Celebrating Cinthia Saenz: A leader, advocate and bridge to better health

On Oct. 9, our community will have the opportunity to celebrate one of Gunnison Valley’s most remarkable leaders when Cinthia Saenz receives the Colorado Health Foundation’s 2026 Dr. Virgilio Licona Community Health Leadership Award.

For those of us fortunate enough to work alongside Cinthia, this recognition feels especially meaningful. It honors not only what she has accomplished, but also the compassion, courage and authenticity she brings to her work every day.

Cinthia came to Gunnison from Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, more than 22 years ago. She raised her three children here and, over the past 15 years, has become a respected leader and advocate for immigrant families throughout our valley. In 2024, the City of Gunnison recognized her extraordinary contributions by proclaiming February 27 as Cinthia Saenz Day.

At Gunnison Valley Health, Cinthia has helped transform how we think about access to healthcare.

Before joining our team, Cinthia knew GVH from a very different perspective—as a patient and as a member of our Patient and Family Advisory Council. She understood firsthand how intimidating and confusing healthcare can be, particularly for patients navigating language, cultural or financial barriers. Today, as our lead Bilingual Patient Navigator and a certified medical interpreter, she uses those experiences to help ensure that every patient has an opportunity to be heard, understood and cared for with dignity.

Cinthia primarily serves Spanish-speaking and Cora Indigenous patients and families, many of whom face significant barriers to care. She helps patients schedule appointments, navigate insurance and emergency Medicaid, understand diagnoses and treatment plans, access financial and community resources, and successfully move through what can be an incredibly complex healthcare system.

The results have been remarkable. Through Cinthia’s leadership and the growth of our bilingual patient navigation program, we have seen a 150% increase over two years in immigrant patients accessing services across our health system. Patients who may once have delayed or avoided healthcare are now accessing primary care, specialty services, behavioral health and emergency care.

But numbers tell only part of Cinthia’s story.

What makes her so effective is trust.

Cinthia has an extraordinary ability to build relationships across cultures and communities. She meets people where they are, listens to what they need and then works tirelessly to find solutions. At the same time, she challenges those of us within healthcare to listen differently, question our assumptions and better understand the experiences of the people we serve.

Her influence has extended well beyond patient navigation. Cinthia has helped shape Gunnison Valley Health’s broader health equity efforts, contributing to our Health Equity Plan, staff education around cultural humility and organizational practices designed to create a more inclusive and patient-centered healthcare experience.

Her impact extends equally far beyond the walls of GVH.

Cinthia is one of the founders of Juntos por Gunnison, a grassroots organization that creates opportunities for immigrant families to gather, learn, celebrate their cultures and connect with resources. Through women’s gatherings, men’s and teen groups, cultural celebrations and educational events, Juntos has created a sense of connection and belonging while strengthening relationships throughout our community.

She has also worked to build bridges among healthcare, local government, law enforcement, schools and community organizations. And when difficult conversations need to happen, Cinthia is willing to have them. She brings forward perspectives that might otherwise go unheard and reminds all of us that meaningful community health begins with listening to the people most affected by the decisions we make.

One of the accomplishments I find particularly inspiring is Cinthia’s work to initiate a Certified Peer Support Specialist program for Spanish speakers. That effort resulted in 28 newly trained peers who are now providing culturally relevant support within the community—dramatically extending the reach of this work beyond any one individual or organization.

On a personal level, it is truly an honor to work with Cinthia.

She has become an invaluable asset to Gunnison Valley Health, but more importantly, she has become a trusted colleague, teacher and partner. She continually reminds us that health equity is not simply a program or an initiative. It is about relationships. It is about removing barriers. It is about making sure people feel safe asking for help. And it is about ensuring that every person who walks through our doors knows they belong here.

Cinthia has changed Gunnison Valley Health for the better. She has changed our community for the better. And she has challenged all of us who work alongside her to be better.

The Dr. Virgilio Licona Community Health Leadership Award is a wonderful recognition of what so many of us in the Gunnison Valley already know: Cinthia Saenz is an extraordinary community health leader whose impact will be felt for generations.