Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Morán.
Hi Alexandra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey with Thriving Juntos (Spanglish for Thriving Together) really began during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, I was working within healthcare and saw firsthand how quickly things were changing—and how much communities needed clear, reliable information they could actually trust AND implement.
As a physician who worked in the emergency room in Ecuador, I had already seen the limitations of what we can do once someone is already sick—and how critical prevention truly is. That perspective stayed with me, and during COVID, it became even more clear.
I came to Maryland initially for what was meant to be a short break—to visit my best friend. But while I was here, I read an article about the disproportionate impact COVID was having on Black and Latino communities. As a Latina, with Spanish as my first language, I felt a deep responsibility to help. I reached out offering to volunteer—and that moment ended up changing everything. What was supposed to be temporary turned into me staying for good.
In 2020, as the pandemic shifted everything, I started showing up in communities across Maryland—providing education on COVID, addressing misinformation, and later supporting vaccine efforts. I wasn’t just going once—I kept going back, again and again. Every time there was a new update, a new question, a new concern—I was there.
And through that consistency, I built something incredibly important: trust.
By 2021, those relationships opened the door to deeper conversations. What started as COVID education naturally grew into discussions around chronic disease prevention—diabetes, hypertension, nutrition, mental health and overall well-being. People weren’t just looking for information anymore—they were looking for guidance that felt real, culturally relevant, and connected to their everyday lives.
That’s where the pivot happened and everything clicked.
In 2023, Thriving Juntos was born out of that need—to take prevention beyond traditional spaces and bring it directly into communities, in a way that centers culture, connection, and trust.
Today, we work across Maryland partnering with communities to deliver health education that is practical, culturally grounded, and rooted in real relationships—because prevention works best when people feel seen, understood, and supported.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The need is huge—we see it every day—but the resources and financial support don’t always match that need, which can make growth challenging.
And on a personal level, I always joke that I went from med school to business school overnight. No one really prepares you for everything that comes with building and running a business—operations, finances, strategy—so it’s been an adventure learning the ropes along the way.
That said, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the support available here. There are amazing resources through the state and the city that have been instrumental in helping me build and structure Thriving Juntos in a sustainable way.
At the end of the day, this work is deeply personal to me. It’s something I’ve poured my heart into because I’ve seen the impact it can have. And even through the challenges, that purpose is what keeps me going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Thriving Juntos, we focus on community-centered health education and consulting, with a strong emphasis on prevention and chronic disease management. We partner with schools, community organizations, healthcare systems, and faith-based groups to deliver workshops and programs that are practical, interactive, and culturally grounded.
What we specialize in is taking evidence-based health information and making it real for people—connecting it to their daily lives, their culture, their food, their families. Whether it’s diabetes prevention, nutrition, mental well-being, or overall lifestyle changes, our goal is to meet people where they are and give them tools they can actually use.
That means if we’re talking about hypertension and salt, I’m not just giving you numbers—I’m showing you how to make your own low-salt version of Old Bay, how to keep the flavor, how to make it fit into your Baltimore everyday life.
I think what we’re most known for is how we show up. We don’t just deliver information—we build relationships. A lot of our work comes from being present in the community, listening first, and then creating something together that feels relevant and respectful.
What I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built. From COVID education to now having deeper conversations around chronic disease and well-being, that trust has allowed us to grow alongside the communities we serve.
What really sets us apart is that blend of clinical expertise and cultural connection. As a physician and a public health professional, I bring the science—but as a Latina working closely within diverse communities, I also understand the importance of culture, language, and lived experience. That combination allows us to bridge a gap that often exists in healthcare—making prevention not just accessible, but meaningful.
Ultimately, our work is about helping people feel seen, understood, and empowered to take control of their health—and doing it together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think there’s always an element of luck—but I also believe you create your own opportunities by showing up consistently and being willing to act when those moments come.
In my case, there were definitely moments that felt like luck—being in Maryland at the right time, reading that article, deciding to reach out and offer help. But those moments only turned into something meaningful because I followed through, stayed present, and kept showing up.
I also feel incredibly lucky to have a strong support system—my husband, my family and friends who have encouraged me along the way. Having people who believe in you makes a big difference, especially when you’re building something from the ground up.
I’ve also been fortunate to have mentors and leaders within the healthcare and public health space who have guided me—people who supported my ideas, challenged me to think bigger, and helped me navigate both the clinical and community sides of this work.
There have also been amazing partners—community organizations, schools, faith leaders, and healthcare teams—who didn’t just invite me in, but truly collaborated. They helped shape programs, provided feedback, and made sure the work stayed relevant and impactful.
So yes, there’s been luck—but it’s really been a combination of timing, intention, strong relationships, and a lot of consistent effort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thrivingjuntos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexamoranmd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexamoranmd/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriving-juntos-llc/
