Celebrating Dr. Maria Hernandez: A Trailblazer in Health Equity

June 24, 2024

Silicon Valley Latino is thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Maria Hernandez, a distinguished thought leader in health equity and a revered member of our SVL Advisory Board. Dr. Hernandez’s remarkable contributions to addressing systemic health inequities have not only transformed communities but have also earned her widespread recognition and respect.

As President of Impact4Health, Dr. Hernandez has been at the forefront of initiatives designed to tackle the upstream social determinants of health among vulnerable populations. One of her pioneering efforts includes leading the Alameda County Pay for Success Asthma Initiative. This groundbreaking project demonstrated the feasibility of reducing pediatric asthma emergencies through health education and home-based environmental interventions, showcasing her innovative approach to public health.

Dr. Hernandez’s expertise and success in Pay for Success Initiatives earned her an invitation to the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Engagement, where she contributed to discussions on expanding these impactful programs. Her leadership at Impact4Health exemplifies a commitment to designing and implementing strategies that address systemic health inequities, benefiting countless individuals and communities.

Before her tenure at Impact4Health, Dr. Hernandez consulted with Fortune 100 corporations, major foundations, public agencies, and elected officials, leading diversity and inclusion initiatives and executive education programs. Her creation of the InclusionSCORECARD™ for Population Health is a testament to her dedication to helping hospital systems and public health agencies meet the needs of increasingly diverse patient populations.

Dr. Hernandez’s academic achievements are equally impressive. She holds a doctorate in community psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and has been recognized as an American Psychological Association Minority Fellow and Danforth Fellow. Her leadership extended to serving two terms as a Board of Trustee for the Alameda Health System and as a Board Director for the AAA Mountain West Group.

A first-generation Latina, Dr. Hernandez’s personal journey is as inspiring as her professional one. Fluent in Spanish and deeply committed to empowering the next generation of Latina executives, she co-founded LatinaVIDA, a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational forums for career-minded Latinas across the nation.

In her current role as a Health Equity Transformation Partner for the American Hospital Association, Dr. Hernandez continues to collaborate with healthcare leaders to identify health inequities and design strategic solutions. Her expertise in population health, program design, and cross-cultural effectiveness training is invaluable to organizations striving to meet new regulatory requirements and enhance their health equity initiatives.

We at SVL are immensely proud to have Dr. Maria Hernandez as a member of our Advisory Board. Her unwavering dedication to health equity, diversity, and inclusion aligns perfectly with our mission and values. Congratulations, Dr. Hernandez, on your exceptional accomplishments and for being an inspiring leader in the fight for health equity.

Join us in congratulating her for being recognized as Maestro of Community Service by Latino Leaders Magazine!