Alonzo Atencio

Alonzo Cristoval Atencio (June 23, 1926 – January 10, 2010) was a professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and served as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Director of Minority Programs. He was the founding organizer and first president of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. Atencio became known as the “Godfather of minority medical education. ”

Early life and education Atencio was born on June 23, 1926 in Ortiz, Colorado to Rafael and Celina Ortiz Atencio. He received his doctorate in biochemistry at University of Colorado, Boulder. His dissertation was titled “Metabolism and Distribution of Fibrinogen in Young and Older Male Rabbits” which focused on factor XIII fibrinogen. He continued his post doctoral work at Northwestern University.

Personal life Atencio died on January 10, 2010, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Atencio married Margaret Ann. He had five children, Alonzo, Deborah, Luke Atencio, Michael Atencio, and Patricia Lucero. He had four stepchildren, Karen, William, Angela, and Iris. He had five grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.