Awards & Recognitions

Patty Molina, Award Winner!

Patty Molina, Senior Director of Community Health Services received Outstanding Achievement in Rural Women’s Health Award at the 2024 Rural Women’s Health Symposium.

Guadalupe “Bebe” Ramirez- Hot Shot Andie Denious Award Winner!

Guadalupe “Bebe” Ramirez received the 2024 Hot Shot Andie Denious Award by the Arizona Partnership for Immunization. This award recognizes Arizonans who truly go above and beyond in immunizations rates the state.

Dr. Mary Garcia-Kumirov – Arizona Alliance Community Health Centers 2024 Preceptor of the Year

Dr. Garcia-Kumirov is an innate educator, providing inspiration, knowledge, and leadership to students across various facets of patient came. Embracing the MCHC culture of empathy and humility, she imparts these values to the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Tanya Henry – Arizona Alliance Community Health Centers 2023 Preceptor of the Year

Dr. Henry is an extraordinary role model and educator for residents and medical students. Dr. Henry abilities, and knowledge has a positive influence in shaping and preparing our future physicians.

Congratulations, Dr. Gonzalo Ibarra!!

Early Childhood Education Award of Excellence Recipient.

Cecilia Navarro – 2023 Invaluable Community Health Worker!

Congratulations to  Cecilia Navarro, named the 2023 Invaluable Community Health Worker during the 22nd Annual Invaluable Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, & Community Health Worker Seminar “Breaking Barriers: Increasing Access to Care” in Phoenix Arizona.

Cecy has been with Mariposa for 23 years working with Community Health Services and we are proud she is a part of the team! Her dedication, hard work, and commitment to our community and patients in truly INVALUABLE!

Sylvia Ochoa – Outstanding CHW Joel S. Meister Award Winner!

CHW Joel S Mister Award which recognizes the outstanding performance and qualifies of the CHW/CHR/Promotor. The awarded CHW is believed to excel in the expectations of what a CHW is and recognized as a leader and example to follow.

Sylvia Ochoa is the recipient of the 2023 Conchita Somoza Heart of the Community Award! Help me congratulate her for this recognition.

Congressman Raul Grijalva Award

Patty Molina received the 2023 Congressman Raul Grijalva’s Award for her efforts in servicing to better our community, and improve the lives of our citizens.

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of this. I was honored to receive this award.” – Patty Molina

Roxanna Flores, Outstanding CHW Joel S. Meister Award Winner!

Roxanna Flores, Promotora de Salud won the Outstanding CHW Joel S. Meister Award 2022. Roxanna began her work as a Promotora at Mariposa in 1999. We are very proud of her and the significance behind the history of Joel S. Meister to the Mariposa Community Health Services Department and CHWs everywhere! June 23, 2022.

Mariposa Community Health Center WIC awarded USDA’s WIC Breastfeeding Gold Award of Excellence

Mariposa Community Health Center WIC is this year’s recipient of the WIC Breastfeeding Gold Award of Excellence, awarded by USDA. Each year the Food and Nutrition Service, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children announces the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence program, formerly known as the Loving Support Award of Excellence. The award program was established to recognize local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities. The intent is to provide models and motivate other local agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support activities and ultimately increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among WIC participants. Mariposa’s WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Team is currently contacting about 750 clients per month.

Carmen Andrade – Invaluable Medical Assistant of the Year!

Carmen Andrade, named 2022 Invaluable Medical Assistant of the Year, at the Invaluable Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Community Health Worker Seminar on Saturday, October 22nd.

Mariposa named winner of 2020 BBB Torch Award for Business Ethics!

On Thursday, June 18th, Mariposa was named the winner in the non-profit sector of the 2020 Better Business Torch Award for Business Ethics. This year’s Better Business Bureau Torch Awards was presented in a virtual ceremony due to the pandemic. The Torch Awards honor organizations committed to the highest standards of ethics and trust when dealing with customers, employees and the community. Ed Sicurello, Mariposa CEO, said “Winning this award provides external recognition for the work we all do every day taking care of our patients and communities. It speaks to how well we demonstrate our cultural beliefs of Patient First, Maximize Outcomes and Show Empathy in everything we do. I appreciate the contributions all employees make to the work we do.”

2020 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Ethics Torch Award Finalist!

