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“They are waiting in the family room”, is what I was told as I walked out of the trauma-bay at one of LA’s busiest trauma centers. “In the family room? Ok, I will be there in a moment” and took a deep breath as I collected my thoughts before going in to speak with a family from Guatemala who found themselves in my emergency department waiting to hear news about their grandmother. In my career I have found myself walking into many family rooms, hospital rooms, and clinic rooms to meet patients and their families for the first time. When I meet Latino patients and their families, I can see the relief in their eyes knowing they will be able to communicate with me, their doctor, not just in language but through an unspoken bond that builds on trust.

I almost didn’t get to this point. Like many, I nearly succumbed to believing stereotypes portraying Latinos as intellectually or physically limited. After all, no one I knew growing up was a doctor, not on TV, and those I met never looked like me. So, this idea of becoming one seemed such an out-of-reach dream. Especially when my high school counselors did not think I was smart enough or driven enough to get into college, but I did. Or “that physician” who thought I was not qualified to get into medical school, but I did. Or that attending who thought I would end up “being eaten by the lions”, while I accepted a faculty position. There were always people who didn’t see me, who don’t see us. Latinos have always been here, our lives often going unnoticed as we quietly contribute to the essential work around us.

As I reflect on National Hispanic Heritage Month, one thing has become evident—that we need more representation. In healthcare, there has been a growing body of evidence indicating that patients who share the same race and ethnicity with their doctor have better health outcomes. However, Latinos represent only 6% of all US doctors, but make up 19% of the US population, with some states like California having closer to 40% of the population being Latino. This gap was made more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when Latino’s throughout the country were hospitalized or died of COVID-19 at higher rates. Many tried to understand why this was happening. No, it’s not because we are sicker as a group. It’s because we don’t have enough representation in healthcare. When care is delivered with sensitivity and understanding of cultural influences and differences it can improve the experience and outcome of an individual, of a community. But this can only happen with cultural diversity and representation.

There is a whole movement happening among Latino physicians, National Latino Physician Day on October 1st championed by Dr. Michael Galvez and Dr. Cesar Padilla, bringing awareness to the fact that only 6% of doctors are Latino, with only 2% of those being Latinas. Social media threads from Latino doctors are filled with the message that we need more representation to help close the gaps in quality of care and improve health outcomes for our community. It’s this same message that has been so apparent while working at Zócalo Health—to care for our patients who are Latino, Latinx, Latiné, Afro-Latino. To show up, to make space for those younger doctors, to be an ally and a mentor. Our presence creates possibilities, and seeing ourselves reflected in the diverse roles breeds further opportunities.  

True change will only happen when we, as a collective, have the courage to support one another and help increase the representation, so more doctors can walk into that family room to communicate with their patient not just through language but through an unspoken bond that builds on trust.

I am thrilled to share the news that Zócalo Health, our virtual primary care company, has been chosen as one of the recipients of the prestigious Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund. This opportunity is a true testament to our innovation, growth potential, and unwavering commitment to transforming healthcare for underserved communities.

As entrepreneurs, we have always dreamed of creating something impactful and meaningful. Growing up, we were inspired by stories of successful entrepreneurs who made a difference in their communities. We wanted to follow in their footsteps and contribute to our communities in our unique way. Now, having the opportunity to do so with Google for Startups is a big professional milestone for us.

The Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund is an initiative specifically designed to support growth-stage tech startups led by Latino founders. It offers non-dilutive funding, personalized mentorship from Google experts and top local mentors, and a vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Being selected as part of this program means that we have access to a wealth of resources and guidance to help us navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with scaling a startup.

As recipients of the Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund, Zócalo Health has been awarded up to $150,000 in equity-free cash awards. This funding is a game-changer for us, as it enables us to invest in our growth and development without diluting our ownership. Additionally, the personalized mentorship and technical support from Google experts and renowned local mentors are invaluable assets that will undoubtedly fuel our success.

The impact of the Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund is truly remarkable. Over $20 million has been awarded to date, supporting Latino-led startups in securing funding, strengthening communities, and creating generational change. It is inspiring to know that 78% of previous recipients reported immediate revenue growth as a result of the award, and 56% went on to secure additional funding, amounting to over $50 million in outside capital. We are honored to be a part of this program and are excited about the possibilities it brings.

