About Us

Latino Health Access (LHA) is an award winning, non-profit, 501c3 organization that was established in 1993. The center was created to assist with the multiple health needs of Latinos in Orange County . Latino Health Access uses participatory approaches to community health education. Latino Health Access trains community health workers to be leaders of wellness and change.

America Bracho founded Latino Health Access with the vision to promote healthy living and disease prevention. America Bracho previously served as the Director for the AIDS projects for Latino Family Services in Detroit , Michigan . She has been a trainer, presenter, and consultant for numerous government and private agencies including: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Council of La Raza, The University of Michigan, UCLA, John Hopkins University , and the National Conference of Community Outreach Workers. America Bracho is a physician in Venezuela . She obtained a Master's Degree in Public Health at the University of Michigan with a specialty in Health Education and Health Behavior. She is also a Certified Diabetes Educator.

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Promotores

All of the Latino Health Access programs rely on the Promotores model for their fresh, effective, in-culture and practical approach. Promotores de Salud are highly trained community health workers. They are recruited and hired from the communities where they live. They are educators and role models, who are highly skilled at leading their peers toward wellness. Latino Health Access has been on the cutting edge of the Promotores movement for the past ten years. LHA assists other groups across the nation develop Promotores’ programs by offering a two-day, Basic Promotor Training.

Community Involvement

Latino Health Access programs arise from the community. With so many Promotores conducting outreach and education in neighborhoods, we are abreast of emerging needs, often before they are more widely known. We have developed nearly all of our programs following repeated requests from community members. Inclusion and true community partnerships are cornerstones of our work. For that reason, we see not only needs but tremendous assets in every program participant, which we mobilize and harness for the benefit of the community.

Team of Operations

America Bracho, MPH, CDE
CEO

Patricia Cantero, Ph.D.
Director of Evaluation

Ana Carricchi Director of Policy

Alejandro Espinoza Chronic Diseases Program Coordinator

Hiromi Minakata Children & Youth Initiative Program Coordinator

Rubi Gonzalez Asegúrame Program Coordinator

Ginger Hahn, MPH
Grants Consultant

Cristina Jose Kampfner, Ph.D.
Mental Health Consultant

Francisca Leal Healthy Weight Program Coordinator

Claudia Maldonado
Accounting Manager

Patricia Paez, MS Director of Older Adults & Women's Health Programs

Mayra Resto FAST Program Coordinator

Renee Reyes Grants and Contracts Coordinator

Sandra Viera Associate Director, Policy

Our staff consists of 56 employees. Including 28 Promotores, community health workers, who are hired from the communities where they live. They are our community experts. A technical team consisting of people with advanced degrees in public health, policy, education, psychology and other fields supports them who will guide you during your experience.

Board of Directors

A Board of Directors governs LHA. The Directors work in subcommittees to address finance, resource development, programmatic, and executive/administrative issues.

Robert Aviles; Vice Chair
US Bank

America Bracho, MPH, CDE; CEO
Latino Health Access

Lea Claveran
Univision

Modesto Diaz, Esq.
Leviton, Diaz & Ginocchio, Inc.

Rita Cruz Gallegos Community Member

Garrett Kop; Treasurer
Community Member

Alberto Manetta, MD; Chair
University of California Irvine

Maria Minon, MD Children's Hospital Orange County

Catalina Santamaria Community Member

Lola Romero Seymour Community Member

Cheryl A. Vargo Kaiser Permanente

Lilia Tanakeyowma, MS; Secretary
Santa Ana College