Pedro Cons joined Adelante Healthcare just as the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and it forced him to hit the ground running.
Cons helped guide the organization to provide frontline support for COVID-19 testing, including more than 70 vaccine events and administering over 6,500 vaccines. The response reinforced why Adelante brought on Cons in the first place.
“The board and CEO search committee were intentional in identifying the need for someone with both deep experience in our community and overseeing a diverse book of business,” the company said. “Our search led us to Pedro, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. In his time with Adelante, he has overseen a period of explosive growth, increasing staffing by close to 20% while modernizing processes and procedures.”
Adelante Healthcare is a leader in the healthcare industry in Arizona, operating on a belief in sustainable health initiatives. The mission took shape 40 years ago in the cotton fields and citrus groves of rural Maricopa County, where a small group of healthcare professionals formed Clinica Adelante to serve the needs of farmworkers in the area. Since then, the mission has evolved to serve the larger community. Now known as Adelante Healthcare, the company operates nine health centers throughout Arizona, offering a wide array of services to patients of all economic backgrounds.
Cons previously served as the executive vice president of integrated health and human services for Chicanos Por La Causa. He was with CPLC for more than 14 years in a variety of roles and brought more than 25 years of community-focused nonprofit and for-profit program experience to Adelante.
Cons credits part of his success to creating a document called My Leadership Point of View. “Ken Blanchard, in his book ‘Leading at a Higher Level’ addresses developing a leadership point of view that reflects your journey, your values, your goals and your expectations,” Cons said. “I wrote my leadership point of view over 15 years ago and still use it today. It has added a focus to my leadership journey.”
As part of Adelante’s overall revenue growth and expansion, Adelante was awarded more than $15 million in 2020–2021 in grant funding. One notable addition came from the Federal Communications Commission, which announced the national recipients of its Round 2 COVID-19 Telehealth Program. In Phoenix, Adelante Healthcare was awarded $868,857 toward purchasing telehealth equipment, including virtual visitation software, to aid in caring for Phoenix’s most vulnerable communities.
“Pedro Cons is a multifaceted individual bringing a potent blend of innovation, strategic thinking and true humility,” his team said. “He is the consummate ‘doer’ who understands the plight of the community he serves and strives to create a structure for access without barriers or unnecessary red tape.”