Being selected for the Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund is not only a recognition of our dedication to revolutionizing healthcare for underserved communities but also a validation of our dreams and aspirations. We are deeply grateful for the support from Google and the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse community of like-minded entrepreneurs. 

Together, we can build a healthier future para la gente, providing accessible and culturally sensitive healthcare to those who need it most.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Google for this remarkable opportunity. With their support, we are confident in our ability to drive innovation, scale our operations, and make a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.

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At Zócalo Health, our mission is to revolutionize primary care delivery and deliver a much needed improvement on the healthcare experience for our growing Latino community. A year ago today, we launched our virtual primary care service in California. The decision to launch Zócalo Health into California first was driven by two factors: the density of Latinos in the state and the pressing need to serve this rapidly growing population. We understood that the state's sizable Latino community was facing significant barriers to healthcare access. By leveraging technology and innovative delivery models, we were able to transcend these barriers and offer quality primary care that Latinos could trust.

Our launch into California allowed us to build strong partnerships within the community, collaborating with local organizations and leaders who shared our vision for equitable healthcare. Together, we worked tirelessly to empower Latinos and to create a healthcare environment where individuals felt valued, respected, and understood.

The success we achieved in California not only reinforced the importance of our mission but also provided us with valuable insights and learnings that would shape our future expansion plans. We recognized that the need for Zócalo Health's services extended well beyond state borders, calling for a nationwide approach to address the growing healthcare disparities faced by the Latino community. Six months after launching in California we launched our services in Texas. 

Growing up and having family roots in Texas, we have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the Latino community in accessing quality healthcare. We know the one-size-fits-all health care system is not designed to meet the unique needs of different racial and ethnic groups. Latinos comprise 16% of the U.S. population and are now Texas’s largest racial and ethnic group representing 40% of the population. 

While Texas and California both presented as unique opportunities to launch a much needed service, we recognize that our work is just beginning. There are more communities we need to reach, more people that need to be reconnected to a health system that caters to their needs and cultures, and additional communities across every state that need Zócalo Health. Across the United States, the Latino population is experiencing significant growth in every state. From the bustling streets of New York to the serene landscapes of Montana, Latinos are an integral part of the fabric that weaves our nation together. This demographic shift highlights the crucial importance of providing healthcare services that cater to the unique needs of this community. At Zócalo Health, we recognize the significance of this national growth and are committed to expanding our reach to ensure that Latinos in every state have access to quality primary care that respects their cultural identity and empowers them to lead healthy lives.  

To continue that work, we are excited and proud to announce that we are launching our services to the state of Washington. 

For the past 5 years, Erik and Mariza have called the state of Washington their home. We have raised our families and have grown a community of Latino allies and supporters that support the mission of Zócalo Health. Not only are we bringing a much needed service to the State of Washington, but we are finally bringing our company to our neighbors and family which is a very important and personal milestone on our journey to scaling Zócalo Health nationwide. 

The state of Washington is experiencing a significant and dynamic growth of the Latino population, making it a crucial focal point for Zócalo Health's expansion. Latinos in Washington play an essential role in its social and economic fabric. With each passing year, the Latino population in Washington continues to grow, bringing diverse perspectives, traditions, and talents to the state. Recognizing this demographic shift, Zócalo Health aims to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the Latino community in Washington by providing accessible and culturally-aligned primary care services. By doing so, we can empower individuals to prioritize their health and well-being, while fostering a healthier and more inclusive future for all Washingtonians.

Again, this work is just beginning. We have a lot of lives and communities to reach and we won’t be able to do it alone.  Our supporters and our communities give Zócalo the energy needed to thrive and persevere in an ever-changing and challenging world. Come along with us as we grow our Zócalo Health family one community and one patient at a time. We are committed to ensuring that every Latino, regardless of their location, has access to quality healthcare that respects their cultural identity and beliefs. Zócalo Health is more than a healthcare company; it's a movement that aims to uplift and empower Latinos nationwide. 

Juntos, we can build a healthier future para la gente.

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Access to quality healthcare has always been a challenge for the Latino community in the United States. Many barriers, such as language, cultural differences, and economic disparities, hinder the provision of adequate healthcare services. In fact, 20.9% of Hispanics or Latinos in the U.S. were uninsured in 2020, significantly higher than the national average of 9.7% (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2021) [1]. Zócalo Health and Cost Plus Drugs have joined forces to tackle these challenges head-on and provide affordable, culturally competent healthcare to the Latino community.

