There is something truly special about San Antonio that continues to surprise people who move here — myself included.
I grew up in a small town where life was slow-paced, neighbors knew one another, and community was everything. Later, I experienced life in a mid-sized college town, with the energy of public transportation, job opportunities, and events happening year-round. I also had the privilege of living in some of the nation’s largest cities — Chicago and New York — places that take great pride in their history, cultural richness, and world-class experiences.
As a native Texan, I thought I knew San Antonio from my many visits and pass-throughs. But when I moved here nearly ten years ago, I discovered something remarkable: the seventh-largest city in the country somehow carries the heart of a small town. San Antonio has all the amenities, experiences, and historical pride of the other places I’ve lived — yet it wraps them in the warmth of a community that feels deeply connected.
There really is no better way to describe it: San Antonio just feels like home. Here, people look out for one another. They celebrate each other’s successes. They carry forward a culture of uplifting one another, always striving to do better — not just for themselves, but for all of us.
It’s this very spirit that inspired our 30 OVER 30 Recognition and Anniversary Celebration. We wanted to honor the people and organizations who embody what makes San Antonio so unique — those who put community first, who lead with compassion, and who make our city not only bigger, but better, for generations to come.
When Community First Health Plans (Community First) was founded by University Health 30 years ago, its purpose was clear: to serve the people of Bexar and the seven surrounding counties by ensuring access to quality, affordable health care, and by strengthening the social fabric that helps families thrive. While health is at the core of what we do, our mission has always extended far beyond the walls of clinics and hospitals. True community health depends on the collective efforts of many — nonprofit organizations, grassroots leaders, educators, and advocates — who each play a role in creating a healthier, more connected city.
That’s why recognizing community organizations is not just a nice gesture for Community First. It’s a responsibility, a way to honor those who walk alongside us in improving lives, and a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our work since day one.
In every corner of our service delivery area, organizations large and small, are addressing needs that affect health and well-being: early childhood development, housing security, mobility assistance, food access, mental health support, and much more. These are issues that no single entity can tackle alone. By recognizing organizations that are already making a difference, Community First highlights a powerful truth: that service is most impactful when it is shared.
Celebrating these groups elevates the idea that collaboration drives real change. It shows our members and the broader community that we see and value the work being done outside of the traditional health system — work that ultimately makes it possible for families to live healthier, more dignified lives.
Recognition is also about strengthening relationships. When Community First shines a spotlight on local organizations, we’re not just saying “thank you.” We’re building bridges that lead to deeper collaboration and innovation. Many of the organizations honored through our 30 Over 30 Award, for example, are long-time partners in addressing nonmedical drivers of health that shape health outcomes.
For Community First, recognizing community organizations is also about staying true to our own identity. Our very name reflects the commitment to put people and communities first. Honoring those who embody the same values ensures that our actions match our words.
As we celebrated our 30th anniversary with our 30 Over 30 Award, we were intentional about tying the recognition back to our roots. The founders of Community First believed that health care should be community-driven, inclusive, and accessible. By honoring 30 organizations and individuals who live out those principles today, we are carrying forward the original vision of what Community First was meant to be.
Community First’s recognition of community organizations is not the end of the story; it’s an invitation to keep writing it together. Each award, each public thank-you, each spotlighted story is a call to action: to keep serving, keep collaborating, and keep striving for a San Antonio where health and opportunity are within reach for everyone.
We invite you to learn more about the 30 OVER 30 awardees on our website. Every honoree links back to their own organizational page where you can offer your support through financial contributions, creating your own partnerships, or simply sharing who they are with your personal and business networks. It’s just another way that San Antonians can look out for each other but putting our Community First.
THE VOICE:
Judy Razo
Judy has over 22 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and business development. She is known for leading continuously improved business performance through branding and communications, specializing in hard-to-reach communities. Her experience encompasses strategic planning, community engagement, creative development, process improvement, brand management, and forward-thinking leadership in a diverse team environment. Judy joined Community First Health Plans in 2018. Judy has dedicated her career to empowering communities, specifically underserved populations, through her communications and marketing work. Prior to joining Community First, Judy served in a director role for companies such as University of Illinois at Chicago, SPC Educational Solutions, New Futuro, and the Austin Children’s Museum. Through her work in advertising with agencies such as ThinkStreet Advertising and The Kaplan Thaler Group, Judy has also worked with clients such as the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Secretary of State, Lifetime Movie Network, Energy Providers of Southern California, Velocity Credit Union, and more. Judy has a bachelor’s degree in International Business from St. Edward’s University and a master’s degree in Advertising and Communications from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also a graduate from the world-renowned Texas Creative advertising creative portfolio program and she’s a McNair Scholar, a 4A’s MAIP Fellow, and a CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program) Scholar.