For generations, those of Hispanic and Latino origin have shaped our country as activists, artists, business owners, and public servants, as teachers, nurses, and doctors — as advocates of change.
As of 2023, the Hispanic population of the United States was 65.2 million people, or 19.5% of the total U.S. population. That makes Hispanics the largest minority group in the United States.
Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, acknowledges the heritage, history, and countless cultural contributions of Hispanic Americans and their ancestors.
In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month and this year’s theme, Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together, we spoke with several GoHealth team members who self-identify as Latino, Latine, or Hispanic to explore their rich tapestries of cultural expression, how personal and collective progress is funneled through each unique community lens, and the direct impact that traditions have on the workplace, health equity, and the diverse populations we serve.
Transformation Tied to Tradition
Despite the beautifully robust and remarkable ethno-cultural variety of Hispanic populations, a deep sense of tradition holds a meaningful place in all Hispanic communities in the United States. From a focus on multi-generational family relationships to the emphasis placed on unity through community, tradition has transformed how Hispanics and Hispanic Americans engage with and transform our society.
Francisco Morales, a Senior Benefit Consultant II at GoHealth who was born and raised in Guatemala, shares how his own connection to family heritage and traditional values helped him develop his own way of thinking and, consequently, made him a more successful licensed insurance agent.
“I have learned to become more multicultural and plurilingual in a diverse world, and to be more conscious and welcoming of people’s attitudes, desires, values, and personal viewpoints.”
While Morales has been a GoHealth agent for less than one year he has already become a top performer, which he attributes to his attitude when interacting with each Medicare consumer.
From his perspective, the key to building long-lasting relationships with Medicare enrollees is about “…making the enrollment experience personalized and fun for them. People like when others show genuine interest in what they like, in who they are.”
A Record of Resilience and Resourcefulness
In the face of adversity, resilience and resourcefulness are paramount to achieve a singular or collective goal. Herminia Flores, a Senior Benefit Consultant, candidly shares how her Hispanic roots informed her drive to communicate more effectively and openly with Medicare consumers. More specifically, she reveals that her own father’s strong work ethic and determination to succeed are what inspire her every day.
“As a Mexican and Aztec Indian who migrated to the United States, my father never had the opportunity to go to school when he was younger. However, as an adult with six children, he found his chance to pursue night school and receive his GED. Eventually, he became a U.S. citizen and a general manager for his company. His success proves that hard work always pays off, and that motivates me to put out my best work.”
Her upbringing also helped her understand how establishing a relationship built on loyalty and trust positively impacts the people she supports. Through her resourcefulness and ability to build a friendly rapport, each consumer could feel more confident on the call and in their healthcare decision.
“Right away, you get that feeling of trust from them and the enjoyment they feel on the other end of the call. As a professional, you have more opportunities to touch more hearts and change more lives through those caring actions you take.”
GoHealth’s Facilities Director, Dimas Estrada, also recognizes the worth of resilience and resourcefulness in his everyday duties – values engrained in him from an early age.
“Coming from a Mexican background, I learned the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and taking pride in our traditions. These values have shaped my approach to facilities operations, where I emphasize collaboration, supporting my team, and ensuring we maintain a welcoming environment for everyone.”
One of his most highly esteemed Hispanic inspirations is renowned Mexican poet, diplomat, and writer Octavio Paz. Often, he reflects on Paz’s reflection on Mexican identity and culture, exploring the balance between tradition and modernity. Estrada then mirrors this approach through his own work, regularly drawing from past experiences and making calculated decisions with shared input from his team.
The convergence of community and collaboration enables Estrada to look to the future: “As a Facilities Director, my role is about creating environments where people can thrive. By advocating for sustainable practices, prioritizing employee well-being, and fostering a work environment that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of our workforce, I aim to lead by example and inspire others to think about how we can constantly improve.”
