern California. Additionally, she is a well respected clinical lecturer in the dental community as well as an active community leader.

Fleeing political turmoil inEl Salvador, Dr. Molina along with her mother and siblings moved to the United States when she was 17 years old. At a young age, Dr. Molina knew the value of hard work. While attending high school, she worked in a fast food restaurant, cleaned houses on the weekends, and attended English classes in the evening.

Dr. Molina attended California StateUniversity, Long Beach, were she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Biomedical Sciences. Upon graduation, she was accepted to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and School of Public Health where she received both her Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree and Master of Public Health Degree. Dr. Molina completed her Postdoctoral in Endodontics from the UCLA School of Dentistry.

Dr. Molina has been involved in various community based organizations. Most notably, she was a founding member of The Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF). This non-profit, non-partisan, civic organization is committed to expanding the political and economic contributions of the Salvadoran and other Central American communities in the United States.

She is active on the Board of the Los Angeles Dental Society, Latin American Dental Association, Harvard Alumni Association, Women Dental Society. Additionally, she is a commissioner on the Los Angeles Health Authority Commission. At the state level, she is currently on the California Dental Board, and is a house delegate, as well as a legislative representative for the California Dental Association. Dr. Molina has served as president of theDowney Dental Academy for 5 years, and has been a volunteer dentist for Clinica Monsenor Romero, the Latin Business Association, and was involved in creating the Firebaugh Free Children’s Dental Clinic in the City of Huntington Park.

Dr. Molina has received various awards and acknowledgements for her accomplishments and community involvement. Univision, KMEX 34 has named her el “Orgullo Hispano”; Telemundo, KVEA 52 has honored her as the “Hispanic Business Salute 2000”. She has also received the “Faculty of the Year” by the UCLA Endodontic Department, and the “Woman of the Year” by the City of Los Angeles.

Dr. Molina is married to H. Francisco Leal, Principal Partner, Leal & Dominguez LLP. They have two Daughters Marcela and Andrea and reside in the City of Los Angeles.

CURRICULUM VITAE

SONIA MOLINA, D.M.D., M.P.H.

EDUCATION

University of California at Los Angeles, School ofDentistry

West Los Angeles, CA

Postdoctoral Endodontics, 1992

Veteran Administration Hospital

West Los Angeles, CA

General Practice Residency Program, 1990

Harvard University, School of Dental Medicine

Boston, MA

D.M.D., 1989

Harvard School of Public Health

Boston, MA

M.P.H., 1989

California State University, Long Beach

Long Beach, CA

Biomedical Sciences, B.A., 1983

Bell High School

Bell, CA

EXPERIENCE

Molina Endodontics President 11/92 – Present

8207 East Third Street

Suite: 103

Downey, CA 90242

Nassillon Development Inc, President 1999 – Present

8207 E. Third Street

Downey, CA 900242

University of California, Los Angeles Clinical Lecturer 6/92 – Present

Department of Endondontics

Los Angeles, CA

Licensed Practitioners Clinic Staff Dentist 8/88 – 5/89

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Boston, MA

Harvard Health Professions Program Cell Biology Instr. 6/88 – 8/88

Cambridge, MA

United Concordia Consultant 8/98 – Present

RESEARCH

Experimental Studies of the Application of the Excimer Laser on Dental Hard Substances.

Research Sponsor: Dr. Chutima Mangkornkarn, Program Director

Post Doctoral Endodontics

University of California at Los Angeles, 11/90 – 6/92

Longitudinal Study of the Presence of Fluorosis in School Children in Non-Fluoridated Communities.

Research Sponsor: Dr. Paul DePaola, Assistant Clinical Professor

Forsyth Dental Center, 8/88 – 5/89.

A Study of Hispanic Versus Non-Hispanic Women: Attitudes and Practice of Oral Health.

Research Sponsor: Myron Allukian, Director

Bureau of Community of Dental Programs, 7/87 – 5/88.

Summer Research Fellow

Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Department of Experimental Cardiology

Pasadena, CA 6/85 – 8/85.

APPOINTMENTS

Firebaugh Free Children’s Dental Clinic, Board of Directors, 2004

California Dental Board, Committee of Dental Auxiliaries, 2003

Los Angeles Health Authority Commission, 2004

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

SALEF, Chair, Board of Directors, 1997-2003

Los Angeles Dental Society, Legislative Committee Member

California Dental Association, House of Delegates

California Dental Association, Judge of student’s research

Downey Dental Academy, President, 1995-2000

Latin American Dental Association, Board Member

Clinica Monsenor Romero, Past Member, Board of Directors

Harvard Alumni Association, Member, Regional Admissions Interviewer

Latin Business Association, Past Member

Woman’s Dental Society, Past Treasurer

HONORS

“Women of the Year”, 2007

International Association of Salvadoran Woman

“Women of Distinction Award”, 2007

Office of the Speaker Fabian Nunes

“Business Service Award”, 2005

National Latina Business Women’s Association

“Salvadoran of the year Award”, 2005

Salvadoran American Leadership Educational Fund

“Entrepreneurial Achievement Award”, 2005

Latina Style Magazine

“Orgullo Hispano”, 2001

Univision, KMEX 34

“Hispanic Business Salute”, 2000

Telemundo, KVEA 52

“Faculty of the Year”

The UCLA Endodontic Department, 1999

“Scientific Award”

Indian Dental Association, 1998

“Special Contribution”

Women Dentist Association

“Woman of the Year”

City of Los Angles, Hispanic Heritage Month, 1995

“Outstanding Achievement in Dentistry”

International College of Dentist.

“Outstanding Contribution”

Harvard School of Medicine, Student Affairs Office.

“First Place: Outstanding Achievement in Community Dentistry”

American Association of Public Health Dentistry”

Student Merit Awards Competition.

“Crusade Scholar”

United Methodist Church.

National Hispanic Scholarship

Kellogg Foundation Fellowship

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Country of Origin: El Salvador

Immigrated to the United States after graduating from Instituto National High School, San Salvador.

Bilingual Fluent in Spanish and English
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