National Trauma Institute Hires Teresa Niño as Director of Communications & Legislative Affairs

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Trauma Institute, a non-profit grant making organization that funds short-term trauma research, has hired marketing and public relations veteran Teresa Niño to head its Communications and Legislative Affairs efforts.

“The Life and Times of Wilie Velasquez: Su Voto es Su Voz”

Niño most recently headed the Marketing Department for the San Antonio Express-News as well as its Community Relations department and the Express-News Charitable Foundation. Prior to that, she headed the Marketing and Business Development department for the commercial business park KellyUSA for eight years, now known as Port San Antonio and was responsible for their international outreach. Niño was a researcher for marketing Guru Lionel Sosa’s book, “The Americano Dream.” In the 90’s, she was an appointee in the Clinton Administration, serving in the Office of Public Affairs for the Health and Human Services department under Secretary Donna E. Shalala; and was Assistant Press Secretary for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for the City of Chicago in the 80’s. Niño began her professional career as a television reporter in Chicago, Illinois.

“Teresa’s vast experience and expertise in the field of communications as well as her broad network on the political front will play a critical role as we move forward with our national agenda,” said Sharon Smith, Executive Director of the National Trauma Institute. “We are delighted to have Teresa join our team and are very excited about her vision for our growth.”

The National Trauma Institute’s mission is to fund short-term (3-5 years) trauma-related research that will change and improve current practices and procedures and thereby lower the number of deaths due to trauma. Trauma-related deaths are the number one cause of death for people ages 1-44; and trauma-related injuries occur everyday throughout America and cost our country billions of dollars in treatment and rehabilitation. Many Level 1 Trauma Centers throughout the country have closed due to lack of funds. Time consuming and repetitive surgeries, such as those necessary with traumatic injuries, become too expensive for health plans to cover or for hospitals to get reimbursed. The number of casualties and injuries has increased due to the war and the opportunity to learn and implement best practices in emergency situations needs to be researched and proven. As has been shown with diseases such as AIDS and Cancer, when funds are allocated to research, and practices are changed, the number of deaths is reduced.

Niño serves on various local boards and committees and has received numerous awards for her charitable work and leadership. She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ). She resides in San Antonio with her husband, Juan A. Sepúlveda, Jr., author of the book, “The Life and Times of Wilie Velasquez: Su Voto es Su Voz,” and their two children, Michael and Victoria.