Disparities in Healthcare for the Latino Community

The Latino community faces multiple barriers in accessing quality primary care services. High prescription drug costs are one of the most significant challenges, with nearly 30% of individuals taking prescription medications struggling to afford the cost (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2019) [2]. The burden falls most heavily on those making less than $40,000 a year and having medication costs over $100. Latinos are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to require medications for chronic health conditions and often do not have the ability to pay pharmacy prices. For instance, Hispanic adults are 66% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to non-Hispanic white adults (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021) [3]. This situation forces many Latino individuals to make the impossible choice between life-saving medications and putting food on the table.

Culturally Competent Primary Care Services by Zócalo Health

Recognizing the importance of trust and cultural fluency in healthcare, Zócalo Health has developed a primary care model that blends tradition with innovation. Each member of Zócalo Health is paired with a promotor de salud (community health worker) who establishes a relationship to better understand the member's goals and connect them to a culturally aligned Zócalo Health physician. This team of physicians, hired from the community, focuses on prevention, primary care, behavioral health, and traditional practices that work together to support the members' wellness.

Zócalo Health and Cost Plus Drugs: A Collaborative Approach

The collaboration between Zócalo Health and Cost Plus Drugs seeks to integrate the transparent pricing and convenience offered by Cost Plus Drugs with Zócalo Health's culturally fluent care navigation team. All users of Zócalo Health gain access to Cost Plus Drugs' prescriptions through membership packages or one-time urgent care visits. Both companies share the common goal of providing consumers the lowest possible price for their prescription medication while ensuring a seamless experience for patients.

The Role of Healthcare Navigation in the Zócalo Health Experience

Zócalo Health care navigators or promotoras de salud, play a crucial role in assisting members interested in transferring their medications. They answer questions, coordinate with the provider on the member's behalf, and help maximize access to low-cost options like Cost Plus Drugs. Their efforts aim to improve the overall experience of medication management for the Latino patient while gradually building the trust needed for long-term relationships and ongoing care management.

The Impact of Transparent Pricing on Prescription Drug Affordability

Cost Plus Drugs' transparent pricing model charges a standard markup on every drug it sells. This approach benefits consumers by providing a fair price and the convenience of medication mailed directly to their homes. In fact, research has shown that transparency in healthcare pricing can lead to reduced healthcare costs (Health Affairs, 2019) [4]. Moreover, Cost Plus Drugs is working with health plans, managed-care organizations, pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), and self-insured employers to extend these savings to employer-sponsored benefit plans nationwide.

Final Thoughts

The collaboration between Zócalo Health and Cost Plus Drugs has the potential to revolutionize healthcare access and affordability for the Latino community in the United States. By working together to address healthcare disparities and incorporating transparent pricing, we pave the way for more inclusive, equitable, and culturally competent healthcare experiences. With a continued focus on trust, innovation, and cultural alignment, Zócalo Health and Cost Plus Drugs are making strides toward ensuring that affordable, culturally responsive healthcare becomes a reality for the Latino community, ultimately eliminating existing disparities and improving health outcomes for millions of individuals.

[1] Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/?dataView=1&currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D

[2] Kaiser Family Foundation. (2019). How Many of the Uninsured Can Purchase a Marketplace Plan for Free in 2020? Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/how-many-of-the-uninsured-can-purchase-a-marketplace-plan-for-free-in-2020/

[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf

[4] Health Affairs. (2019). Increased Price Transparency in Health Care — Challenges and Potential Effects. Retrieved from https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2011.1270

The Zócalo is a vast open space found in the center of Mexico City, surrounded by historic buildings. While the architectural beauty of this space is undeniable, it’s the people cooking and eating the foods, it’s the aromas that fill the air, and it’s the music drumming loudly that define The Zócalo as the heart of Mexico City. It is the community that brings The Zócalo to life – cementing it as a place where people come together and strengthen their community through shared culture.

It's also the inspiration for the founding of Zócalo Health, where we prioritize relationships, community, and  culture as the center of the Latino healthcare experience.

Whether we or our ancestors came from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Columbia, or Argentina (to name a few), we are united in our desire to progress while preserving the unique culture and traditions that our families have brought to the US. With over 30+ combined years working across different sectors of healthcare, we shared that same desire and vision to bring back the culture and connection felt in communities like The Zócalo to healthcare.

