Who We Are

Unidas por Salud is a community–academic partnership made up of community members, students, and academics working together to advance health equity in underserved communities. Our collaborative is grounded in mutual respect, trust, and shared learning. We strive to co-create knowledge, expand resources, and strengthen local capacity so that communities can shape and sustain their own health and well-being.

Established by Women, for Community Wellness

Unidas por Salud was founded and continues to be led by women. We practice shared leadership and collective decision-making and our work is guided by community voices and priorities. Together, we bridge community wisdom and academic knowledge to create solutions that are community-driven and sustainable.

Our Mission

Our Vision

Unidas por Salud strengthens equitable collaboration among promotoras, students, healthcare systems, and community partners to co-create research that addresses the structural and social determinants of health, advancing health equity for Latinx and Indigenous Mexican communities.

Unidas por Salud envisions rural communities in which health equity is advanced through collaborative, participatory, and sustainable approaches. By integrating community knowledge, student leadership, and academic expertise, we co-develop interventions and strategies that are responsive to structural determinants of health, culturally anchored, and capable of fostering long-term wellness.

Conchita Servicios de la Comunidad

Our community investigator, Maria “Conchita” Pozar, founded Conchita Servicios de la Comunidad, which oversees our team of promotoras. Conchita Servicios de la Comunidad is women and minority-owned. This organization builds the capacity of Latinx and Indigenous Mexican women to engage in research, healthcare services, and public health outreach. Their mission is to empower indigenous and minority women to develop skills and the capacity to address the health needs of underserved and vulnerable immigrant communities through research, education, and service.

Meet the Team

  • Ann Cheney, PhD

    Principal Investigator | Director, HABLAMoS | Faculty Mentor, CVFC

  • Maria “Conchita” Pozar

    Community Investigator | Founder, Conchita Servicios de la Comunidad | Engagement Lead, CFVC