[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 156 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING REYMUNDO ESPINOZA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2023

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the accomplishments of 
Mr. Reymundo Espinoza upon his retirement. He has worked to provide 
healthcare for those in need for 48 years throughout California and 
Arizona.
  Mr. Espinoza was raised in the small desert town of Coachella, 
California, where farming was the predominant industry. Upon graduation 
from Coachella Valley High School, he attended Stanford University and 
received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He received 
his Master of Public Health degree, specializing in Hospital 
Administration, from UC Berkeley in 1975.
  Since 1987, he has served as CEO of the Gardner Family Health 
Centers. For 37 years, his vision for health equity and his commitment 
to access for the most vulnerable and underserved in our community have 
yielded impressive results:
  Growing Gardner from a single clinic to thirteen sites (including two 
mobile units).
  Increasing patients served from 8,000 to nearly 45,000 while 
providing high quality comprehensive medical and behavioral healthcare 
including prevention and education, early intervention, treatment, and 
advocacy services.
  Participating in the Healthy Kids Initiative to ensure all children 
who are part of low-income households in our community could have 
access to a health coverage program.
  Being a Founder, Chairperson and Board Member of Community Health 
Partnership health centers, a consortium of community clinics that 
advocate for and create healthcare access to low-income populations in 
Santa Clara County.
  Co-Founding the California Primary Care Association to advocate for 
and create healthcare access to low-income populations in California.
  During the Pandemic, Gardner Family Health Centers held the first 
community large-scale COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinic in Santa 
Clara County. From April 2020 to June 2021, approximately 12,000 
individuals were tested, and 26,000 COVID-19 vaccinations were 
provided.
  He has received many awards and recognition for his leadership in 
healthcare. For example, in 2023 he was awarded the Silver Medal 
Jefferson Award for expanding quality affordable healthcare so the 
South Bay's underserved can live healthier lives. In 2023 he received 
the Latinx Business Leadership Award from the Silicon Valley Business 
Journal.
  His vision and legacy remain an inspiration and guiding light in 
these challenging but hopeful times. His expertise, good judgment, 
skillful leadership, and compassion have made him an outstanding member 
of our community. I consider him a valued colleague and friend and I 
join the community of Silicon Valley in honoring him and wishing him 
well in retirement.

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