The JUNTOS
Mission
The main goal is to develop a comprehensive sustainable program at University Kansas Medical Center, fully integrated with the Latino community in Kansas that will both improve the health of the community and advance the field of health services research.
How We Serve
The Latino Community
JUNTOS continually participates in health outreach activities in both the Kansas City Metropolitan area and Southwest, Kansas. We support community health fairs by providing basic health screenings including blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), exhaled carbon monoxide, and identifying areas of the face with overexposure from the sun’s UV rays with dermascan equipment. We also provide health education and information about resources.
Team
Team Members
JUNTOS Core Team
Mariana Ramírez, LMSW
Director
Ileana Cepeda, MPH
Research Associate
Lilli Saavedra, BHS
Research Assistant
Mónica Fracachán Cabrera
Research Assistant
Ruth Ramos, BHS
Community Health Worker
Alma Patricia Ojeda
Community Health Worker
Griselda Jimenez Muñoz
Community Health Worker
Student Interns
Laura Espinosa
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo
2020
Valeria Macias
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo
2020
Iván Rodríguez
Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
2019
Ruth Ramos
University of Missouri – Kansas City
2019
Brittany Gallardo
University of Missouri- Kansas City
2019
Cindy Shinkyeong Kim
Christianity Humanism Academia University
2019
JUNTOS Members and Collaborators

Jaime Perales Puchalt, PhD
KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center (KU ADC)

Juliana Teruel Camargo, PhD, MPH
Dietetics & Nutrition (UKMC)

Vicki Collie-Akers, PhD, MPH
Department of Population Health

Romina L. Barral, MD
Children’s Mercy Hospital

Erin Corriveau, MD, MPH
KU Family Medicine
Community Advisory Board Members
Ramona Farris
Public Relations and Comm.
Partner and Consultant
Carolina Urible
Health Care
Bilingual Therapist
Edgar Galicia
Community-Based Organization
Director of CABA
Elizabeth Lopez
Latino media (printed & online)
2+2KC Bilingual Newspaper
Tom Miras
Health Care / Community Health
Community Health Worker
Bryan Carcamo
Care Coordination
Community Health Worker
Community Work
Projects & Services
Taking Down Tobacco
Food Assistance
ADORE & ADORE Focus
View All Projects & Services

Latino Immigrant Accessing Healthcare in KC Report
Latino immigrants have many challenges in accessing healthcare, both nationally and in the Kansas City (Kansas and Missouri) area. Many struggle to acquire adequate insurance while others, because of their immigration status, have been excluded from any type of healthcare coverage, public or private. Latino immigrants have high poverty rates and experience health inequities that put them at higher risk of poor health outcomes. Although access to quality healthcare is recognized as an essential factor in health and well-being, communities often fail to ensure access to healthcare for all residents.
This report has four major sections: 1) how Latino immigrants see (perceive) their need for healthcare and the availability of healthcare in the area, 2) barriers Latino immigrants face to access healthcare, 3) bridges in the community that can assist Latino immigrants in overcoming barriers to healthcare access, and 4) recommendations for action. The focus of this report is on Latino immigrants living in Wyandotte County and Johnson County in Kansas, and those in Jackson County, Missouri.
Introducing The
JUNTOS Radio
Contact Us Today!
Location: 4125 Rainbow Blvd #100, Kansas City, KS 66160
Telephone: (913) 945-7871
Email: juntosks@gmail.com
Office Hours: M-F: 8am – 3pm
“En las clases de Prevención de Diabetes de JUNTOS yo aprendí a leer las etiquetas de los alimentos y a mejorar mis hábitos alimenticios. No se trata solamente de bajar de peso, sino de mejorar nuestro estilo de vida para siempre.”
“El cambio comienza por uno mismo, por lo que inicié el Programa de Prevención de Diabetes con JUNTOS. Este programa superó mis expectativas. Las personas que nos ayudaron fueron tan amables, tan profesionales y nos hacían sentir tan familiares que hicieron que este cambio de estilo de vida saludable sucediera de una manera muy natural. Les aconsejo que aprovechen el programa de JUNTOS para la prevención de la diabetes que su vida y su familia se lo va a agradecer.”