Breaking down barriers to care: Francisco Ramirez named one of Twin Cities Business's 2024 Notable Hispanic Leaders
Francisco Ramirez is a familiar face at the Consulate of Mexico. He also frequently appears on local Latino radio stations, on Univision, and on other media outlets. He speaks at Spanish-language masses, school parent groups, and various community organizations and events. Ramirez is on a mission to share knowledge about critical health issues like colon cancer prevention, heart health, and the importance of vaccinations.
Ramirez, Community Advancement education and outreach supervisor with M Health Fairview, is a dedicated advocate for healthcare access in the Latine community, has been honored as one of Twin Cities Business's 2024 Notable Hispanic Leaders for his efforts to engage and support groups facing historical barriers to healthcare.
In his role at M Health Fairview, Ramirez has fostered the trust of the communities he works with, building lasting relationships and focusing on the needs of the metro area Latine population. His initiatives include culturally tailored health education programs addressing critical health issues like colon cancer prevention, heart health, chronic disease, mental health, and the importance of vaccinations.
A graduate of the University of Guadalajara in Mexico, where he practiced medicine before immigrating to the United States in 2004, Ramirez moved to Minnesota with his family in 2012. He later earned his certification as a Community Health Worker.
In 2014, Ramirez launched the Colorectal Cancer Prevention Program at Fairview, responding to healthcare disparities within the Latine population. Recognizing the language and financial barriers to accessing healthcare — particularly for colorectal cancer, the second-most-diagnosed cancer among Latinos — he started a program offering free colonoscopies and health education for adults aged 45 to 75 who are uninsured or underinsured. To date, the program has performed 345 free procedures and provided preventive health resources to over 50,000 individuals.
Ramirez’s approach is personal; he meets with each participant before screenings to discuss medications, clarify the process, and answer any questions. He is available around the clock to support patients leading up to their procedures. His leadership has had an impact. Nearly half of the program's participants have had polyps detected and removed during their screenings—an intervention that has the potential to save lives.
“Prevention is key,” said Ramirez, “Education is a great need and it’s crucial for building healthier communities. Our team goes to different places during the week and over the weekend, working and building trust with our communities. Then we keep educating the community where they are, where they feel safe, but not only once a year, we do it continuously. This work has to be consistent to see positive outcomes.”
In addition to his work in Community Advancement, Ramirez is a core member of the Comunidades Latinas for Engagement Advancement and Development Employee Resource Group, further exemplifying his dedication to advancing healthcare equity.
This recognition for Ramirez demonstrates the importance of community-focused healthcare advocacy and the critical role of cultural understanding in improving health outcomes for underserved populations.
