ORLHC.ORG - Key Persons
As a Chicana born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon, Andrea has worked to weave advocacy, belonging, and community building everywhere she goes. She has two Bachelor's degrees, one in Cultural Anthropology and the other General Social Science from the University of Oregon. When she wasn't in class, she was engaged in student-led organizations like MEChA de UO and the ASUO student senate body working to increase representation, retention of, and resources for Latine and students of Color on campus.
Andrea then went into Foreign Policy education and Citizen Diplomacy where she had the opportunity to connect leaders from around the world to leaders here at home through U.S. Department of State sponsored International Exchange Programs. Andrea witnessed first-hand the grassroots, community-led, and advocacy centered efforts from across Oregon as well as the strength that comes from bridging international and cross-cultural perspectives in navigating challenges both here and abroad.
Outside of work, spending time with family and friends is a huge priority. You might find her in a local cafe reading a book or crocheting, she might be at 53rd playing tennis with friends or roller skating, or she'll be hosting a game night with her family.
Job Titles:
- Family Medicine Doctor and Assistant Professor
Dr. Mizushima is a first-generation college graduate who is proud of her multicultural upbringing and her Jarocha roots (her mother is native to Veracruz, México). She earned her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed Family Medicine residency at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). After completing residency, she practiced full spectrum family medicine, which included delivering babies and providing holistic care for Spanish speaking families.
Dr. Mizushima's dedication to the community spans decades and includes work as a San Francisco "Health Care for the Homeless" community health outreach worker and more recently includes her advocacy focused on access issues Latinx students experience when trying to address basic physical and mental health care needs.
She recently completed Latino Network's Unido@s leadership program and in 2025 she was honored to be selected for additional health equity leadership training and support for further project development through OHA's DELTA program.
Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting with spices in the kitchen, music (mariachi and son Jarocho), finding humor wherever she can, and spending time with loved ones.
Claudia Ramirez Cisneros was born in Colima Mexico, and has lived in Oregon since 1998. Claudia is passionate about social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. She has an impressive background in supporting schools and non-profit organizations with communication initiatives, outreach, and developing collaborations. Claudia has been a coordinator of youth and family programs and has experience creating events for leadership development with culturally specific groups.
Claudia also has a great passion for service, which has led her to volunteer with different organizations, including programa Hispano, Northwest Family Services, The Mt. Hood Community College Transiciones program, and Multnomah County Library.
Currently, Claudia is a member/volunteer of the Líderes Naturales group in the city of Wood Village, where she is making a significant impact in the community while continuing to grow her leadership skills. Claudia enjoys cultural connections with diverse and high-risk populations. Claudia enjoys reading, the outdoors, spending time with her loved ones, and spontaneous trips to create new adventures during her spare time.
Diana currently lives in Portland, OR, but is from Arequipa, Peru. She graduated in Administration, Business and Finance. While in Peru, she had the opportunity to teach high school in a state school and in a shelter for abandoned children. This was where her vocation to serve the community was born.
Since she came to live in the United States, she saw the great disparity in educational and health services that exist among racial minorities. These experiences created in her a great personal need to work for the community, support, and create the development of programs for women's cancer, children's education, and mental health education in the Oregon Latino community. In her free time, Diana enjoys spending time with her family and her pets, listening to baroque music, and organizing spaces. She is a firm believer that the value of our migrant community is her desire to excel.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center / Board Member
Fernando is from the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast. He was born in Coos Bay, OR, but was raised in Brookings, OR. Fernando holds a Bachelors in Business Administration focusing in Finance and Marketing. To add, he also holds a Master of Business Administration with focuses in Organizational Behavior and Leadership with a speciality in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Workplace. Fernando is an active servant leader, serving on a handful of nonprofit boards and Washington County Commissions. Fernando enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, traveling, and trying new things.
Flor Dominguez, is from Campeche Mexico, and has lived in the U.S. since 1996. Like many who came to this country, life at first was not easy to adapt to, but through programs that support the Latino community, Flor managed to go to school and graduate in the field of Computer Science in 2017. While she was working on achieving a high level of education, she was involved in helping different organizations and churches that support the Latino community with programs that helped to mitigate the challenges of a new system, culture, and language.
Currently, Flor is working with the program of Healthier Oregon, which helps the Latino community apply for medical insurance. Flor has also continued to be involved in Lideres Naturales, a group that works directly with the Latino community in Wood Village. In her free time, Flor enjoys being with her family, especially her 2 grandkids, traveling, and visiting different places that help her connect with nature.
Job Titles:
- Labor and Employment Attorney, Littler Mendelson, P.C. Board Member
Gilbert is from Southern California-born in L.A. County and raised in the High Desert of Southern California-he is a first-generation college and law school graduate. His parents and family immigrated from El Salvador during the Salvadoran civil war.
He received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy with an emphasis on Ethics and Public Policy from the University of California Santa Barbara, and received his law degree from University of Oregon School of Law. He was fortunate to work for judges during and after law school at the state trial and appellate courts and at the federal trial court, and currently, he is a labor and employment attorney at Littler Mendelson P.C..
He has served as an attorney-mentor to law students with similar backgrounds of his, and he currently serves on the board for the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association, where they aim, in part, to raise funds for and award grants to law students of diverse backgrounds as they prepare for the bar exam.
