Dr. Lilia Cervantes is a professor in the Department of Medicine and the Director of Immigrant Research at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She earned her bachelor's degree, medical degree, residency in internal medicine, and Master of Science in Clinical Science at the University of Colorado. Dr. Cervantes is recognized for pioneering community participatory research that has resulted in transformative changes to Medicaid payment policies and healthcare regulations in Colorado, enabling uninsured immigrants with kidney failure to access essential services such as maintenance dialysis, home dialysis, outpatient COVID-19 care, and, more recently, treatment for chronic conditions. By partnering with community members, she has gained insights into the social and structural challenges faced by racial and ethnic minoritized individuals. Dr. Cervantes also developed and evaluated community-based clinical interventions employing community health workers to tackle kidney health disparities. Dr. Cervantes is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and a member of 5 civic and community boards. Dr. Cervantes has received numerous accolades for her research and community service, including the 2024 Bernard Lown Award for Social Responsibility.