Guadalupe Salgado is the Director of Care Coordination at PrimeCare Community Health Centers (Chicago, Illinois). A health center patient as a child, and a Certified Medical Assistant, she joined PrimeCare as a Medical Assistant in 2016, advancing to Assistant Practice Manager, and later to her present role overseeing referrals, care coordination, and case management services. She has built each of these departments from the ground up, creating patient-centered teams rooted in excellence.
Salgado’s childhood experience led her to pursue her career in community health
“Ever since I was little, actually, I knew I wanted to work in a health center. I grew up going to my neighborhood community center. That's where my family was seen. And ever since I was little, I really saw all the support that was given to patients, and that was really my drive to continue to do that as I got older.”
Salgado described the challenges of providing care and continuity in underserved communities, especially as patients lose coverage. Recently, PrimeCare’s uninsured and underinsured patients were facing particular challenges accessing mammograms in the community. PrimeCare partnered with the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program and thanks to the coordination provided by Salgado’s team more patients have been able access this essential service.
Her community-focused commitment extends beyond offering the highest quality care to supporting and developing colleagues and team members. In Salgado’s view, leadership entails advocating for her patients and staff, partnering with the community, and taking initiative. She shared that growing up, she saw few Hispanic women in leadership roles, and hopes her journey will inspire others, noting the difference one person can make.
“I know there's only one of me, but if I'm able to support various staff, various teams, that's hundreds of patients that we can help all together, versus it just being me helping one patient or one family at a time.”
Working in a community health center has given Salgado the opportunity to grow in her career and develop as a leader while supporting PrimeCare’s mission, promoting wellness and providing accessible, compassionate, and culturally respectful health care. Her advice to future health center leaders: speak up for yourself, for your patients and for the community.
This story was published in 2026.
