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A Letter from our Board Chair and CEO
Dear Friends,
The milagro heart is a symbol of the collective heart of our community – full of the intentions and miracles that make a difference in the health and well-being of our Borderplex residents. We are pleased to share our 2025 Annual Report – Corazón y Comunidad – honoring the culture of our community, heart of our people, and impact of our partnerships over the last year.
In 2025, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation awarded $14.9 million in grants and charitable expenses in our three priority areas – healthy living, disease prevention and management, and health leadership - bringing total grantmaking since inception to $282 million, and ending the year with $310 million in assets, up from $130 million since 1995.
We were proud to celebrate our 30th anniversary of transforming health in the region, marking this milestone with a brunch honoring our founding board members and past board chairs; local, state, and federal proclamations and resolutions; a ribbon-cutting for the new El Paso Center for Diabetes; a groundbreaking for the Texas Tech Health El Paso Fox Cancer Center; a 10-year anniversary celebration for Fundación Paso del Norte in Cd. Juárez; and a special dedication of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation Terrace at UTEP’s Health Sciences Building.
We were additionally proud to receive the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award and UTEP Presidential Gold Bar Award. Our board engaged in a dynamic strategic planning process for 2030, and it affirmed our commitment to our core values.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our board members, staff, community partners, and grantees for being such an important part of our Corazón y Comunidad – and our ongoing commitment to improve health and well-being in the Paso del Norte region. Your partnership drives our shared success, and we are grateful for your engagement and support.
Respectfully,
Amy Marcus Tracy J. Yellen
Board Chair CEO
Amy Marcus
Board Chair
Tracy J. Yellen
CEO
Grant Information & Highlights
In 2025, the Health Foundation invested $14.9 million in grants and charitable expenses, partnering with 130 grantees to improve health and quality of life. These efforts are a testament to the strength of our partnerships, designed to address critical health needs while building a foundation for a healthier future.
We are pleased to share Corazón y Comunidad 2025 in our three priority areas thanks to the collaboration of our grantees and community stakeholders:
Healthy Living
Disease Prevention and Management
Health Leadership
Healthy Living
To support efforts that promote positive behaviors to prevent disease, including healthy eating, physical activity, smoking/vaping prevention, and positive opportunities for youth.
In 2025, the Health Foundation invested $4.95 million to support 33 grants under the Healthy Living priority area.
Healthy Eating
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To make healthy eating a priority in our community by providing health education, policy and promotion.
Making Healthy Choices Through Platos Amigables
With support from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, Organización Popular Independiente A.C. (OPI) in Ciudad Juárez helped children and their families make healthier food choices through the Platos Amigables program.
As part of their childcare and after-school programming, OPI provided children with plant-based meals and snacks designed to be nutritious, affordable, and appealing. Each child on-site received three daily servings of fruits and vegetables in meals carefully reviewed by a nutritionist to meet essential dietary requirements.
Beyond meals, children engaged in hands-on activities that made healthy foods fun and approachable. These interactive sessions enabled them to explore fruits and vegetables through hands-on activities, such as touching, playing, and experimenting with them—empowering children to feel more comfortable and excited about selecting healthy options. Parents were also actively involved in the program. They had the opportunity to taste the same nutritious meals their children enjoyed at OPI and learned how to prepare easy, budget-friendly, and healthy meals at home. This collaborative effort between OPI and the Paso del Norte Health Foundation helped create
lasting habits that supported health and wellness for families in Ciudad Juárez.
HEALTHY LIVING
Physical Activity
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To make physical activity the easy choice for the residents of our region
through the promotion of exercise, outdoor activity, and trail and park development and use.
Connecting Communities, Expanding Access to Active Living
Whether walking, running, or cycling, there’s no better place to stay healthy and active than the Paso del Norte Trail. In 2025, significant progress was made to connect more segments to the 70-mile trail system—thanks to new investments and ongoing support from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation.
The Texas Transportation Commission approved more than $31 million for two new trail segments, strengthening active transportation options across El Paso County:
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City of El Paso Segment (2.16 miles): Extends the shared-use path along Magoffin Avenue to the El Paso Zoo, improving multimodal connections in Central El Paso.
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El Paso County Segment (5.8 miles): Links Socorro, San Elizario, and Clint, expanding access to recreation, heritage sites, and safe routes for walking and cycling in the Mission Valley.
