Greetings!
On April 1, 2024, Urban Health Plan proudly celebrated 50 years of providing high-quality, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care to generations of families and individuals. Our journey began in 1974 when we evolved from a small group practice into an expanded primary care site committed to serving the healthcare needs of our cherished South Bronx community.
Today, we are one of the largest community health systems in New York State, comprised of 12 Federally Qualified Community Health Centers, 12 School-based Health Centers, two mental health care sites, and dozens of health and social programs across the Bronx, Central Harlem, and Corona, Queens. In 2023, our nearly 90,000 patients made close to 470,000 visits —a record in our long history!
I am humbled to carry on the incredible legacy of our founder and my father, Dr. Richard “Doc” Izquierdo—a passionate Bronx physician with big dreams and a clear vision: to deliver the highest standard of care with respect and compassion to those who have been historically marginalized—free of bias and always with excellence.
My father’s legacy is evident in our nearly 1,000 dedicated associates, who reflect our communities’ rich diversity and embody the values of health equity, service, and fairness. We truly love what we do and are honored to provide healthcare and social services that welcome everyone. At Urban Health Plan, we see each patient through a human lens, offering services designed to meet community needs, address social drivers of health, and help each patient live a healthier life.
As we advance our holistic care model, we continue to embrace innovation and incorporate new technologies that help improve our systems and patient health outcomes. In 2025, Urban Health Plan will open a newly constructed, 52,000-square-foot state-of-the-art healthcare facility at 1095 Southern Boulevard, increasing access to top-quality primary care and specialized medical services and bringing economic development and environmental health benefits to our community. In addition, through new construction, we are expanding pediatric and women’s health care services to our neighbors in Corona, Queens.
Meeting the needs of our communities is paramount, which is why we are committed to ensuring future generations continue to have access to healthcare that is delivered by professionals who truly understand them. Through our residency, education, and training programs, we’re nurturing the next generation of compassionate, culturally responsive providers and public health professionals who will continue caring for our communities. This is what true healthcare access means—especially in historically underserved areas.
I am incredibly proud to lead this phenomenal organization. This is indeed a year of celebration. Still, along with appreciating and marking our successes, we are just as committed to addressing and overcoming our challenges and championing our vision for the future. This is what every patient deserves.
As my father would say, “The best is yet to come.”
With gratitude,
Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez,
Urban Health Plan, President, and Chief Executive Officer
National Association of Community Health Centers, Board Chairperson
