Five Questions With Blanca Toso, DO
Highlighting ACU Members Advancing Care in Underserved Communities
As part of ACU’s Five Questions With… spotlight series, we’re highlighting the dedicated ACU Members whose leadership and lived experience help advance compassionate, community-centered care. This series offers a closer look at the people behind the work, what motivates them, what they’ve learned, and why serving underserved communities remains at the heart of their careers.
In this edition, we’re honored to feature Blanca Toso, DO, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Unity Health Care and a member of ACU’s Membership Committee. A physician and National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholar, Dr. Toso brings nearly two decades of experience caring for underserved populations and leading health center teams with empathy, purpose, and vision.
Tell Us About Yourself
I completed my Internal Medicine residency at Georgetown University Hospital, and for the past 18.5 years I have served at Unity Health Care, caring for patients at one of Unity’s largest health centers and providing essential services to a predominantly Latino community. My leadership journey at Unity spans multiple roles, from Associate Medical Director to Medical Director, and now Associate Chief Medical Officer, giving me a deep understanding of both the frontline clinical experience and strategic organizational leadership. As a Latina immigrant, I bring insight and empathy to my work, and I am committed to supporting our clinicians just as much as our patients, working alongside them, building collaborative teams, and developing practical solutions that make care better and more sustainable.
I am also pursuing a Master of Health Administration at George Mason University to further expand my ability to influence system-level improvements in community healthcare.
Why Did You Choose to Focus on Caring for Underserved Communities?
My personal journey as an immigrant profoundly shaped my commitment to this work. I grew up receiving care at a community health center, navigating language barriers, financial limitations, and the uncertainty that many immigrant families experience when accessing healthcare in the United States. Coming from a country marked by instability and limited opportunities, I understand what it means to seek safety, belonging, and support in a new environment. Those experiences instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a belief that healthcare should be welcoming and accessible for all, especially for those who often feel unseen or unheard within the system.
What Motivates You in Your Day-to-Day Work?
I am motivated by the meaningful impact of incremental progress–a provider feeling supported, a workflow becoming easier, a patient receiving timely care. I give my full effort to anyone who needs help, and I don’t view this work as exhausting; I see every improvement as a win that energizes and drives me forward. My CliftonStrengths– Achiever, Learner, Harmony, Discipline, and Competition shape my approach to leadership and daily work. I work hard, continuously learn, foster collaboration, bring structure when things are complex, and push toward ambitious goals that elevate both patient care and provider wellbeing.
“I am motivated by the meaningful impact of incremental progress, a provider feeling supported, a workflow becoming easier, a patient receiving timely care.”
What Does ACU Mean to You?
ACU represents both a professional home and a shared mission. Its focus on accessible and compassionate care aligns deeply with the work I have been dedicated to for the past 18 years. Being part of ACU, especially as a member of the Membership Committee, has opened the door for me to be more actively involved, contribute my perspective, and connect with others who share the same values and commitment to underserved populations. ACU gives me an opportunity to learn from others, collaborate across disciplines and regions, and be part of a network that not only advocates for accessible, quality healthcare for all, but actively builds the community, partnerships, and collective voice needed to make that vision a reality.
What Would You Like People to Know About Underserved Communities and Their Health Needs?
Underserved communities face complex and intersecting health-related needs, including housing instability, food insecurity, limited access to transportation, financial barriers, and reduced access to health education. These challenges affect people across all ethnicities, backgrounds, and geographies, not only Latino populations. It is essential that we approach these communities with empathy, sensitivity, and a willingness to truly listen to their experiences. When we acknowledge the structural barriers they face and design care that respects their lived realities, we create conditions where engagement improves, trust strengthens, and health outcomes meaningfully rise.
“When we acknowledge the structural barriers underserved communities face and design care that respects their lived realities, we create conditions where engagement improves, trust strengthens, and health outcomes meaningfully rise.”
Get Involved with ACU
Dr. Toso’s story reflects the leadership, commitment, and lived experience that drive ACU’s mission forward. Through its trainings, advocacy, and professional community, ACU brings together clinicians and leaders dedicated to advancing access to quality, compassionate care for underserved populations.
Interested in getting involved with ACU? Learn more about membership, explore benefits, and discover opportunities to connect, lead, and grow within the ACU community.