With this investment, a total of $88 million has now been secured for the Paso del Norte Trail. Today, 21 miles are complete, and 31 additional miles are funded for design or construction—a major milestone in creating a continuous, county-wide trail.
Supported by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, the Paso del Norte Trail is a collaborative, community-driven initiative that showcases the region’s natural and cultural assets while promoting active living, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.
Together, we are making healthy living an easy and accessible choice for communities throughout our unique, binational region.
Smoke -Vape Free Paso del Norte
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To support coalition and media efforts to prevent and reduce the use of vaping devices through education and outreach to parents, teachers, and youth.
Teen Mock Bedroom Tobacco & Drug Prevention Trailer Debuts in Southern New Mexico
In 2025, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s Smoke-Free Initiative helped expand youth tobacco-use prevention efforts by supporting the launch of the Southern New Mexico Teen Mock Bedroom Tobacco and Drug Prevention Trailer. Developed in partnership with the New Mexico National Guard’s Drug Demand Reduction Outreach Team and funded jointly by the Health Foundation and the DEA’s Operation Engage, the trailer provides parents with a hands-on learning experience to recognize the hidden signs of vaping and substance use in a simulated teen bedroom.
The trailer debuted at the Chaparral Parent Prevention Expo, where families explored realistic displays and received practical guidance for talking with their children about tobacco, vaping, and other substances. This new resource enhances regional prevention strategies by increasing parental awareness, improving early detection, and promoting open family communication— key priorities of the Health Foundation’s work to reduce youth tobacco use.
To learn more about this debut, visit Teen Mock Bedroom Trailer Debuts at Chaparral Parent Prevention Expo - KVIA.
To explore additional programs and resources supported by the Smoke-Free Initiative, visit smokefreepdn.org.
Healthy Kids
To improve a range of health outcomes by engaging disconnected youth ages 5-17 in high-quality programs during out-of-school hours.
BOOST Network Celebrates 10 Years Connecting Youth to High Quality Programs
The BOOST (Borderland Out-of-School Time) Network was established in 2015 to offer support, collaboration, and resources to ensure that children and youth across the Paso del Norte region have access to safe, engaging, and high quality programs after school, on weekends, and during school breaks. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, the BOOST Network has grown from 15 Out-of-School Time (OST) providers and nonprofit organizations to over 100 organizations serving 36,000 children and youth throughout El Paso, southern New Mexico, and Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua. The Network further supports more than 400 afterschool professionals through training and capacity building programs.
Highlights of the year included the “Spring into Summer” and “Lights on Afterschool” campaigns – designed to promote after school and summer programs. Managed by the United Way of El Paso County, the BOOST Network represents the Health Foundation’s commitment to creating safe, enriching environments where young people can thrive beyond the classroom.
To learn more about the BOOST Network and how it supports youth development across the Paso del Norte region, visit www.theboostnetwork.org.
Disease Prevention and Management
To support and improve efforts to prevent and manage diabetes and mental illness across the region.
In 2025, the Health Foundation invested $3.04 million to support 47 grants under the Disease Prevention & Management priority area.
Diabetes
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To develop, lead, and fund organizational and systems improvements, evidence-based programs, and awareness activities for diabetes prevention, early detection, and management.
Advancing Diabetes Prevention, Education, and Care in Southern New Mexico
In 2025, the Southern New Mexico Diabetes Organization (SNMDO) hosted the inaugural Southern New Mexico Diabetes Alliance, convening 20 organizations committed to strengthening diabetes prevention, education, and care across the region. This landmark gathering fostered cross-sector collaboration and laid the foundation for a more coordinated response to the growing impact of diabetes in Southern New Mexico.
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation (PdNHF) played a key role in the convening by sharing its ongoing efforts focused on diabetes prevention, early detection, and effective disease management. With PdNHF’s support, participants engaged in a collaborative goal-setting process that identified two immediate priorities: enhancing the Southern New Mexico Alliance resource section on the Diabetes, Now What? website and planning a half-day regional diabetes conference in 2026.
SNMDO committed to coordinating these collective efforts in continued partnership with PdNHF. Together, they advanced a shared vision to engage both funded and non-funded partners, strengthen regional collaboration, and improve support for individuals and families affected by diabetes—helping build a more connected and effective system of care throughout Southern New Mexico.
Breaking Barriers in Diabetes Prevention
With support from the Health Foundation’s Disease Prevention and Management priority area, Amistad advanced diabetes prevention through its innovative Diabetes Awareness Prevention Team (ADAPT). As the first program in Texas designed to include people with disabilities fully, ADAPT removed barriers to participation and offered flexible online, in-person, and hybrid formats.
