HealthCare UnTold

Our guest is Dr. Maria Lopez, who has taken a lead with El Colectivo del Rescate Cultural to continue the Procession for Dia De Los Muertos. For 45 years community members and El Colectivo del Rescate Cultural brings the community together through its annual Día de Los Muertos Procession, a powerful cultural tradition that honors the lives and memories of loved ones who have passed away. The procession transforms the San Francisco Mission District into a vibrant display of remembrance, featuring families carrying photographs, candles, flowers, and personal tributes while accompanied by music, dance, and artistic expressions rooted in Mexican and Indigenous traditions. This year they honor, Luis De La Garza, Alberto Rangel, Ricardo Pena and Juan Pablo Gutierrez who were Artists and leaders of the Procession before their passing.Come join and help create sacred space for collective healing and reflection in the Mission!7pm-Monday, November 2nd, 2026(22nd/Bryant)#DiaDeLosMuertos#ElColectivoDelRescateCultural#HonoringOurAncestors#CulturalHeritage#CommunityRemembrance

Paloma Chávez is the creator of Lo‑Terapia, a bilingual (English/Spanish) mental‑health board game designed to support healing and open conversation for Latinx communities. Inspired by the Loteria Board Game, Lo-Terapia educates users in important mental health concepts, and can be played with individuals, families and children. Lo‑Terapia offers a playful yet powerful way for families, youth, and clinicians to build confianza and talk about emotional well‑being. Her work brings cultura, language, and mental‑health tools together in a way that feels familiar and accessible. You can buy and or donate a Lo-Terapia Board Game at: [[email protected]]https://www.loterapia.com/ #Lo-Terapia #Paloma Chavez #FamiliaYBienestar #Board Game for Wellness ClinicianBoardGame

HealthCare UnTold is excited to release our new podcast episode today in collaboration with PODCASTHON.ORG — a global charity event mobilizing thousands of podcasts to support an incredible range of nonprofit organizations. For this year’s event, we are proud to uplift and support Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA) in Watsonville CA by highlighting the inspiring work of Luz Sotelo. Luz Sotelo is a dedicated youth advocate serving as Youth Program Manager at Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance in Watsonville.CA. These are challenging times for our communities and for the organizations that stand beside us. You can make a meaningful difference by supporting groups like PVPSA.org through your generous donations. Together, we help ensure that youth and families continue receiving the vital support they deserve. Please donate to: PVPSA.org #PVPSA.org #YouthEmpowerment #CommunityWellness #PreventionMatters #PodcastForGood

Our guest today is Pam Cusick Senior Vice President of Rare Patient Voice. Rare Patient Voice is a national community that connects patients and caregivers with researchers who genuinely want to learn from their lived experiences. Through this work, RPV ensures that people living with rare and chronic conditions have a direct voice in shaping studies, treatments, and health innovations. Their model is built on trust, respect, and fair compensation, creating a space where stories become data that can drive meaningful change. Pam Cusick is a leader in patient engagement with more than three decades of experience in research design, implementation, and advocacy. As Senior Vice President of Rare Patient Voice (RPV), she works to ensure that patient and caregiver experiences help shape the future of medical research. Beyond RPV, Pam contributes to the advancement of women in healthcare through her work with Women in Research (WIRe), the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA), and the International Society for Patient Engagement Professionals (ISPEP). She continues to mentor emerging leaders who share her dedication to connecting patient advocacy with meaningful scientific progress.

Our guest today is Mireya Gomez-Contreras, the Executive Director of Esperanza Community Farms. Mireya reflects on her personal journey, the leadership lessons learned from working alongside immigrant and Indigenous farmers, and the deep collaboration required to build sustainable food systems. She highlights the farm’s commitment to economic opportunity, climate‑resilient agriculture, and honoring the lived expertise of local families who have long nourished California’s fields.#FoodJustice#CommunityLeadership #EsperanzaCommunityFarms.org #MireyaGomezContreras #HealthCareUnTold

Our guest today is Hector L. Torres‑Diaz, the Civil Rights Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission. He is also a law student specializing in immigration law, public policy, community engagement, and the ongoing movement for Puerto Rico’s sovereignty. As a leader in public service, Hector is dedicated to being a bridge builder amongst multi-ethnic communities to strengthen and expand their access to community involvement.#HectorLTorresDiaz#CivilRightsAdvocate#PennsyvaniaHumanRightsCommission#CommunityEngagement#PublicServiceLeadership#LatinoLeadership#EquityAndJustice

Our guest today is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council. The Hispanic Construction Council is a national dual nonprofit organization, classified as both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6), that addresses critical gaps in the construction industry. As a think tank, they utilize their board members and media presence to raise awareness and provide solutions for significant economic challenges and opportunities affecting the construction industry and its workers.#GeorgeCarillo#HispanicConstructionCouncil,com#Latino Construction LeadershipProtect Construction Workers#LatinoBuilders#HealthCareUnTold

Our guest today is Jill Mather the Founder of Volunteers Cleaning Communities. This grassroots movement is transforming Southern California’s streets one cleanup at a time. Jill shares how her passion for environmental stewardship evolved into a thriving volunteer network that removes thousands of pounds of litter annually—without government funding. From organizing neighborhood cleanups to empowering youth and seniors alike, Jill’s story is a testament to the power of civic action and community pride. Tune in to hear how small acts of care can ripple into lasting change.#VolunteersCleaningCommunities#LitterFreeLA#CleanUpCrew#CommunityPower#EnvironmentalJustice#EcoActivism#GrassrootsMovement#UrbanSustainability

Our guest today is Sehila Mota Casper, Executive Director of the Latinos In Heritage Conservation. With deep roots in historic preservation and community advocacy, Sehila shares her inspiring journey from grassroots organizing to leading a national movement that centers Latinx stories, sites, and cultural memory.Under her leadership, the Conservancy recently unveiled the first-ever national list of Endangered Latinx Landmarks—a groundbreaking initiative that shines a spotlight on 13 culturally significant sites across the U.S. and Puerto Rico that are under threat from gentrification, neglect, demolition, and climate change. This campaign marks a pivotal moment in cultural preservation, and Sehila’s voice and the work of her small but mighty team is front and center in amplifying these stories and mobilizing communities to protect them.Explore the full list and learn more about the initiative on Latinos in Heritage Conservation’s official website: https://www.latinoheritage.us#LatinosInHeritageConservation#LatinxHeritageMatters#EndangeredLatinxLandmarks#PreserveOurStories#HealthCareUnToldPodcast

Our guest today is Dr. Gena Castro Rodriguez, a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, and nationally recognized thought leader with over three decades of experience in mental health, trauma-informed care, and community wellness. Based in San Francisco, Dr. Castro Rodriguez has spent her career expanding access to culturally responsive services and building resilience in underserved communities.Her leadership spans roles such as Executive Director of the National Alliance for Trauma Recovery Centers at UCSF, Chief of Victim Services for the SF District Attorney’s Office, and Co-Founder of the Youth Justice Institute. Today, she continues her mission as an Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco, where she helps shape the next generation of counselors and advances the work of the Center for Community Counseling and Wellness.Dr. Castro Rodriguez shares insights on the trauma facing our immigrant communities, trauma recovery, restorative justice, and the intersection of mental health and social justice—offering a powerful vision for healing that centers on equity, dignity, and community voice.#Drgenacastrorodriguez#Genacastrorodriguez.com#TraumaInformedCare#MentalHealthEquity#RestorativeJustice#CommunityHealing#CulturallyResponsive#Mentalhealthfirstaid