Meet Our Providers

Graciela Cando, MD is a board-certified family medicine physician at La Clínica del Pueblo, where she is proud to care for the community's Spanish- and English-speaking patients. She earned her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and licensed to practice across multiple states, reflecting her commitment to reaching patients wherever they are. Dr. Cando has five years of experience with a focus on community health, sexual and reproductive health, and quality improvement. Her aim is to make every visit approachable and ensure patients are fully informed, regardless of which language they speak. Outside the clinic, she enjoys trying new foods, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and cozying up with a good book. 

Paula Latortue Albino, MD (she/her/ella) is a trilingual, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist dedicated to evidence-based and high-quality care. She is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Boston Medical Center. Dr Latortue has experience working in academic centers and community health centers, providing prenatal and postpartum care, family planning services, performing gynecologic procedures, and attending to patients experiencing problems such as abnormal uterine bleeding, painful periods, postmenopausal bleeding, PMOS/PCOS and fibroids. She is a native Spanish speaker and is also fluent in French. 

Dr. Roberts is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Cummings Graduate Institute (CGI) and has worked for over 17 years as a clinician, clinical supervisor, and executive leader in various levels of co-occurring care treating substance use and mental health disorders. He is certified in Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for treatment of PTSD. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota and Metropolitan State University. Dr. Roberts oversees our Mental Health, Substance Use, and school-based emotional wellness programs.

Dr. Chaudhry (she/her/ella) is a board-certified general internist and primary care physician with over twenty years of clinical, community health, and health systems experience, including serving in Chief Medical Officer and Chief Executive Officer roles in community health settings. Previously, as a postdoctoral fellow and faculty member at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Chaudhry's research and clinical care focused on the integration of treatment for substance use disorders into HIV primary care. She later served as Chief Medical Officer at Chase Brexton Health Care, and Interim President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Maryland. In recent years, she has developed a focus on digital health and ways it can be used to expand access to high-quality care and enhance the care experience. She is the founder and CEO of Sunny, an organization dedicated to expanding access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. Dr. Chaudhry received her medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine and holds both a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. For the past 8 years she has been living with her family in Quito, Ecuador, and has recently relocated back to the United States. Dr. Chaudhry’s decades in clinical care and community health and a deep commitment to health equity are qualities that align seamlessly with La Clínica del Pueblo’s mission, vision, and values.

Sarah Bottomley is a bilingual (Spanish and English) nurse practitioner with over ten years of experience in primary care. She holds dual certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, and specializes in preventative health, chronic disease management, and women's health. She strives to empower her patients to live their best lives through healthy lifestyles and regular screenings.

Sarah spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic before enrolling in graduate school. She earned her MSN from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, then practiced in San Francisco for five years. Sarah is thrilled to be back in the DC area where she grew up and to serve the vibrant community at La Clínica del Pueblo. In her free time, she loves cooking, pottery, and hiking in Rock Creek Park with her husband, two children, and dog.

Dr. Fernando Delgado is a bilingual internist dedicated to serving the Latino community of the DMV area. He earned his medical degree from the School of Medicine at the Central University of Ecuador in Quito. He later moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where he completed advanced postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Nephrology at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Since completing his specialty training, Dr. Delgado has focused his practice on internal medicine, drawing on nearly four decades of clinical experience. Fluent in Spanish and English, he is known for building trusted, culturally sensitive relationships with his patients and ensuring they fully understand their diagnoses and treatment plans. Dr. Delgado is proud to be a member of the medical staff at La Clínica del Pueblo, where he continues his lifelong commitment to expanding healthcare access for the Latino community with professionalism, respect, and compassion.

Maddy Moore (she/ella) is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been at La Clínica del Pueblo since 2022. She received her Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. Maddy enjoys working with patients of all ages and brings an integrative and flexible approach to therapy. She is committed to meeting patients with compassion as they face challenges and transitions. Her practice combines several modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, narrative therapy, and mindfulness strategies.

In her free time, she enjoys getting outside in nature, reading fiction, and baking desserts.