The program engaged 145 participants, providing quarterly incentives to maintain motivation and encourage healthy habits. Its inclusive approach also welcomed caregivers and family members, expanding reach and reinforcing a supportive environment for lifestyle change. Through its diverse client base, Amistad connected underserved populations with critical diabetes prevention resources, demonstrating the power of inclusive, community-centered health programs.
DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT
Asociacion Chihuahuense de Diabetes Akam Sura, A.C.
Prevención y concientización comunitaria en Ciudad Juárez
To provide diabetes education to 600 people in Ciudad Juárez, MX.
$13,261.14
Centro Caritativo para atencion de Enfermos de Sida A. C.
PLENA-MENTE
To promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and prevent burnout among 610 educational staff in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, through Psychological First Aid (PFA) training.
$35,997.02
Children's Grief Center of El Paso
Good Grief: Building a Grief-Informed Community through Grief Education & Training
To increase services for bereaved youth, increase healthy coping skills, build staff capacity for grief-responsive care, and create a training hub by training 20 peer facilitators and 120 youth-serving staff.
$48,918.52
El Paso Children's Hospital Foundation
T1D Early Impact Initiative
To advance early detection and intervention for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) by screening 50 children with first-degree relatives diagnosed with T1D for autoimmune disease in El Paso, TX.
$15,547.00
El Paso Diabetes Association
Diabetes Education, Early Detection, and Management
To provide diabetes education, incorporate medical advisory support, expand culinary education, and leverage upgraded data systems for improved health outcomes within the Paso del Norte Region.
$105,679.20
El Paso Diabetes Association
Gestational Diabetes Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Program
Gestational Diabetes Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Program
$25,000.00
Family Service of El Paso, Inc.
People Empower El Paso
To deliver National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) evidence-based educational programs and training, peer support, and advocacy for policy change in El Paso County.
$100,833.84
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for texas
The PdN Center at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
To expand mental health and emotional well-being strategies and leverage Institute relationships with state and federal governments and its consulting practice, bringing new investments and opportunities and bettering the mental health of the region.
$500,000.00
New Mexico State University Foundation, Inc.
NMSU On the Road to Living Well with Diabetes
To enroll 150 participants into On the Road to Living Well with Diabetes within the Doña Ana, Otero, and Luna Counties in Southern New Mexico.
$19,751.05
Paso del Norte Children's Development Center (PdN Children's)
Help Me Grow El Paso Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities Workforce Capacity Building
To address local workforce needs in neurodevelopmental disabilities by providing intensive, interdisciplinary training to emerging professionals from various healthcare and education fields in El Paso, TX.
$31,956.90
Project Amistad
Amistad Diabetes Awareness Prevention Team (ADAPT)
To provide the Prevent T2 for ALL, a CDC-approved adaptation curriculum to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, for 65 people in El Paso, TX.
$38,333.35
Project Vida Health Center
Diabetes Prevention Program
To provide a diabetes prevention program to at least 64 adults while implementing depression screenings and mental health referrals in El Paso, Ft. Hancock, and Socorro, TX.
$34,122.00
Project Vida Health Center
Diabetes Prevention Program
Diabetes Prevention Program
$25,000.00
Texas Tech Foundation, Inc.
Engaging Community Dentists to Screen for and Provide Diabetes Education
To provide diabetes screening and referral training to four community dentists for 400 patients in El Paso, TX.
$31,233.40
University of Texas at El Paso
UTEP Diabetes Awareness Training for Community Outreach
To train and supervise 40 students to deliver the Diabetes Awareness Training Program for Community Outreach to 200 individuals across the Paso del Norte Region.
$14,708.10
University of Texas at El Paso
Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Dissemination of the Regional Diabetes Initiative
To provide technical assistance and evaluation for the initiative in coordination with the VP of Programs, program officer, EPCD, SNMDO, and Diabetes Alliance partners.
$34,624.70
Center for Health Innovation
Bridging the Gap: Reducing Stigma in Rural Communities
To implement Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and the Addiction Policy Forum’s EnCompass program for 150 individuals in Luna and Doña Ana County.
$12,375.00
Centro Familiar para la Integracion y Crecimiento, A.C.
