In this inspiring and urgent episode of HIT Like a Girl, recorded at HLTH 2025, Joy Rios sits down with Dr. Jhaimy Fernandez and Dr. Yimdriuska (Gigi) Magan, the powerhouse founders of the nonprofit Alma First (https://www.almafirst.com/) .
They pull back the curtain on the silent crises in healthcare: the dangerous gap for Spanish-speaking patients, the systemic barriers for Latino students, and the chilling reality for patients facing immigration threats.
This isn't just a conversation about mentorship; it's a blueprint for building a more equitable and culturally competent, and safe healthcare system from the ground up.
Drs. Fernandez and Magan reveal:
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When the Clinic is No Longer a Sanctuary: The emergency protocols they've enacted to protect patients during ICE raids.
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The Digital Divide is a Care Divide: Why translating an app isn't enough and the critical need for "digital navigators."
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Telehealth as a Shield: How digital access becomes a lifeline when patients are too afraid to visit a clinic.
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The Alma First Model: Training Latino pre-health students in digital health literacy to bridge the gap between their communities and the healthcare system.
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AI's Invisible Bias: The urgent need for diverse clinicians to help build unbiased AI models and prevent perpetuating healthcare disparities.
This conversation is a powerful antidote to healthcare despair and a living example of how to code compassion directly into the future of medicine.
Listen now to meet the leaders who are not just dreaming of a more inclusive future—they are building it, one student at a time.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 | The Alma First Mission
02:30 | Personal Journeys
05:39 | Student Success Stories
08:34 | Digital Navigators
11:25 | AI, Bias, and Diverse Clinicians
14:05 | Protecting Patients
17:03 | The Future of Alma First
👉 Learn, Partner, and Donate:
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Visit their website: Alma First (https://www.almafirst.com/)
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Follow Dr. Fernandez’ journey on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jhaimyfernandez/) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhaimy-fernandez/)
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Follow Dr. Magan’s journey on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ymaganmd/) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yimdriuskamagan/)
🎧 This episode was recorded at the HLTH 2025. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities (https://hitlikeagirlpod.com/sponsors) .
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