Outside of work, he enjoys playing music, learning new recipes, and learning to play golf.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate Dean of Research
Originally from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Hector holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering along with a Master's in Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. His professional experience spans both academia and community service, including his current role as Senior Associate Dean of Research at OHSU's School of Nursing. He has led initiatives to increase research infrastructure, support faculty development, and enhance health equity science.
Hector has a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for Latino communities, reflected in his community service supporting Environmental Justice Communities across the nation. He also serves as chair of the external advisory board for the Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine at the University of New Mexico, supporting research in environmental health. In his spare time, Hector enjoys learning about the evolutionary origins of human behavior, particularly how humans experience happiness and joy.
Jacqueline Baca grew up in Newberg, OR. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology from Gonzaga University. During college she was involved in a variety of social justice and community based work including Justice in January, the Walking School Bus, and the Wolff Fellowship. After graduating she moved back to Oregon and worked as a legal assistant for an immigration law firm providing legal support to the Latin/x/e community in the Portland metro area.
She is looking forward to continuing to support and advocate for the Latin/x/e community with OLHC. In her free time, she loves to go to the beach, dance, travel, and spend time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Medical Operations Department Administrator, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center / Board Member
Juan's family immigrated to Oregon in the early ‘90s, eventually settling in Hillsboro. He spent his childhood as an undocumented immigrant in the area until he enrolled at the University of Oregon. From there Juan went off to earn a master's degree in healthcare administration from the University of Washington. Juan currently works at Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, a local Federally Qualified Health Center, as a department administrator leading medical operations. One of the highlights of Juan's work includes being able to grow strong leaders, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Beyond his career in healthcare, Juan also serves on the board of directors of Project Access NOW! and the Domestic Violence Resource Center of Washington County. When not working to improve healthcare for the local community, Juan enjoys fishing, biking, and spending time with family, friends, and his dogs.
Laura grew up in Tigard, Oregon and completed her Bachelor's of Science in Human Physiology at the University of Oregon. While also minoring in Indigenous, Race and Ethnic Studies, Laura was extensively involved in various public health programs at UO including Protection Connection, the Duck Nest Wellness Center, and the University Health Services Student Greeter Program. Currently, Laura is pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Management and Policy at OHSU-PSU School of Public Health.
Laura is committed to eliminating health disparities, pursuing health equity, and increasing access to health services for the Latinx community. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, dancing to Latin music, and getting coffee with friends.
Melissa Belmontes grew up in Illinois and Wisconsin and moved to Oregon in 2020. She has extensive experience working in academia in the Midwest including assisting multicultural students jump start their college careers and also teaching college-level public speaking courses. More recently, Melissa helped provide supportive housing services in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas county.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys coddiwompling (yes, this is a real word), kayaking, eating new yummy foods, dancing, hiking, winning in competitive games, watching sports, and being outdoors.
Migdalia Castaneyra Cruz, is originally from Beaverton, Oregon, but born in the vibrant city of Oaxaca. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Public Health Studies with focus in Community Health Education and Sociology. She is a dedicated non-profit professional with over 5 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Her journey began as an intern in the education department at PPCW.
Throughout her career, she has passionately advocated for reproductive rights with PPAO, blending her advocacy with her proficiency in the Spanish language to bridge gaps in health justice. When she is not busy with her non-profit work, you can find her working out and honing her running skills. In fact, she achieved a personal milestone in 2023 by participating in Hood to Coast.
Migdalia, is a firm believer in the power of education, advocacy, and fitness to create positive change in the world. Join her on this journey of making a difference, one step at a time!
Olivia Quiroz, grew up in The Dalles, Oregon and was born in Mexico City. She is the Executive Director for the Oregon Latino Health Coalition (OLHC), a statewide organization dedicated to eliminating health disparities affecting Oregon Latinas and Latinos through collaboration, leadership and advocacy. Under Olivia's leadership OLHC passed historical legislation (House Bill 3352) to expand medicaid coverage to adults regardless of their immigration status. In addition Olivia, brings over 10 years of experience working to improve the health of marginalized communities by effectively working with community partners, and healthcare systems to address policy, and systems change strategies. Olivia, holds a B.S degree in Public Health from Oregon State University. In her spare time she enjoys biking, hiking with her dog Luna and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Director of Network Innovations - Product & Operations
Born and raised in southern California, Omar benefited from a family life steeped in tradition and culture by the proximity to Mexico and the family that remained there. Following college at the University of California, Berkeley, he returned to southern California where he started his career, marriage, and a family. Omar moved with his family to the Portland Metro in 2014 driven by opportunity for his family, much like the opportunity his parents saw in their own migration north to the United States. Upon moving to Oregon, Omar joined Cambia Health Solutions, where he currently serves as Director of Network Innovations. In this role, he aligns incentives between health plans and medical providers to reduce costs and enhance the quality of care. He is eager to contribute his expertise in strategic execution and healthcare leadership to advance the mission of the Oregon Latino Health Coalition.
Darilís García, Ph.D., hailing from Puerto Rico, is the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success & Engagement at Warner Pacific University and also serves as an adjunct faculty member in communication at the University of Arizona Global Campus. With 25 years of experience in higher education, she has expertise in student affairs, student services, enrollment management, and instruction. Dr. García is a board member of Good N The Hood and co-founded Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, Inc., a Latina-based sorority established at the University of Michigan. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography, and spending time with her daughter. Dr. García holds a Ph.D. in Educational Management in Higher Education from Hampton University, an MA in Communication from the University of Texas at El Paso, an MA in Counseling from Eastern Michigan University, and a BA in Communication from the University of Michigan.