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To the incredible team at CHWCMR
Your dedication to improving the health and well-being of migrant and refugee communities is truly inspiring. The compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment you bring to your work make a profound difference in the lives of so many. Remember that every act of kindness, every effort to support and uplift others, and every challenge you overcome is a testament to your strength and humanity.
" Dr. Ponce-Gonzalez."

Our Story
The founder of the Community Health Worker Coalition for Migrants and Refugees (CHWCMR) is Dr. Ileana María Ponce-Gonzalez, MD, MPH. She is also the Executive Director of the organization.
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CHWCMR was funded in 2014 and become a 501c3 WA statewide organization in Nov. 2018.Dr. Ponce-Gonzalez has extensive experience in public health administration and has worked with diverse communities in Nicaragua, Chile, Mexico, and the United States.
Dr. Ponce-Gonzales earned her Medical Doctor degree from the National University of Nicaragua and specialized in Medical Genetics at the University of Santiago de Chile, where she also practiced clinical medicine. Her career includes clinical exchanges in various Latin American countries and participation in significant research projects in Mexico City. Dr. Ponce-Gonzales later obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, as well as a Certificate of Human Rights and Global Health. For over three decades, she held key roles in the U.S. Federal Government, contributing to agencies such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Dr. Ileana Ponce-Gonzales is a beacon of hope and change, committed to health equity and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable.


Meet The Team
Our team is the heart of our organization, driven by a mission to improve the health and well-being of migrants and refugees through innovative programs and unwavering dedication.
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