Preloading

A Center That Provides Healthcare for Immigrant Families in Need

Season 1
Aired on 02/11/2017 | CC tv-14
Working as a young nurse, Maria Gomez saw that many members of her community, especially recently arrived immigrants, were not receiving the care they needed. She started Mary's Center to offer comprehensive healthcare to anyone in need, regardless of circumstance. What began as a small basement clinic serving 200 people has now grown to six locations across the metro D.C. area that serve more than 40,000 men, women and children.

In the above video, one of the center's patients, Ana Chavez, shares how Mary's Center helped her as a teenager and now helps her as a new mom. "You feel comfortable with the doctor, you feel comfortable that they're going to help you," she says.

OWN's uplifting docuseries The Hero Effect brings to life the stories of ordinary individuals who are making extraordinary differences in their communities. It airs monthly on Saturdays at 10 a.m. ET/PT.