As founders, we both recall growing up and visiting city centers across Central and South America. We always connected back to our memories of experiencing a community coming together in a central area for resources and connection to each other. We remember the food, the stories told, the heartache witnessed, and the laughter shared. These sights, sounds, and stories of Latin American cultures were all imprinted on us growing up in the US and always brought comfort to us – a comfort missing from our personal and professional lives working in healthcare.

Today, over 62 million people in the US identify as Latinos. We are the fastest growing multicultural group in this country, accounting for over 18% of the total population. But our healthcare system is filled with inequalities for Latino patients. Language barriers, a lack of systematic trust, and access issues exist because we have failed to design our healthcare system around the unique identities and needs of this multicultural demographic.

We watched our families get dismissed in the exam room and heard stories of  struggling to find a trusted source of care. The mission of Zócalo Health was born in those moments of frustration and confusion. We developed a vision of a company that would prioritize trusting relationships between patient and provider and simplify appointment access at an affordable, accessible price point. So Zócalo Health was founded in 2021, because our community deserved better.

The path to bring Zócalo Health to life wasn’t simple. As Latino founders, we face unique odds. Only 2% of overall startup investment supports Latino-founded businesses, and those odds only get slimmer for companies with a woman on board. Plus, health companies and organizations in the US tend to lack diversity at the top. Founders and entrepreneurs with our background are severely underfunded and often go unsupported in their ventures. Despite years of experience scaling and building other healthcare products and brands, we heard “no” far more often than we heard “yes” when we sought funding.

Zócalo Health wasn’t incubated in Silicon Valley. It started like so many of our childhood memories do – around the dinner table and in our communities. We met with people who  needed our services and met with doctors and nurses that shared our vision. With relentless commitment , we were able to raise $5 million from investors that were aligned with our mission and ready to support the launch of Zócalo Health.

Zócalo Health.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we seek to raise awareness, recognition, and understanding of the healthcare inequalities and outcomes across the Latino community. We have a lot of work to do, but it starts with one patient at a time. With each patient, we can start to create a new kind of healthcare system and – importantly – start the movement toward strengthening the Latino voice. A strong Latino voice proudly carries our roots at the center, holding our family values, our respect for others, and our gratitude for those who paved the way close to our hearts. Together, with our community, we can change the narrative around Latino health. We can improve the outcomes and increase the workforce. We can increase access and improve quality. And we can come together as a community to eat, laugh, and dance in celebration of our health.

But we must start somewhere. We start with Zócalo Health.

Zócalo Health is now available in California, Texas, and Washington. To learn more about how Zócalo is blending innovation and tradition to provide culturally competent care, visit zocalo.health

Healthcare has always been marked by heroism. World-renowned surgical teams perform life-saving procedures while, floors away, emergency providers face Level 1 trauma. But unseen primary care physicians (PCPs) serve as heroes in their own communities day in and day out.

Although preventive health is a hot topic, our system underinvests in supportive infrastructure for primary care teams. This has triggered a PCP shortage that’s bound to worsen, which will harm underserved populations like Latinos.

At Zócalo Health, we see primary care teams as the eyes, ears, and hands of health care. Here, we leverage a primary care model that integrates community health workers (CHWs). In recent decades, CHWs - or promotores de salud - have led public health initiatives across the world. Research shows they’re crucial to helping health systems achieve full potential, since they work to connect patients to local resources and care. Their approach is holistic: they may help families who live in food deserts access nutritious food, offer culturally appropriate health education, or make home visits.

At Zócalo, this promotor coordinates a full care team of physicians, nurses, and mental health therapists. We believe each of these primary care team members is the true hero of healthcare. Why is this especially important for Latinos?

Latinos experience disproportionately limited access to primary care: in majority Latino neighborhoods, there’s a ratio of one primary care physician for every five to six thousand residents. And many Latinos live in urban areas, where they wait on average 24 days to see a PCP. In our communities, we know that between coordinating time off from work, childcare, and figuring out transportation to a faraway office, a single appointment can be a huge hurdle.

Over time, these challenges in access cause a lack of established primary care relationships. Latino patients may avoid care or use informal networks for advice and treatment - meaning they may wait until their conditions deteriorate before seeking urgent care or traveling to the ER. We know that this is detrimental to their immediate health and impacts long-term health outcomes, in addition to being expensive for the patients.  

