Zócalo Health is a Latino-founded virtual primary care provider delivering culturally-competent healthcare services to the Latino community. Founded in 2021 by Erik Cardenas and Mariza Hardin, the company addresses the significant healthcare disparities faced by over 62 million Latinos in the United States. With 1 in 3 Latinos uninsured and 50% more likely to experience delays accessing medical care compared to non-Hispanic whites, Zócalo Health was built to eliminate barriers to accessing healthcare services through a model that is by Latinos, for Latinos.
The company combines modern technology with cultural traditions to provide comprehensive care including virtual primary and urgent care, behavioral health services, and social support through community health workers known as promotoras de salud. Backed by $5 million in seed funding from healthcare and social impact investors, Zócalo Health now serves patients across California, Texas, Maryland, and Washington. Their care model integrates bilingual providers, mobile health apps for iOS and Android, and community-based engagement to deliver whole-person care that meets patients where they are - virtually, in their homes, and within their neighborhoods.