Aprende a cuidar de ti 3
To develop a train-the-trainer program for sustaining the Aprende a Cuidar de ti and provide technical assistance to 12 health professionals implementing the Aprende Cuidar de ti program in Ciudad Juárez, MX.
$30,434.80
El Paso Center for Children, Inc.
Strong Families Community Change Initiative
To conduct parent educational workshops aimed to increase parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, and social and emotional competence of children, known as Parent Cafés in El Paso, TX.
$19,453.50
El Paso Diabetes Association
"Now What?" Diabetes Awareness and Advocacy Campaign
To create strategies and communication materials to promote the Diabetes "Now What?" media campaign and continue to develop the Diabetes Alliance within the Paso del Norte Region.
$229,656.48
El Paso Diabetes Association
Supporting Diabetes Prevention, Early Detection, and Management through Public Awareness
To create communication materials to promote the Diabetes "Now What?" (DNW) media campaign, develop the marketing capacity of the Center to support long-term sustainability, and continue to develop the Diabetes Alliance across the Paso del Norte Region.
$231,646.70
El Paso Diabetes Association
2026 FACES of Diabetes Conference
2026 FACES of Diabetes Conference
$10,000.00
Fundación Paso del Norte para la Salud y Bienestar, A.C.
Documenting Community Programs on Diabetes in Ciudad Juárez
To Document Community Programs on Diabetes in Ciudad Juárez
$11,777.96
NAMI El Paso Inc
People Empower El Paso
To deliver 28 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) evidence-based courses, train 50+ volunteers, provide peer support to 250 individuals, reach 2,500+ through 75 presentations, and advocate for mental health policy change in El Paso County.
$45,118.66
New Mexico State University Foundation, Inc.
QPR Training in Southern New Mexico
To reduce stigma in Doña Ana, Luna, and Otero counties by training individuals to communicate non-judgmentally with those at risk of suicide, helping them access resources for managing mental illness.
$19,892.40
PHIX
Promoting Diabetes Intervention and Management Through Health Analyses and Notifications
To lead the Diabetes Data Workgroup and support gestational diabetes planning in El Paso, TX.
$11,824.03
Project Amistad
Amistad Diabetes Awareness Prevention Team (ADAPT)
To graduate 125 people from the Prevent T2 for ALL, a CDC-approved adapted curriculum for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD/DD) in El Paso, TX.
$35,000.00
Project Vida Health Center
Bilingual Psychiatry Residency Program
To increase the regional collaborative care capacity by expanding Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots in the El Paso region through a Community-Based Psychiatry Residency program.
$75,000.00
Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach
Capacity Building for Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach
To build the capacity of Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach in Las Cruces, NM.
$11,631.73
The Regents of New Mexico State University
Sabrosa Vida Reimagined
To redesign the Sabrosa Vida program for people with type 2 diabetes and their family members in El Paso, TX.
$11,535.25
University of Texas at El Paso
Technical Assistance, Documentation, and Evaluation of Regional Diabetes Campaigns and Initiatives
To provide technical assistance for regional diabetes media campaigns and future gestational diabetes efforts.
$29,080.50
University of Texas at El Paso
Addressing Diabetes through a CHW led Diabetes Intervention
To graduate at least 1,000 people from On the Road (OTR) to living with Diabetes, a five-week program, in El Paso, TX.
$71,731.71
Centro Caritativo para atencion de Enfermos de Sida A. C.
PLENA-MENTE
To promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and prevent burnout among educational staff in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, through Psychological First Aid (PFA) training.
$44,996.86
Centro Familiar para la Integracion y Crecimiento, A.C.
Aprende a cuidar de ti. Adolescencia
To pilot a youth pre-diabetes education program targeting up to 40 students in Ciudad Juárez, MX.
$25,458.95
El Paso Child Guidance Center
Evidence-based training and education to reduce stigma around child mental health
To expand trauma-informed care, mental health education, and wellness training for caregivers and professionals as a response to their growing demand.
$35,562.09
El Paso Diabetes Association
Diabetes Education
To offer diabetes education services in El Paso, TX.
$125,389.00
El Paso Diabetes Association
Transforming Lives: Accelerating Momentum to Expand Diabetes Education and Engagement
To increase capacity for the El Paso Center for Diabetes to deliver diabetes education and related services in El Paso, TX.
$410,578.03
El Paso Diabetes Association
Strategic Planning Support for the Diabetes Alliance
Strategic Planning Support for the Diabetes Alliance
$12,500.00
FYI+
Local Collaborative 3 (LC3)
To improve the mental health and substance use systems of care, focusing on policy, program, and practice improvements through the Local Collaborative 3’s (LC3) in Doña Ana County.