Mariposa Community Health Center is pleased to be one of three finalists for the 2020 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Ethics Torch Award! The BBB Torch Awards honor businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs committed to the highest standards of ethics and trust when dealing with customers, employees, and the community. Annually, the public may nominate a company that demonstrates ethical practices, promote a culture of ethics within their organization, are committed to the growth of staff members, and engage and improve the Southern Arizona community. These elements are vital to Mariposa’s ability to provide Santa Cruz County with the health care services they deserve! Mariposa is immensely grateful for this nomination and proud to be considered for this distinguished award!

Lupita Rodriguez, 2019 Invaluable Community Health Worker

Mariposa Community Health Services is thrilled to share that Lupita Rodriguez is the 2019 winner of the Invaluable Community Health Worker award. We are so pleased to have Lupita on our team and helping us serve our community with distinction! Congratulations Lupita!

2019 AzCHOW Outstanding CHW Organization Award

Mariposa Community Health Services Department was awarded the Outstanding CHW Organization Award by the Arizona Community Health Worker Association, AzCHOW. AzCHOW is a statewide organization of community-based advocates. AzCHOW provides an opportunity for Community Health Workers (CHWs) to speak with a collective voice, and has been advocating for the work of CHWs in Arizona since 2001.

Susan Kunz – Exceptional Rural Health Professional

Susan Kunz, Mariposa Community Health Center’s Chief of Program Development, was recognized as the 2018 Exceptional Rural Health Professional by the Arizona Rural Health Association on August 7 in Flagstaff. Public health colleagues nominated Susan for her career working in partnership with American Indian and Hispanic/Latino communities. Susan’s unique talent for designing programs, leveraging partnerships and sustaining systems was cited in her nomination, resulting in more than $50 million in competitive grant funding for community health programs and services over her career. Susan has been part of the Mariposa team for 11 years. “Susan’s unique ability to conceptualize new programs combined with her strong relationships both regionally and nationally has resulted in immeasurable benefits to Mariposa and the communities we serve. We are honored to have her as part of our team,” said Ed Sicurello, CEO of Mariposa Community Health Center.

Before joining Mariposa, Susan worked with the Tohono O’odham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tucson Indian Center, as well as in Santa Cruz, Yuma and Cochise Counties while directing the Border Health Foundation. Susan chairs both the Health Equity Council of the National Rural Health Association and the Arizona Rural Women’s Health Network. An Arizona native, Susan served in the Peace Corps in Colombia, South America and received her Master’s in Public Health degree from UC Berkeley. “It is an honor to be recognized for a career that has been so rewarding. I love what I do,” Kunz said.

Mariposa Community Health Center Receives Recognition as a “National Quality Leader”

Mariposa Community Health Center was recently named a “National Quality Leader” by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Community health centers that exceed national clinical quality benchmarks, like Healthy People 2020 goals, receive special designation as National Quality Leaders.

Of the nearly 1,400 Federally Qualified Community Health Centers nation-wide, 33 awards were given in 17 states and an additional 3 awards were given in the 8 US Territories. Mariposa was the only health center to receive this recognition in Arizona.

“Community health centers provide coordinated, comprehensive, and patient-centered care to millions of Americans,” said HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan. “They have a track record of delivering quality care at significantly lower cost, and are vital partners in our movement toward a health system that delivers quality, affordable, value-based health care for all Americans.”

“We are honored to receive this special recognition and very proud of the work we do to improve the overall health of our communities. Mariposa’s team of over 300 employees work tirelessly to exceed patient expectations and embrace all opportunities to improve health outcomes. We believe that quality, affordable health care is a right, not a privilege,” said Ed Sicurello, CEO of Mariposa Community Health Center.

Congratulations!! Mariposa Wins National Rural Health Association’s 2014 Outstanding Rural Health Program Award

The National Rural Health Association recognized Mariposa’s “Platicamos Salud” program for its innovative Community Health Worker initiatives, as well as its many partnerships with other organizations and the broad scope of work in the community to help improve the lives of community residents.

Susan Kunz receives national award

MCHC is proud to announce that the National Rural Health Association presented Susan Kunz, MCHC’s Director of Health and Wellness, with the first-ever Rosemary McKenzie Legacy Award during a recent meeting in Asheville, N.C.
Ms. Kunz was applauded by the NRHA for securing funds to improve rural health access for multiracial and multicultural populations, as well as her history of mobilizing partnerships to improve rural health care access.

Dr. Pereira named “Leader of the Year”

The Arizona Chapter of the American College of Physicians named Dr. Eladio Pereira its “Leader of the Year” during a ceremony on November 17, 2012. The award is presented annually to a physican in Arizona for excellence in the practice of internal medicine and the demontration of vision and leadership in the implementation of creative solutions to health care issues.

