Dr. Edgar Chavez, Universal Community Health Center, Interview with meddkit
Provider Spotlight: Dr. Edgar Chavez of Universal Community Health Center 🏥🤝
In this spotlight, we talk with Dr. Edgar Chavez, family medicine physician and founder of Universal Community Health Center (UCHC) in South Los Angeles. An immigrant who grew up in LA, Dr. Chavez draws from his own experiences navigating the healthcare system to address the gaps he saw firsthand—particularly within underserved and immigrant communities facing language and access barriers.
Dr. Chavez shares what inspired him to start UCHC, the realities of balancing patient care with the business side of running a health center, and the wide range of services his organization provides—including preventive primary care, behavioral health, dental care, podiatry, and more. Rather than narrowing his focus, he chose to build a model that serves the whole community, even expanding support beyond medicine through initiatives like a community food pantry.
He also debunks common misconceptions about community health centers—such as the belief that they only serve certain populations or offer lower-quality care—and explains where those assumptions come from. Dr. Chavez also speaks passionately about the role of electronic health records, AI, and automation in healthcare, encouraging providers to embrace technology as a tool to enhance care rather than fear it.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Chavez offers thoughtful advice for both providers and patients, emphasizing the importance of proactive health decisions and using available resources to strengthen outcomes. He also reminds viewers that community clinics exist in every state—and encourages those in California, especially South Los Angeles, to explore the programs and services available at UCHC.
🌐 Learn more:
👉 https://uchcla.org/
