[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 187 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         HONORING ERNESTO GOMEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 2023

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. Ernesto 
Gomez, who for the last fifty years has stewarded one of the premier 
health care organizations in Texas, CentroMed. Founded in 1973 as El 
Centro del Barrio, CentroMed began as a project on San Antonio's South 
and West sides to offer culturally competent mental health services to 
vulnerable members of the community. Since then, CentroMed has expanded 
the services it offers, providing much-needed medical care to tens of 
thousands of people every year.
  This growth would not have been possible without the efforts of Dr. 
Gomez, who has served as CentroMed's President and Chief Executive 
Officer since its inception. He has helped grow the organization from a 
single clinic to twenty-seven clinics and two fitness centers across 
Bexar and Comal counties.
  CentroMed has forged powerful partnerships, allowing it to serve even 
more of the South Texas community. CentroMed's collaboration with 
Methodist Healthcare Ministries allows it to provide services for low-
income, uninsured, and houseless populations. Through partnerships with 
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care, CentroMed has also expanded efforts to 
provide care for uninsured pregnant women and infants.
  Mr. Gomez has also made sure his efforts continue through the next 
generation of social workers, health care professionals, and activists. 
For the last thirty-seven years, Dr. Gomez has taught graduate-level 
courses at San Antonio's Our Lady of the Lake University, focusing on 
public policy, administration, and human behavior.
  The dedication that Dr. Gomez has demonstrated for the last fifty 
years has been an invaluable service to San Antonio. His efforts with 
CentroMed have improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to express my gratitude for Dr. Ernesto Gomez 
a man who has helped transform my city of San Antonio for the better.

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