$78,655.00
National Latino Behavioral Health Association
2025 NLBHA Conference 08-2025
NLBHA Conference
$5,000.00
New Mexico State University Foundation, Inc.
On the Road to Living Well with Diabetes
To graduate 150 participants into On the Road (OTR) to Living Well with Diabetes within the Doña Ana, Otero, and Luna Counties in Southern New Mexico.
$17,232.98
PHIX
Data Analysis to Support Diabetes Prevention and Management
To lead the Diabetes Data and advisory workgroup and collaborate with Southern New Mexico Alliance.
$14,441.24
Project Amistad
ADAPT (Texas Mutual & Texigrant)
ADAPT (Texas Mutual & Texigrant)
$25,000.00
Project Vida Health Center
Diabetes Prevention Program
To graduate 65 individuals in the diabetes prevention program (DPP) while implementing depression screenings and mental health referrals in El Paso, TX.
$34,122.00
Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach
Capacity Building and Expanding Services
To build the capacity of Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach (SNMDO) and further enhance the Southern New Mexico Alliance in Las Cruces, NM.
$23,910.91
University Medical Center Foundation
Diabetes Care Plus
A establish and sustain an integration of a clinical pharmacist into a diabetes care management team in El Paso, TX.
$168,625.50
University of Texas at El Paso
Expanding a CHW led diabetes intervention to increase diabetes education
To deliver On the Road to living with Diabetes, a five-week program to at least 1,000 participants in El Paso, TX.
$90,685.36
Mental
Health & Emotional Well-Being
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To develop, lead and invest in partnerships, organizations, programs and communications to promote emotional well-being, reduce stigma and negative bias, and improve access, ease of navigation, and continuity of care for mental and behavioral health services.
Project Vida Health Center: Expanding Mental Health Access
To address the region’s shortage of mental health providers, Project Vida Health Center (PVHC) launched a Community-Based Psychiatry Residency Program with essential support from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. This partnership strengthened access to culturally competent behavioral health care in underserved border communities.
With $480,000 in grant funding since 2022, PVHC has developed an ACGME-aligned curriculum, recruited faculty, and secured accreditation as of July 2023. The program welcomed its first cohort of three residents in July 2024, with a second cohort to follow. Most clinical training occurred at PVHC sites, immersing residents in integrated, community-focused care.
This initiative demonstrated how community health centers can lead graduate medical education and build a sustainable behavioral health workforce for the border region. As inaugural resident Dr. Beatriz Deras shared, the program aimed to develop psychiatrists who were “skilled, empathetic, and devoted to making a meaningful impact in the El Paso community.”
Health Leadership
To support leadership development for executives, boards of directors, and nonprofit organizations. Leverage resources through partnerships, invest in strategic initiatives and catalytic projects, and respond to immediate needs to benefit the region’s health.
In 2025, the Health Foundation invested $5.05 million to support 18 grants under the Health Leadership priority area.
Eighteen Leaders Strengthened the Region Through REALIZE Executive
Fundación Paso del Norte proudly celebrated the graduation of the third REALIZE Executive cohort in Ciudad Juárez, marking a significant milestone in regional leadership development. In 2025, 18 exceptional nonprofit leaders completed a rigorous and transformative 10-month experience that included in-depth leadership training, executive coaching, and immersive retreats.
The cohort experience fostered meaningful personal growth and deep peer connections, resulting in a strong network of leaders committed to strengthening their organizations and advancing meaningful change across the Paso del Norte region. Graduates emerged better prepared to navigate complexity, inspire teams, and lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose—capabilities that will continue to benefit their organizations and the communities they serve.
The REALIZE Executive program was brought to Ciudad Juárez by Fundación Paso del Norte with support from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. Designed as a premier leadership development experience, the program was developed by international experts in partnership with Health Foundation staff and tailored specifically for emerging top-level executives in the Paso del Norte region. Through this investment, participants gained the tools, insights, and relationships needed to lead with vision and lasting impact.
To learn more about the REALIZE Executive program, visit pdnhf.org.
HEALTH LEADERSHIP
Community Resilience
To respond when the community needs leadership for crisis response and other emergent healthcare needs.