Growing up in predominantly Hispanic communities in Houston and rural New Mexico, challenges with the healthcare system didn’t stop once you were able to get to the physician’s office. Our loved ones told stories of doctors not taking the time to listen to their stories or judging them for trying home remedies. In the rare case where there was a Spanish speaking provider or the physicians had translated materials, the treatment our friends and families received remained far short of being truly culturally aware.  

The pandemic reminded us that downstream issues of limited access and insufficient care can have big upstream implications. Across the Latino population, we see significantly higher rates of chronic diseases, like heart disease, cancers, and HIV. One in two Latinos will develop diabetes during their lifetimes. These chronic health conditions can wreak havoc on individuals’ lives and place additional stress on our healthcare system.

But early intervention and targeted lifestyle changes have the power to transform health across an individual’s lifetime – a bit of prevention goes a long way. Strong primary care relationships with cultural competency as their foundation can lower costs, streamline care, and improve outcomes population-wide. Zócalo’s promotores lead teams that integrate health in a way that our current fragmented system doesn’t.

And most importantly, these promotores have deep roots in the communities they’re serving. They speak their languages and share common life experiences and values. We believe more health care professionals should look like the people they serve, and promotores are part of that solution.

Yes, innovation is crucial to transforming the way primary care operates and is invested in. But our Latino community also deserves care that respects and emphasizes heritage. Zócalo Health was founded on the belief that innovation and tradition can co-exist in primary care. To truly impact the health of Latino communities, we need to support our primary care heroes with a care model that offers a team of like-minded, relationship-focused providers to catalyze change.

For more news about how Zócalo Health’s services, now available in California, Texas, and Washington visit zocalo.health.  

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The events of the past weeks, months, and years have caused us all to pause and think about how we become the best version of ourselves to better help our families, our communities, and families across the country who need louder voices and allies. We are thinking harder about how we can be more inclusive, how we can be kinder, and how we can ask smarter questions to be better informed. We are pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone to be of more service to groups that have been marginalized. We are taking action to be more aware of cultural relevancy and preferences.  But what does this all really boil down if we haven’t done the work to define “culturally relevant”?

As we built the concept of Zócalo Health, we started with identifying a gap that existed in our healthcare system for culturally relevant care for the growing population of Latinos living in the United States. I knew this gap existed because I experienced it growing up in rural New Mexico where my grandparents (Mexican immigrants) rarely had access to doctors that spoke their language or took the time to listen and learn their story. I remember medical appointments where my family members feared being judged for bringing up home remedies they tried before getting into an appointment.

“Oh, you put Vicks on that rash thinking it would go away?”

And then the rest of the appointment was conducted in words and phrases that were carefully selected to not hint at the different lifestyle you lived at home. Growing up, this experience was normal and expected in healthcare, finance, education, and careers. It wasn’t until I started studying and working in healthcare that I realized what was normal was not helping my community: it was hurting them. 

There are over 62 million Latinos living in the United States today comprising the largest minority group in the country. Yet despite this growth, our healthcare system has failed to address the needs of this diverse population. We see healthcare providers translating content from English to Spanish in an attempt to engage and educate their Latino patients, yet they stop short of really making their Latino patients feel heard and involved in their own healthcare. 

Healthcare is personal, and people find themselves needing healthcare in their most vulnerable state. It’s time we stop expecting our patients to adapt to a one-size-fits-all care model. It’s time we build something that is culturally relevant and aligned with their way of life – so what does that mean?

It means building an experience that is non-judgmental, where patients are heard, their stories valued, and they have an active role in their health. It’s where the value of building a relationship between patient and provider is valued, and patients can express themselves freely, knowing their provider understands them. It’s an experience where you have a need for acute care, such as a sore throat, and leave with helpful information about herbal teas you can make at home to soothe your throat, the same teas your grandmother would have recommended. It’s a visit where the provider greets you in your language and remembers that you are a mom of small children during a pandemic and that the last thing you need is to be rushed through the few minutes you have to focus on yourself. 

At Zócalo Health we are building an experience for our community to be seen, heard, and valued. We are taking it back to the basics on how to build a relationship with a care team that looks like you and comes from your community. We bring with us decades of experience using technology and innovation to improve healthcare yet we understand that a new app or chat bot won’t fix the experience if we don’t acknowledge the culture and traditions that matter to our communities. We want to prove that tradition and innovation can and should co-exist. 

