About Us – The leap center

The Healthcare Learning and Performance (LEAP) Center is a nonprofit organization improving health outcomes in underserved communities through education, equity, and local capacity building.

At the LEAP Center, we don’t believe location should dictate health outcomes. We equip local communities to take an active role as architects of their own well-being, engaging with healthcare providers and expecting mothers

Our Mission

To enhance health outcomes in communities experiencing limited access to quality
healthcare by supporting local capacity, advancing inclusive practices, and increasing
availability of quality, and appropriate care.

Our Vision

A society where everyone experiences quality and accessible healthcare.

Our Values:

Purpose-Driven Action

We are committed to addressing health challenges with urgency and determination.

Local Capacity Development

We engage and support communities to play a leading role in enhancing health outcomes.

Innovation

We pursue adaptable, evidence-informed solutions that respond to evolving health needs.

Lifelong Learning

We maintain a learning mindset, regularly assessing and refining our methods to ensure impact.

Inclusive Engagement

We co-design solutions with stakeholders to be accessible, practical, and mindful of different lived experiences and barriers to care.

Our Board of Directors

At The LEAP Center, our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in guiding our vision, shaping strategic direction, and ensuring our mission meets the needs of the communities we serve.

Armando Martinez

CEO/Founder

Dr. Armando Martínez, Founder and CEO of The LEAP Center, is a globally experienced physician and health leader dedicated to strengthening teams and expanding access to quality, culturally responsive care.

Dr. Armando Martínez is the Founder and CEO of The LEAP Center, bringing more than 25 years of experience in clinical practice, health services management, and higher education. His work spans Peru, the United Kingdom, and the United States, giving him a global perspective on how health systems function and how communities thrive. Known for his steady, people-focused leadership style, Dr. Martínez is dedicated to strengthening teams, improving organizational performance, and expanding access to quality, culturally responsive care. He has taught in the fields of Preventive Medicine, Public Health, and Health Services Management at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Martínez holds an MD, an MS in Occupational Medicine, and an MBA in Healthcare Administration and Policy. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Claudia Rodriguez

President

Claudia Rodriguez, MPA, is the Founder and Digital Marketing Strategist of The Social C, using her public service background and passion for mission-driven work to lead impactful marketing strategies that elevate organizational visibility and community engagement.

Claudia Rodriguez, MPA, is the Founder and Digital Marketing Strategist of The Social C, where she leads cross-functional teams in developing comprehensive marketing and communications strategies for a wide range of clients. With a Master of Public Administration and Policy from American University, she brings a strong foundation in public service and a deep passion for healthcare and nonprofit work. Claudia’s early roles—with Miami Dade County Animal Services, the Little Lighthouse Foundation, and the American Marketing Association at FIU—shaped her expertise in
audience engagement, brand storytelling, and mission-driven outreach. Her diverse skill set, strategic mindset, and commitment to meaningful impact make her a trusted partner for organizations seeking to elevate their visibility and strengthen their community presence.

Peggy Martin

Director

Peggy Martin, a lifelong Miamian and Clinical Liaison for the Miami Dade College Physician Assistant Program, is a service-driven leader dedicated to expanding access, opportunity, and community impact through more than 20 years of higher-education and civic engagement.

Peggy Martin is a lifelong Miamian and serves as the Clinical Liaison for the Miami Dade College Physician Assistant Program at the Medical Campus. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, she has built a career rooted in student support, program coordination, and strong community partnerships. Peggy’s leadership is service-driven, shaped by the values instilled by her parents and by her alma mater, Tuskegee University, where she learned that meaningful impact comes from action. She remains deeply involved in civic and campus engagement through the NAACP, Farm Share distributions, alumni recruiting, and multiple MDC committees. Passionate about uplifting her community, Peggy continues to dedicate her work to expanding access, opportunity, and high-quality service for all.

Wendy Ochoa

Director

Dr. Wendy Ochoa is an Assistant Professor and educational researcher dedicated to advancing the wellbeing of ethno-racially minoritized young children—particularly Latine families—through strengths-based, culturally informed studies that promote equitable early childhood practices.

Dr. Wendy Ochoa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Family Development at San Diego State University. Her work focuses on advancing the wellbeing of ethno-racially minoritized young children from low-income households, with a particular commitment to Latine families. As an educational researcher, she uses strengths-based and culturally informed frameworks to explore how parents’ socioeconomic backgrounds, languages, and identities shape their experiences raising children in the United States. Her research also examines the bilingual language development and classroom engagement of Dual Language Learners, contributing to more equitable and informed early childhood practices. Dr. Ochoa earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Irvine, and completed postdoctoral training at Tufts University.

Fabio Nascimiento

Treasurer

Fabio Nascimento is Chairperson of the School of Health Sciences at Miami Dade College, a collaborative and student-focused leader dedicated to advancing equitable healthcare education, workforce readiness, and academic excellence across diverse communities.

Fabio Nascimento serves as Chairperson of the School of Health Sciences at Miami Dade College, bringing more than a decade of experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, and student preparation for today’s healthcare workforce. With a background in biology and health administration, he has contributed to public and private universities across Miami, shaping programs that meet workforce needs and reflect the diversity of the community. Fabio’s leadership style is collaborative and student focused, grounded in his commitment to academic quality, workforce readiness, and equitable access to healthcare education. His career includes roles in Alzheimer disease research, laboratory operations, and curriculum innovation. He holds an AA from Miami Dade College, a BS in Biology, and an MHA in Health Administration. Fabio is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Cheri Petersen

Director

Cheri Petersen is a collaborative, equity-driven health leader with over 15 years of experience designing patient-centered strategies and cross-cultural partnerships that empower rural, indigenous, and marginalized communities across the U.S. and South America.

Cheri Petersen has dedicated more than 15 years to advancing health improvement, health equity, and community empowerment. She specializes in patient-centered strategies, design thinking, systems analysis, and performance learning, with a proven record of building collaborative, high impact teams in dynamic environments. Cheri is especially skilled at creating partnerships that bridge culture and language within rural, indigenous, and marginalized communities across the United States and South America.
A positive and energetic leader, she champions trauma-informed approaches, social justice, and holistic community engagement. Her experience spans healthcare operations, program oversight, and innovative solutions addressing social determinants of health. Cheri holds a BS in Health Sciences from Purdue University and an MS in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University. She lives in Washington State and continues to engage in regional and global initiatives focused on equity, healthy aging, chronic conditions, and maternal and child health.

Going Beyond Maternal Health

Since The LEAP Center was founded in 2015, we have pursued a singular, vital mission: enhancing patient safety and optimizing healthcare delivery. We understand the vastness and complexity of this challenge, yet remain relentlessly optimistic. Through education, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to capacity building, we’ve witnessed tangible progress and continue to strive for more.

Our Work