In the heart of the South Bronx, where health disparities ran deep, Urban Health Plan, Inc. (UHP) opened its doors in 1974 with a vision for a healthier, more equitable future. Conceived by Dr. Richard Izquierdo, UHP has grown from a small community health practice into one of New York’s largest and most trusted healthcare networks. For five decades, UHP has provided comprehensive and affordable primary and specialty care, always grounded in the belief that health care should be accessible, compassionate, and holistic.
Harlem-born Dr. Izquierdo studied medicine in Switzerland and returned to the Bronx for his internship and residency, opening his first practice in the Bronx in 1962, just blocks from where he grew up. In 1967, he purchased and abandoned building and created the San Juan Health Center, a response to the community’s unmet need for accessible, reliable medical care. His commitment ran deeper than medicine alone; his was a mission to empower the community. Recognizing that community needed consistent, high-quality care beyond the capacity of his modest practice, he established Urban Health Plan in 1974, a healthcare home providing culturally competent care to residents of Hunts Point, Mott Haven, and Morrisania neighborhood. Today, UHP serves communities in the Bronx Central Harlem, and Corona, Queens through its flagship site, eleven satellite centers, and a network of school-based health centers
In addition to offering comprehensive primary and specialty medical care across the age spectrum, UHP provides numerous social impact initiatives that address the unique needs of the neighborhoods it serves.
o Recognizing the connection between social factors and health outcomes, UHP developed Club Teens in Action (TIA), a program focused on adolescent health and development. It offers mentorship, workshops, academic support, health education, cultural enrichment, an internship opportunity, TIA empowers teens to make informed choices, bolstering their self-esteem and resilience and helping them develop as advocates for healthier future.
o Workforce BX helps prepare Bronx residents for health-focused careers. Through workshops, high school completion programs, and job training, Workforce BX supports residents at every stage of their career journey.
o The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health (IACH), UHP’s internal Quality Improvement (QI) arm, focuses on care quality, safety, and patient satisfaction.
o The Health Information Place (HIP), UHP’s insurance navigation team, exemplifies its community-first commitment. A lifeline for families HIP helps community members navigate the complex New York State of Health Marketplace, assisting them with enrollment in affordable health plans.
o UHP’s new “Arts For Everybody” initiative, part of an 18-city “social prescribing” initiative to enhance community health and wellbeing, provides free and low-cost opportunities to engage with local art and activities such as museums, theaters, cooking classes, and performance venues. UHP launched Arts For Everybody, at last summer’s “Fiesta San Juan” community celebration merged art and health in a vibrant community event featuring a parade, performances, cooking demonstrations, and visual art exhibits.
As UHP celebrates its 50th anniversary, it remains committed to the same vision that guided Dr. Izquierdo half a century ago. UHP has not only built a legacy but has become a beacon of hope, resilience, and health for all. Dedicated to quality, innovation, and the well-being of its community, UHP looks forward to many more years of transformative care.