Emergency Grants Supported Families During Government Shutdown
During the federal government shutdown, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation responded quickly to support El Paso residents facing sudden financial hardship. The Health Foundation awarded $60,000 in emergency grants to trusted nonprofit partners to help ensure families had
access to essential food and critical support during a period of uncertainty.
These emergency funds helped stabilize households affected by furloughs and delayed paychecks, particularly military families and federal workers, by strengthening local response efforts and addressing immediate basic needs.
Grant Highlights
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United Way of El Paso County received $25,000 for its Government Shutdown Relief Fund. The grant was matched 2-to-1, significantly expanding assistance available to impacted families.
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El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank was awarded $25,000 to distribute food to military families and federal workers experiencing food insecurity.
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Armed Services YMCA of El Paso received $10,000 to provide direct support to military families and federal workers in need.
By investing in organizations with deep community reach, the Health Foundation helped ensure timely, coordinated relief for those most affected by the shutdown. These emergency grants reflected the Foundation’s commitment to responding swiftly to community needs and supporting nonprofit partners on the front lines of service.
Learn more about how the Paso del Norte Health Foundation strengthened the health and well- being of the region at pdnhf.org.
Strategic Initiatives
To catalyze positive change for health by investing in innovative projects and igniting ideas for wellness.
Breaking Ground on Comprehensive Cancer Care with a $5 Million Leadership Investment
A $5 million leadership investment from Paso del Norte Health Foundation helped launch a new era for cancer care in El Paso with the historic groundbreaking of the Fox Cancer Center at Texas Tech Health El Paso in September 2025.
At the heart of this investment for PdNHF is the establishment of a Patient Support Services Unit, which will be designed to provide a compassionate experience for patients and families from their first interaction with the Center through treatment and follow-up care.
The grant also supports the recruitment of top-tier cancer specialists, healthcare leaders, and essential support staff, ensuring the Fox Cancer Center is positioned to deliver advanced, patient-centered care. Funding also enabled competitive recruitment packages that strengthened clinical expertise and expanded access to innovative treatments and clinical trials.
Historically, El Paso residents faced limited access to advanced cancer services, often traveling hundreds of miles to Albuquerque or Houston for specialized care such as bone marrow transplants, genetic risk assessments, and advanced imaging. The Fox Cancer Center addressed this gap by bringing comprehensive outpatient cancer services—including imaging, treatment, research, clinical trials, and community outreach—together under one roof.
This leadership commitment was built upon a strong partnership between the Health Foundation and TTUHSC El Paso. Previous investments included $1.25 million to establish the Medical Student Loan Program at the Foster School of Medicine and $11 million to support the creation of the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening the region’s healthcare system and improving long-term health outcomes.
30 Years of Transforming Health in the Paso del Norte Region
For three decades, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation has remained steadfast in its mission to improve the health and well-being of the people who call our binational, tri-state region home. Established in 1995 with a $130 million endowment from the sale of Providence Memorial Hospital, the Health Foundation embraced a bold vision: to build healthier communities through strategic investment, strong partnerships, and innovative solutions.
Over the years, what once felt aspirational has become part of the fabric of everyday life. State-of-the-art health and wellness facilities, expanded higher-education opportunities, thriving nonprofit partners, and strengthened public health systems now anchor the region. These advancements reflect the Health Foundation’s long-term commitment to initiatives that make healthy living more accessible, more affordable, and more achievable for all.
As we celebrated 30 Years of Transforming Health, we honored the people, institutions, and moments that shaped this journey.
Past President Brunch
A special gathering to honor the vision and leadership of founding and current board members, as well as past board chairs.
Proclamations and Resolutions
Recognition from the City and County of El Paso, the City of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, Texas Senator César Blanco, and U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar.
UTEP Dedication Ceremony
The University of Texas at El Paso commemorated 30 years of collaboration with a special dedication of naming the terrace the Paso del Norte Health Foundation Terrace at the Health Sciences and Nursing Building and the unveiling of the Health in Mind, Body, and Spirit statue—symbolizing unity, partnership, and community well-being.
Locomotive FC Partnership
A community celebration in collaboration with Texas Tech Health, recognizing “Cancer Night” and promoting awareness of cancer prevention and care.
Media Campaign
A regional campaign highlighted the Healthy Foundation’s history, partnerships, and impact.
