Faculty Lead for Health Education & Civic Engagement, AltaMed



Though Dr. Ilan Shapiro has only been with AltaMed since 2016, he has already made a significant impact on the organization and the greater communities it serves. Dr. Shapiro is a tireless advocate for health care equality, with a deep affinity for innovation and public health policy, especially relating to the Latino population.

Currently, Dr. Shapiro serves as AltaMed’s Medical Director of Health Education and Wellness, helping to create and implement programs and services that expand access to care and improve outcomes for the community. Between 2016–2017, he also served as Medical Director for Behavioral Health, and was instrumental in strengthening the practice and expanding AltaMed’s offerings.

One of his biggest accomplishments at AltaMed has been the development of a dedicated AltaMed health and wellness facility. The center uses the latest technology, as well as traditional evidence-based principles and a hands-on approach, to teach members healthy habits relating to nutrition, fitness, and chronic condition management. The center, located in Santa Ana, will serve as a prototype for future sites in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Dr. Shapiro’s background includes award-winning public health work, often on the international stage. After graduating as Honorary Valedictorian with his medical degree, he worked for the Mexican Secretary of Health as the liaison between Mexico and the World Health Organization (WHO). He has created binational public health programs to improve the health of Hispanic communities on both sides of the border. In 2011, he was invited to join the White House Hispanic Policy Group and help educate and raise awareness for the Affordable Care Act. Dr. Shapiro is also a recent recipient of the Othli Award, an honor presented by the Consul of Mexico to recognize individuals working to improve the lives of Mexican nationals living in the United States and abroad.

Prior to joining AltaMed, Dr. Shapiro held numerous health and leadership roles that focused on traditionally underserved communities. He spent five years working with migratory agricultural workers’ families and the homeless in Southwest Florida and as a pediatric resident at Mount Sinai Children’s Hospital in Chicago. He believes these roles sparked his passion for meaningful, community-focused work.

In addition to his work at AltaMed, Dr. Shapiro serves on the Board of Governors at L.A. Care Health Plan. He currently acts as the regional director for the National Hispanic Medical Association.