In the bustling metropolis of Fort Worth, Texas, amidst the whirlwind of everyday life, there exists a beacon of hope and empowerment—Cuidado Casero Foundation. Founded in June 2017 by Dr. Carmen Santiago, this remarkable organization stands as a testament to the power of compassion, resilience, and the unwavering belief in the transformative potential of education. The foundation’s president and executive director is Doriclys Martinez, the eldest daughter of the founder.
The roots of Cuidado Casero Foundation can be traced back to Martinez’s own family history. In 1995, her mother embarked on a journey to establish Cuidado Casero, a home health and hospice care company, dedicated to serving the Latino community. Witnessing the challenges faced by Hispanic families in accessing quality healthcare, particularly due to language barriers, ignited a spark within Martinez—a spark that would later evolve into a beacon of hope for aspiring nurses within the community.
In 2017, Martinez took the helm of Cuidado Casero Foundation with a singular vision: to support Hispanic students pursuing nursing degrees. The foundation’s mission is not only to provide financial assistance but also mentorship and educational programs for middle and high school students, paving the way for a more diverse and qualified nursing workforce, particularly within the Hispanic community.
Martinez’s journey to the helm of Cuidado Casero Foundation is a testament to her unwavering dedication and determination. With 14 years of experience in the Home Health & Hospice organization, where she served as the VP of Human Resources, Martinez intimately understood the challenges faced in recruiting Latino nurses. The scarcity of Spanish-speaking nurses, coupled with the dire need for bilingual healthcare professionals, fueled her passion to create lasting change.
As the Executive Director of the foundation, Martinez’s role encompasses overseeing operations, scholarship programs, fundraising, and community engagement. Her hands-on approach and unwavering commitment to the cause have propelled the foundation’s mission forward, impacting countless lives along the way. Her own personal experiences in helping others is a testament to how strongly she feels about this cause. “Doris Martinez opened the door to hope and healing, her heroism guiding me through the darkest days of my recovery, and I will forever be grateful for her unwavering care that nursed me back to life after my accident,” says Florence Bruner.
Central to Cuidado Casero Foundation’s mission is its scholarship program, designed to support Spanish-speaking nursing students in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The rigorous selection process begins with the opening of nursing scholarship applications in September, culminating in face-to-face interviews with the scholarship committee and the presentation of awards at the Annual Scholarship Awards and Fundraiser Gala in June.
To read the full article, click on the cover of the February 2024 issue.