Awards and Honors
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Binational Philanthropy Award from Fundación Paso del Norte
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UTEP Presidential Gold Bar Award
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2025 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Nonprofits
A series of events and recognitions highlighted the Health Foundation’s impact and the community partnerships that made it possible:
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to the many partners, grantees, leaders, and community members who have supported this work over the past 30 years. Together, we continue to advance a shared vision of a healthier, more vibrant region—today and for generations to come.
Grants and Finances
The Health Foundation ended the year with $310 million in assets, up from $130 million in 1995, keeping administrative expenses less than 1 percent of foundation assets and bringing total grantmaking since inception to more than $282 million.
$130 M
INITIAL ASSETS
IN 1995
<1%
ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES
$282 M
GRANTMAKING
SINCE INCEPTION
$310 M
TOTAL ASSETS
AS OF 12/31/2025
2025
Impact
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation awarded $14.9 million in grants and charitable expenses, including major grants resulting from the deployment of MacKenzie Scott funds awarded to the Health Foundation, ending the year with $310 million in assets.
Since our inception in 1995, the Health Foundation has awarded over $282 million in grants and charitable expenses. As part of our commitment to stewardship, we received clean audited financial statements, achieved a 13.1% return on investment assets, and spent less than 1% of total assets on administration.
2025 Grantmaking
The Health Foundation invested $14.9million in grants and charitable expenses through 130 grants and contracts across three priority areas to expand individuals’ opportunities to live healthy lives.
PRIORITY AREAS
Healthy Living (38%)
Disease Prevention & Management (23%)
Health Leadership (39%)
38%
23%
39%
Comparative Assets
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation was established in 1995 from the sale of Providence Memorial Hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corporation with an initial $130 million from the sale proceeds. It is a supporting organization of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation and works with the Fundación Paso del Norte, a Juárez-based nonprofit.
A Community of Philanthropy
The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is a public charity established in 2013 to support the philanthropic goals of individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations to improve education, health, social services, economic development, and quality of life in the Paso del Norte region.
The Fundación Paso del Norte is a Juárez-based nonprofit organization established in 2015 by the Health Foundation to lead and promote partnerships and initiatives to improve health and quality of life for people in the Ciudad Juárez, Mexico region.
2025 Board of Directors
Amy Marcus
Board Chair
Community Advocate
Carlos Fernandez
Board Vice Chair
Merrill Lynch
Joseph Bocanegra
NexGen Hyperbaric, LLC
Annette Cordova-Hoy, M.D.
Retired Physician
Art Garza
Del Sol Medical Center
John Hummer
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matt Kerr
Lauterbach, Borschow & Company
Linda Lawson
The Hospitals of Providence – Transmountain (Retired)
Jeanne Lipson
Sunflower Bank
Ronnie Lowenfield
CASA Auto Group
Lelia Melendez
Workforce Solutions Borderplex
Kristina Mena, Ph. D.
UT Health Houston School of Public Health
Maria ‘Luby’ Prodanovic-Nutis, M.D.
Sun City Kidz Clinic
Socorro Rodriguez
WestStar Bank
Mylena Walker
Cardinal Health
2025 Paso del Norte Health Foundation Staff
Tracy J. Yellen
Chief Executive Officer
Faviola Calvo
Accountant I I
Sandra Day
Program Officer
Juanita Galaviz
Program Administrator
Audrey Garcia
Program Officer
Marcela Garcia
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Michael Kelly, Ph.D.
Vice President of Programs
Julia Lucero
Content Creator Associate
Ashley Olivares
Accounting Associate
Ida Ortegon
Director of Communications
Claudia Perez
Program Administrator
Jana Renner
Senior Program Officer
Diana Seabrooks
Operations Manager
Mercedez Sifuentes
Operations Support Assistant
Kristina Sparkman
Accountant II
2025 Supporting Staff
Mica Short
Vice President of Development
Kellie Burns-Franco
Director of Partnerships and Outreach
Claudio Castañon
Development Manager
Lupe Diaz
Program Manager
Rosemary Hernandez
Director of Accounting
Alejandra Alvarado
Accountant I
Gonzalo Mendoza
Development Coordinator
Yesenia Morales
Development Assistant
Karina Benavides
PdNCF Intern
MISSION
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation leads, leverages, and invests in initiatives, programs, and policies that promote health and prevent disease in the Paso del Norte region.
VISION
To ensure that the residents of our binational, tri-state region have the knowledge, resources, support, and environment to live happy, healthy and productive lives.
CONTACT US
221 N. Kansas, Suite 1900
El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 544-7636
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