Kelvin O. Howell Jr.

Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Health Plan, one of the largest community health center networks in New York State. Under Paloma’s leadership, Urban Health Plan, which was established in 1974 by Paloma’s father, the late Dr. Richard Izquierdo, has expanded to a network of 12 health centers, 2 mental health facilities and 12 school-based health centers, serving approximately 84,000 patients throughout the Bronx, Northern Queens, and Central Harlem. Additionally, Urban Health Plan offers many grant-funded programs and WIC services throughout the communities it serves.

Paloma is a visionary and nationally recognized thought leader who has devoted her career to increasing access to high-quality, affordable health care and reducing the rates of health disparities in underserved communities. Her approach to realizing health equity has been to ensure and strengthen a social safety-net that addresses the social drivers of health in the minoritized communities Urban Health Plan serves.

In 2010, Urban Health Plan established the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, which has successfully created a pathway to both higher education achievement and healthcare careers for middle and high school students.

Since economic development is also key to reducing health disparities, in 2015 Paloma led the effort to bring on The Greater Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation as a wholly owned subsidiary of Urban Health Plan and serves as its community and economic development arm, focusing on local business, workforce development, sustainability, and transportation. 

Paloma’s ongoing commitment to patient-centered care and fostering teamwork has resulted in a culture of continuous quality improvement that has earned Urban Health Plan many recognitions through the years. In 2022, Urban Health Plan performed in the top quartile for 9 Universal Data Set (UDS) clinical measures earning it the distinction of being recognized as a high performing health center.

Paloma, who was raised in the Bronx, is a graduate of Boston College and holds an M.A. in speech pathology from Columbia University’s Teachers College, an M.P.H. from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Boston College, as well as an Honorary Doctoral from Metropolitan College of New York.

She sits on several boards and has served as the chairperson of the board of directors of the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS). In August of 2023 Paloma was elected to serve as the Board Chair of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).