We are still early days at Zócalo Health and have so much to learn from our patient and provider community around cultural relevance.  For me, a culturally relevant healthcare experience feels like a visit to my grandmother’s house. Her memory and care will never fade for me because it was the one place I always felt seen, heard, and valued. She took in everyone, at any time, and cared for them. She fed them, listened to them, hugged them and then sent them home with a dozen homemade flour tortillas. I remember when I would drive home from college to see my family 4 hours away, and I would always stop at my grandmother’s house on my way out of town to say goodbye. She would be waiting outside on her patio for me and would have 3 burritos made and ready for me to eat on the road, and I would say, “Nani, I don’t need these.” She would just put them in my hands anyways, and say, “Mi hija, te quiero mucho.” She would send me on my way with a blessing, a hug, and enough food to feed me for a week. (Of course I needed the burritos!)

I want every patient that visits Zócalo Health to feel the way my Nani made me feel. Loved, listened to, and respected. I want every patient to know that their story is shaping the way we deliver care. We are here to listen. We are here to change. And we are here to strengthen the health of Latino communities so we can continue to be the voices and allies that this world needs right now.  

Like many first-generation Mexican Americans, I have a story that is filled with struggle, perseverance, and triumph. I was born and raised in southeast Houston to parents who worked multiple jobs in an effort to give their children a life in the United States filled with opportunity and experiences. My most vivid memories as a child were accompanying my parents to their jobs to help them either translate to their bosses or navigate confusing situations. For my siblings it was common and expected to help our family navigate the world in which they were trying to succeed. I never knew a life where people were not working from dawn until dusk and always finding ways to work a little harder and be a little better.  

As I grew older and started my education, I continued to be the navigator for my family.  I helped my dad navigate a Key map to help him find addresses to deliver suitcases left behind by travelers at Hobby airport. I would attend doctor appointments with my mom to translate symptoms and care plans. My aunts, uncles and my cousins would come to me with questions about finances and career opportunities. I quickly became the anchor that gave hope that, as a family, we could navigate this confusing world. 

This trust and confidence that my family held in me propelled me to take chances in my career. I navigated my way through jobs in healthcare and taught myself how the complicated healthcare system in the US worked. With my personal success, I found myself working for companies that were pushing the boundaries of innovation and implementing services that made healthcare convenient — but it was for a select few. 

With that convenience for a select few, I couldn’t stop seeing the disparity between that experience and my own childhood experience helping my family navigate the healthcare system. I remembered how distraught and frustrated they would feel that their voices and beliefs were never heard in the exam room. I remembered the countless stories my families and friends would tell me about their healthcare experience and how lost they felt trying to navigate where to get care and how to afford it: it was too complicated. As I reflected on their experience and what I was building, I felt like I had finally arrived at the opportunity to do something, at scale, for my family and my community.

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I created Zócalo Health. 

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Zócalo Health was founded on the belief that innovation and tradition can and must coexist. Latinos in America, over 62 million, are a unique community, connected through language, common experiences in this country, unique immigrant struggles and success stories. Despite the growth and vibrancy of this community, we lack a healthcare system that is designed around our stories and identity. When choosing the name for this company I envisioned an experience where people sat around the dinner table or town square sharing their healthcare struggles and successes and getting connected to the community or the “friend of a friend that is a doctor”. Zócalo, the common name of the main square in central Mexico City, aptly describes the community and experience I seek to deliver. 

Zócalo Health exists to strengthen the health and wellbeing of the Latino community by eliminating barriers to accessing healthcare services. We acknowledge that health outcomes in our community continue to worsen and that our community feels unheard and unseen. We are committed to changing that experience. 

While our stories and our pasts are unique, our immense desire to progress and achieve the American Dream unite us as one community. We have much to do to strengthen our community, to make health and wellness accessible not only in language but in culture, and to navigate this complicated world together.

The team at Zócalo Health is working hard to launch our experience to you later in 2022 but in the meantime, we want to hear from you, our community.

How has your past shaped who you are today?

How have you helped your own family navigate the US healthcare system?  

How do we work together to have a unified voice that advocates for culturally relevant physical and mental healthcare services? 

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I am eager to have this discussion with you.