In 2004, residents of the low-income, primarily Latino neighborhood of Little Village came together with leaders from Saint Anthony Hospital to address a critical gap: the lack of accessible, high-quality healthcare on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Thousands of families were relying on emergency rooms for routine care because there were simply no other options. Out of that need, Esperanza Health Center was born—Esperanza, meaning hope. What began as a single primary care clinic on South California Avenue has grown into a powerful force for change. Today, Esperanza operates seven sites, employs more than 400 dedicated staff, and provides accessible, bilingual, comprehensive care to over 50,000 patients each year. From adult medicine and pediatrics to women’s health, behavioral health, and wellness programs, Esperanza continues to lead with innovation, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to its community.

This mission is deeply personal to me. I’m originally from Southern California and was raised around Latino communities, which shaped my understanding of culture, family, and the importance of trust in healthcare. I attended medical school at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Mexico, where I witnessed firsthand the health disparities that disproportionately affect minority communities—especially Latino populations. During my time there, I learned Spanish to better communicate with and advocate for patients, because language should never be a barrier to care. As an African American physician, I also understand what it feels like to navigate systems that haven’t always served communities like mine equitably.

I’m raising money for Esperanza because their work reflects everything I believe healthcare should be: accessible, culturally competent, and rooted in dignity and respect. Supporting Esperanza means investing in hope, equity, and real change for families who deserve quality care close to home. Together, we can help close gaps, save lives, and strengthen the health of our communities—one patient at a time.

Crecí rodeado de comunidades latinas y aprendí español para poder servir mejor a los pacientes y conectar con sus historias. Durante mis estudios de medicina en México, fui testigo de las desigualdades que afectan de manera desproporcionada a las comunidades minoritarias. Por eso apoyo a Esperanza Health Center—una organización que ofrece atención médica accesible, bilingüe y con dignidad a miles de familias cada año.

Apoyar a Esperanza es elegir la esperanza sobre la indiferencia, la comunidad sobre la división, y la salud como un derecho, no un privilegio.