

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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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.
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.
America Bracho, MPH, CDE
CEO
Caleb Arias
Director of Health Programs
Patricia Cantero, Ph.D.
Director of Evaluation
Hiromi Minakata Children & Youth Initiative Program Coordinator
Ana Carricchi
Director of Policy
Rubi Gonzalez Asegúrame Program Coordinator
Ginger Hahn, MPH
Consultant
Cristina Jose Kampfner, Ph.D.
Consultant
Francisca Leal Healthy Weight Program Coordinator
Tish Leon Executive Assistant & Facilities Manager
Claudia Maldonado
Accounting Manager
Patricia Paez, MS Director of Older Adults & Women's Health Programs
Mayra Resto FAST Program Coordinator
Our staff consists of 57 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.
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
Wachovia
America Bracho, MPH, CDE; CEO
Latino Health Access
Lea Claveran
Univision and Corporate Spalife
Modesto Diaz, Esq.
Leviton, Diaz & Ginocchio, Inc.
Rita Cruz Gallegos Health Net
Garrett Kop; Treasurer
Community Leader
Alberto Manetta, MD; Chair
University of California, Irvine
Maria Minon, MD Children's Hospital Orange County
Sr. Teresa Dolores Montañez
St. Jude Health System
Azhar Qureshi, MD, MPH, MBA, DrPH St. Joseph Health System
Catalina Santamaria Community Leader
Lola Romero Seymour Community Leader
Barbara Shipnuck Kaiser Permanente
Lilia Tanakeyowma, MS; Secretary
Santa Ana College
Nic Villarreal Taléo Mexican Grill
Kevin Wijaywickrama Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Latino Health Access Profile - Marguerite Casey Foundation
'Diabetes Care, separate disease from person' America Bracho
Life & Times KCET interview with America Bracho
An institute of community participation by America Bracho
KCET Interview with America Bracho, MPH, CDE
among many others...