“At CBHA, we believe in developing strong leaders who make a real difference in the lives of our patients and communities," says CEO Nieves Gomez. "Christina Toro is a shining example of that leadership in action.”

CBHA has long been committed to fostering growth and excellence among its team members, and Christina Toro’s recent recognition with a national award is proof of that dedication. Her passion for patient engagement and innovative healthcare solutions has not only transformed CBHA but has now earned her the prestigious Geiger Gibson Emerging Leader Award.

The Geiger Gibson Emerging Leader Award

Christina Toro received the Geiger Gibson Emerging Leader Award, presented by the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health. This prestigious award, given in collaboration with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), recognizes young professionals who have significantly advanced the mission of community health centers by ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for underserved populations.

"Christina has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving patient experiences and access to care for underserved populations, including the migrant and seasonal farm-working families who form the heart of our community," said CBHA CEO, Nieves Gomez.

A Steady Climb to Leadership

A Royal City High School graduate, Christina pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix. Her journey at CBHA began in 2015 as a Management Trainee, and from there, she rapidly advanced through various leadership roles.

In just a few years, she transitioned from Clinic Manager to Call Center Supervisor, Director of Patient Connections, Site Director, and Director of Patient Engagement in 2020—a position she continues to thrive in today. Over the years, she has supervised departments ranging from patient services and referrals to quality control and even the Othello Clinic café.

Passion for Innovation and Patient Experience

Christina’s passion for enhancing the patient experience is evident in the impactful projects she has led. One of her most significant initiatives was developing CBHA’s pre-registration process in 2016, which drastically reduced patient registration time from an average of five minutes to under two.

Another milestone was the implementation of an advanced appointment reminder system, transitioning from traditional phone calls to automated text messages. These initiatives, along with her involvement in our self–scheduling program and patient portal advancements, have transformed the way CBHA interacts with its patients.

One of Christina's most impactful projects has been CBHA's mobile and digital transformation initiative. "Thanks to her efforts, patients—many of whom are migrant and seasonal farm-working families facing barriers to care, language limitations, and low literacy—now have the ability to schedule appointments through multiple channels tailored to their needs, including text, QR code campaigns, chatbots, IVR, the patient portal, and over-the-phone scheduling in dual-language services," said Gomez.

Under her leadership, 10% of CBHA’s total visits are now scheduled through mobile devices, increasing accessibility for patients, reducing no-show visits, and improving patient satisfaction scores.

Leading with Purpose

Currently, Christina oversees multiple key areas at CBHA, including patient engagement, patient experience, performance improvement, referrals, quality management, the contact center, and provider scheduling across all service lines.

"Leadership isn’t about being afraid to make mistakes—it’s about learning, supporting, and guiding others. Growth comes from challenges, and true leadership is about making a difference, not just for your team, but for those you serve," says Christina Toro.

Her remarkable journey at CBHA and her well-deserved recognition highlight her dedication to both leadership and patient care. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the unwavering support of a strong organizational culture.