Ricardo Garay began working for the Migrant Clinician Network in February of 2009. He is currently responsible for the management of the organization’s Health Network program. This program focuses on the proper coordination of clinical care for migrant workers in different parts of the world. This program also includes other initiatives such as TBNet, CAN-Track, Diabetes Track II, Prenatal Care, and HIV.

Ricardo was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Growing up he became very involved in the family-owned Pharmacy called FarMax. His hands-on experience in the pharmacy laid the foundation for his future interests in both the business realm and social awareness initiatives. While in college, Ricardo was the Student Recruiter Director for the Abilene Christian University’s Admissions office where he managed a team of 20 other students callers. Ricardo received his degree in Business Administration and decided to move to Austin in order to pursue further professional options.

Prior to working for Migrant Clinician Network worked as an EDU Account Manager for Apple Inc. Outside the office, Ricardo enjoys playing soccer, listening to live music, and traveling. “I like to keep an open mind to different approaches, the more people I come in contact with, the more I understand in the importance of equality.” Ricardo strongly believes that Austin and this position at MCN, provide the perfect backdrop for this to happen on a daily basis.

Adrian L. Velasquez is the Manager of the Family Violence Prevention Initiative for Migrant Clinicians Network. This program in focuses particularly on the primary prevention of both sexual and intimate partner violence in the Hispanic migrant community in the United States and building healthy relationships for these families.

Adrian was born in Del Rio, TX. Growing up, Adrian was always involved in social awareness initiatives. During high school and college, Adrian actively led many initiatives; particularly, those dedicated to at-risk youth and local food drives. Adrian attributes his social interests to being a first generation high school and college graduate coming from a migrant family. Adrian graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008 with a B.A. in Latin American Studies.

Adrian began working for the Migrant Clinician Network (MCN) in September of 2009 as a Health Network Associate; addressing the continuity of care needs on a global scale for farmworkers and other mobile populations. He transitioned to Hombres Unidos in 2011 bringing with him many years of experience dealing with diverse populations, cultural competency, and a thorough knowledge of issues pertaining to the migrant population.

Outside the office, Adrian is very active and enjoys playing and coaching competitive volleyball. He is in his second year as the Assistant Director of Austin Elite Volleyball Club.

Matt Riley is a native Texan born in Ft. Worth and raised all over Texas and Oklahoma. He attended Belmont University and received a degree in Commercial Music in 2005. From there, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked for an international media company as their office manager. In 2010, he moved back to Texas, taking up residence in Austin where he began work for a restaurant supply company as their accounts receivable clerk.

Matt enjoys playing guitar, piano, singing, and writing music. He plays with a band in his free time and leads music for First Baptist Taylor on Sunday mornings.

Elyce Harris is the Executive Administrative Associate at MCN. She is a native Texan, hailing from San Antonio, but her family is military so she traveled a lot as a child. After high school Elyce lived in Mexico City for two years working with a church on a variety of issues including advocating for indigenous population rights, leading eco-tours, and teaching English. When she returned from Mexico she went to community college and received her Associate of Arts in Business Administration. In 2005, Elyce started at Texas Tech University and graduated in 2009 with Bachelors of Arts in both Global Affairs and Spanish. During her time in college she studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain and Lyon, France. In both of these countries she did more advocacy work for victims of human trafficking, refugees, and handicap rights, as well as disaster relief projects. In May of 2010 she moved to Austin, Texas to work for the Refugee Services of Texas, where she worked as a case manager for refugees and victims of human trafficking. In this capacity she provided direct care services to these groups and worked with lawyers, doctors, Medicaid/Medicare, grants, and many more programs and organizations on a daily basis.

Dr. Andrea Caracostis, has long track record of dedication to special populations and to community health center work; she is a medical doctor with a masters in public health. She has 10 years experience working with Community and Migrant Health Centers and special populations. She is currently the Executive Director of HOPE Clinic, a Federally Qualified Health Center providing care to the large multicultural community in Southwest Houston. In addition, she is a board member of the Texas Association of Community Health Centers and the Houston Partners for Community Health. Over all, her proven record of dedication to special populations and passion for eliminating disparities and improving health care access make her an asset to the community health center world.

Highly skilled, board certified educator with experienced in developing educational programs, public health policy and coordinating community outreach campaigns. Committed to improving outcomes in both the Latino and African American population with a special focus on migrant familes.

Sarah Martin joined Migrant Clinicians Network in April of 2012. She currently provides support to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and ensures the Austin office keeps on rolling. She was born and raised in Austin, Texas but enjoys traveling outside the Lone Star State. Latin American Art History was her favorite class before she received her BA in Art from Texas State University. She has traveled to many places in Latin America and appreciates the culture and art alike. She loves anything outside especially gardening, so she can watch her plants grow into something she can cook.

Medicaid Managed Care Organization

I am a graduate student with the University of Texas at El Paso and am searching for opportunities to work with migrant workers especially the women and children. My main concern is with issues of education and adequate healthcare including continuity of care as well as health literacy.