Impact Stories
For the Community, From the Community
Dr. Jonathan Guajardo, a Family Medicine Physician at AltaMed, splits his days between four clinics—three of which are embedded in public housing developments.
The AltaMed Family Medicine Residency Program is training the next generation of primary care physicians to make a positive impact on the health and prosperity of the communities we serve.
I grab my coffee and go for a walk. I grew up in a community like this one, and I know some people might not feel comfortable walking around here, but these neighborhoods are safe. As I walk, I see people. I wave and say, 'Good morning, buenos días.'”
Dr. Jonathan Guajardo
A First-Generation Journey to Care
The night before his first medical school exam, Jonathan Guajardo couldn't focus. His phone was buzzing with WhatsApp messages from his family hundreds of miles away in Baytown, Texas, in the direct path of Hurricane Harvey. By the next morning, the Guajardo family home had been destroyed by the storm.
Building Leaders in Family Medicine
In a state where Latinos make up nearly 40% of the population, only about 6% of physicians share that background—a gap that directly impacts health outcomes in underserved communities. Programs like The AltaMed Family Medicine Residency Program are helping close that gap.
We always say the physician is the voice for the patient, but what does that really mean? Are we considering their life at home? Their finances? At AltaMed, we do. That's why I stayed.”
Dr. Jonathan Guajardo
Trust, Care, and the Power of Five Simple Words
For Dr. Guajardo, every patient visit begins the same way: "How can I help you?" Those five words reflect a deeper philosophy that recognizes each person's lived experience and meets them with respect and care.
I'm not here to fix everything. I can't cure poverty or erase trauma. But I can listen. I can take them seriously. I can help them take the next step. That's what I'm here for.”
Dr. Jonathan Guajardo
Make a Difference