Happy 2026! We hope this new year brings health, prosperity, and joy to our community and partners. As we step into 2026, we’re reflecting on a year of meaningful change and growth at Illinois Unidos—both in the work we do and in the people who make it possible.
This past year marked an exciting new chapter for our organization. We proudly welcomed Dr. Geraldine Luna as our new Co-Executive Director, strengthening our leadership and deepening our commitment to health equity across Illinois. Alongside this leadership transition, we also expanded our frontline team to better serve families navigating an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.
Our Health Navigators play a vital role in supporting Illinois Unidos’ community-based work. Working alongside our Community Health Workers, they help families enroll in health coverage, access care, and receive trusted, culturally responsive information. This year, Stephanie Acosta and David Cruz joined Iris on the frontlines of enrollment, outreach, and community education—strengthening our ability to reach and support families across Chicago and beyond.
David Cruz is a double major at the University of Illinois Chicago, studying Public Health and Sociology. He brings a deep commitment to advancing health equity and improving health literacy within Latino communities, with a strong focus on education and advocacy.
Stephanie Acosta is a state-certified Health Navigator with five years of experience in the medical field as a medical assistant. She recently transitioned into community-based navigation to more directly support Latinx communities in Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods.
We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie and David to the Illinois Unidos family as we continue to grow our team, strengthen our frontline services, and expand our impact across Chicago and the state.
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