Fighting for inclusive health care in Gainesville elementary schools — and on a bus

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Born in Venezuela and raised in Florida after her family immigrated over a decade ago, Andrea Jiménez has always known she wanted to be part of the health care world. But she also knew she wanted to do it differently.

Now a 20-year-old UF nutritional sciences junior with a specialization in public relations, Jiménez is dedicating her studies and volunteer work to making health care more inclusive, particularly for those who face cultural and linguistic barriers.

Jiménez’s passion for helping others began in high school, where she decided it was “UF or nothing” when it came to building her future.

Her journey in nutritional sciences wasn’t linear. While she was always drawn to health care, the traditional path of becoming a doctor never felt like the right fit. A class on health inequalities shifted her perspective. 

“It opened my eyes to realities like language barriers, socioeconomic differences and the lack of education that affect so many communities,” she said.

One of Jiménez’s most impactful roles is as a volunteer with the Gainesville Mobile Clinic, a bus that provides free medical care to underserved populations. Working alongside doctors, nurses and coordinators, she not only assists health care providers but also serves as an interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients.

“One of the biggest disparities is language,” she said. “Many people are afraid to go to the doctor not only because of the cost, but because they don’t understand what they are being told or who they are going to talk to.”

Her work helps bridge that gap, making patients feel seen, understood and supported. But that means Jiménez often has to deliver difficult news or witness harsh realities, like language barriers, socioeconomic differences and lack of education many families face. Still, she finds purpose in helping them navigate a system that can otherwise feel inaccessible.

Those who work alongside Jiménez praise both her dedication and optimism. 

“Her work ethic is incredible,” said Gerardo León, a 22-year-old UF advertising senior. “Having worked with her, I can say that Andrea is one of the most responsible people that can exist.”

León said Jiménez’s ability to always see the positive side of things is one of her strongest traits — a quality that fueled her commitment to service.

Her mission to improve health access extends beyond the clinic. As a volunteer officer with the Small Bites Nutrition club, she visits elementary schools to teach children the importance of healthy eating, planting the seeds of lifelong wellness in the next generation.

Her academic interests have also expanded into research. She’s working on a project in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, funded by UF’s Emerging Scholars Program, that explores the lack of nutritional information available to people living with kidney failure, aiming to address a critical gap in patient education.

Jiménez admits that when she arrived in Gainesville, she felt lost and unsure of her direction. But over time, she discovered her passion, and with it, a sense of purpose. Everything she does, she said, is fueled by the sacrifices her parents made to give her a better life.

“Access to resources is fundamental,” she said. “The Gainesville community has been such an important pillar for me.”

It’s why she encourages anyone in need of help to seek it, saying everything is “a network of collaboration.”

With that spirit of cooperation guiding her, Jiménez is building a career dedicated to breaking down barriers, uplifting vulnerable communities and ensuring that language or circumstance is never a reason someone goes without care. 

Contact María José Cordero in mcastillo@alligator.org . Follow her on X @marprofundo___.

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