Dr. Pereira marks 25 years with Mariposa 

July 1, 2011 marked Dr. Pereira’s 25th anniversary at Mariposa. To recognize Dr. Pereira for his countless contributions to Mariposa, our patients and community, a reception was held in his honor. Mariposa’s Board of Directors, providers and leadership team gathered to honor “Dr. P” and express their collective appreciation for his dedication, leadership and service.

Dr. Pereira was the first physician recruited after Mariposa became a private non-profit corporation in 1985 and was the anchor and drive behind the Health Center’s growing adult medicine department.

Dr. Pereira’s leadership and respect in the medical community were well established when in 1998 he accepted the extremely challenging position of Chief of Medical Staff and Clinical Programs. Dr. Pereira has bridged the disciplines of clinical medicine and management and has been a critical member of the Leadership Team.

Mariposa receives prestigious annual Senator Andy Nichols MD Award

On Friday, May 27th, the Arizona-Mexico Commission presented Mariposa Community Health Center with the annual Senator Andy Nichols MD Award. This award is in recognition of Dr. Nichols’ contributions to improve the quality of life in the Arizona – Mexico border region.

Mariposa was recognized for our commitment to excellence in health care. Molly Anderson, MD, a Nichols family friend, received the award from Governor Brewer on behalf of Mariposa.

In receiving the award, Dr. Anderson commented, “Mariposa’s foundation is predicated on the conviction that health care is a basic right, not a privilege. Like Dr. Nichols, we also believe that creating a healthy community is not only heavily dependent on all of our neighbors having access to high quality medical and dental care, but it also involves forging community partnerships and developing innovative, community-based education and outreach services that target such things as chronic disease, fitness and nutrition, leadership and personal and community empowerment.”

Director of Platicamos Salud receives Best Practices Award

Ms. Susan Kunz, Director of Platicamos Salud, MCHC Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program and Vice Chair of the National Community Committee, was recently awarded The Community-Based Participatory Research Best Practices Award on behalf of the University of Arizona Prevention Research Center.

The Arizona Prevention Research Center was one of only eleven centers nationwide to receive the award this first year. Mariposa Community Health Center is a partner with the University of Arizona’s College of Public Health’s Prevention Research Center.

Award in recognition of domestic violence awareness

November 2010 – SEABHS, The Southeast Arizona Behavioral Health Services Free of Violence Program, presented an award to Platicamos Salud staff members, Mr. George de la Riva and Ms. Sandra Anguiano, in recognition of their many efforts to end domestic violence by raising awareness in Santa Cruz County.

Dr. Pereira earns 2010 Outstanding Preceptor of the Year Award

November 2010 – Mariposa Community Health Center’s Medical Director, Eladio Pereira, MD, MBA, FACP, received the prestigious Outstanding Preceptor of the Year Award.

Dr. Block wins 2010 Carondelet Network Mission Award

June 2010 – Dr. Joel Block, Family Practice physician at our Nogales center, was selected by Carondelet Health Network as the winner of the 2010 Carondelet Network Mission Award in the category of Physician Commitment.

Community Center of Excellence in Women’s Health

Mariposa Community Health Center was one of the first three organizations in the nation to be named by the federal Department of Health and Human Services as a Community Center of Excellence in Women’s Health (CCOE) The Mariposa CCOE facilitates women-focused care and educates patients and the community on women’s health issues. Leadership training and learning opportunities for women are also provided which empowers them to be proactive and informed with regard to health and well being.

Crystal Award Recipient

In April 2006, we were honored to be a recipient of the fourth annual Crystal Award presented by A.T. Still University of Health Sciences located in Phoenix, Arizona. The organizational award recognizes organizations that exhibit extraordinarily innovative and effective models of health care delivery.

Preceptor Site of the Year

In 2004, we were awarded the Preceptor Site of the Year for exemplary performance and support of the Arizona SEARCH program by the Arizona Association of Community Health Centers. SEARCH provides opportunities for health profession students and physician residents to serve in interdisciplinary primary health care teams at community health centers. The program encourages those same providers to work in underserved communities after completion of their training.

Border Model of Excellence

Our Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Department was also recognized as a “Border Model of Excellence” in 2003 by the U.S./Mexico Border Health Commission.

The Clinical Quality Award

In 2008 A.T. Still University School of Dentistry and Oral Health presented the Clinical Quality Award to the MCHC Dental Department.

Clinician of the Year Award

In 2007 Dr. John Betz, Dental Director, received the Clinician of the Year Award presented by the Western Clinician’s Network.