Impact Through Ingenuity
Health and well-being will always be a universal concern, but certain barriers to care pose a distinctive challenge to Hispanic populations. Despite impressive advancements in health equity, including greater Medicare Advantage enrollment among Hispanic beneficiaries, disparities ranging from language barriers to lower socioeconomic status to higher rates of chronic conditions among certain populations disproportionately affect access to care.
At GoHealth, every interaction is designed to simplify the Medicare plan shopping experience. For Maria Regil, a Bilingual Team Manager, this includes supporting Medicare consumers who may face challenging language barriers.
Drawing on her experiences growing up in Mexico, Maria uses her abilities as a native Spanish speaker to connect with consumers in need of her and her team’s support.
“I focus on people and their value as unique individuals. I have been and enjoy being the voice of the one that is not brave enough to speak.”
Being that voice is impactful. In fact, a 2021 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that 44% of Spanish-speaking participants said language and cultural barriers were major reasons why health outcomes in the U.S. were worse for Hispanic Americans.
Greater communication initiatives for those with limited language proficiency can help meet the evolving needs of those searching for their ideal health plan. That partnered with GoHealth’s PlanFit technology can cut through the confusion of Medicare and ensure that each consumer is confident in their final health plan selection.
Life’s Vibrancy and Collective Success
When asked how she would describe her own experience, Marketing Compliance Specialist Rosy Brito painted her Venezuelan upbringing as vibrant, colorful, and socially rich thanks in part to the kaleidoscope of culture from Italy, Spain, and a variety of African nations.
Through this vibrant lens, Brito grew accustomed to the blending of her Venezuelan background with the opportunities and innovation in the United States.
“The blending of cultures in my legacy has shaped my approach to life and work, allowing me to create meaningful connections and offer something distinct to the community around me.”
Positivity and a can-do attitude accelerate progress, and Brito’s own relationship to her multi-cultural communities foster greater creativity and collaboration in the workplace. Success in personal and professional endeavors is not just measured on personal achievement; it is also measured by the success of those around you.
Rosy adds, “Success is also about how we carry ourselves along the way and, most importantly, how we use our experiences and skills to impact those around us. Our communities have enriched societies thanks in part to our collective dedication to inclusion and multiculturalism, promoting a future where different voices and experiences are heard and honored.”
Acknowledging Intersectionality in the Workplace
As the Senior Manager of People and Culture, Anthony Sis has big plans to expand GoHealth’s focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace. His Guatemalan and Puerto Rican roots, in combination with his queer Latine identity, allow him to embrace the rich diversity that exists at the intersection of these core identities in his personal life and in the workplace.
Sis explains that these core identities are still largely underrepresented in many work environments, which fuels his tenacity to make every GoHealth employee feel more comfortable sharing pride in their own identities.
“I see my actions and behaviors today as a part of the bigger picture for tomorrow and for years to come. I am often the ‘one’ or ‘only’ in a room with certain identities, experiences, or behaviors.” Sis adds, “Over time, I’ve embraced this as a positive: Introduce something new to an environment that may not even know people with my identities or experiences exist.”
Offering new dialogues around culture and identity and fostering more inclusive workplace practices significantly enhance long-term employee engagement. According to an ADP report, employees who are satisfied with their organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion are twice as engaged as dissatisfied employees.
The Hispanic identity is one of countless facets; each unique perspective and viewpoint contributes to a larger narrative of inclusivity, resilience, community, and collaboration. As we encourage new avenues of self-expression and aim to create a less prejudiced world, we can prioritize the innovations that will pave a new way forward for future generations of Hispanic Americans and the countless number of people they will help.
About GoHealth
GoHealth is a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company. Enrolling in a health insurance plan can be confusing for customers, and the seemingly small differences between plans can lead to significant out-of-pocket costs or lack of access to critical medicines and even providers. GoHealth combines cutting-edge technology, data science, and deep industry expertise to build trusted relationships with consumers and match them with the healthcare policy and carrier that is right for them. Since its inception, GoHealth has enrolled millions of people in Medicare plans and individual and family plans. For more information, visit GoHealth.com.