Meet Susana (Susy) Molina, a first-generation Salvadoran and bilingual therapist who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Susana is passionate about providing accessible, bilingual, and culturally responsive care that helps clients feel seen, heard, and deeply understood. She provides therapeutic services through La Clínica del Pueblo’s school-based program and outpatient mental health program. She has experience working with a wide range of clients, from elementary school-aged children to adults of all ages. Through individual and group therapy, Susana provides comprehensive emotional and therapeutic support to both her clients and their families. For nearly eight years at La Clínica del Pueblo, she has been committed to creating a safe, trauma-informed, warm and welcoming environment where individuals and families can navigate life’s challenges with compassion and support. She is honored to serve her community while helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and normalize seeking care.

Jacqueline Franco is a bilingual (Spanish/English) mental health therapist providing compassionate, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science–Psychology and Master of Social Work from Ana G. Méndez University–Florida Campus and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education with a concentration in teaching, curriculum, and learning environments.

Jacqueline believes education and mental health share the same purpose: empowering people to heal, learn, and thrive. She has experience providing school-based and community mental health services to culturally diverse populations, with a special commitment to immigrant families and LGBTQ+ communities. Her professional training includes trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, suicide prevention, resilience, ethics, cultural competence, GSRD, and evidence-based interventions.

Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, grief, identity development, life transitions, and resilience. Jacqueline believes therapy is a collaborative partnership that empowers clients to build on their strengths and create meaningful, lasting change.

Outside of work, Jackie enjoys hiking, writing poetry, walking dogs, taking acting classes, and lifelong learning.

Sophia King is a dedicated mental health therapist who strives to create a safe, supportive environment for her clients to communicate in their preferred language(s) without fear of judgement. Bilingual in Spanish and English, she is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) since 2024 after graduating from the School of Social Work at University of Maryland, Baltimore. She has experience working with children, teenagers, adults, and families both virtually and in-person at our clinical sites and within our school-based program.

Sophia specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and issues with hyperactivity and attention difficulties by approaching clients’ life experiences with compassion to support healing and growth. She utilizes mindfulness techniques, trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and child-centered play therapy techniques to address clients’ goals for improved well-being and satisfaction with life through acquisition of effective coping skills, boosted awareness of their personal strengths and increased self-acceptance.

Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, paddling on the lake with her paddleboard, and spending time with her family’s two dogs, Frankie and Declan.

Maira Mendoza is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor who provides compassionate, client-centered care to individuals and families. She is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to explore their experiences, build resilience, and move toward meaningful change.

Maira’s therapeutic approach is collaborative, warm, and goal-oriented. She recognizes that each client brings unique strengths, needs, and life experiences to the counseling process. Together, we will identify meaningful goals and develop personalized strategies that support healing, strengthen coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and develop practical strategies, growth, and overall well-being.

Maira supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, communication challenges, life transitions, and other behavioral health concerns. Her clinical work focuses on helping clients increase self-awareness, strengthen relationships, enhance confidence, and create a greater sense of balance in daily life. Maira is passionate about walking alongside clients as they take steps toward emotional wellness and lasting personal growth.

Alma V. Hamar, PhD, LPC, LCPC, is a licensed professional therapist with over two decades of experience providing compassionate, personalized therapeutic care. She is dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic environment where children, adolescents, adults, and families can develop emotional wellness, resilience, and personal growth through life’s challenges.

She specializes in helping individuals navigate depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, adjustment, life transitions and relationship challenges. Her therapeutic approach integrates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, psychoeducation and family systems principles to provide evidence-informed care. As a bilingual clinician, she tailors treatment to each individual’s unique needs while empowering clients to achieve meaningful and lasting change.

One of her greatest passions is serving as a trusted resource for her clients, helping them better understand themselves, strengthen relationships, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence and hope. In her spare time, she loves reading poetry and traveling with family.

Oscar Flores is the Clinical Mental Health Manager with more than 12 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health services to diverse communities. In his current role, he oversees the organization’s mental health program, providing clinical leadership, operational oversight, and supervision to the mental health team.

Oscar has extensive experience conducting psychosocial assessments, diagnosing and treating anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders, and developing individualized treatment plans. He is committed to providing high-quality, culturally responsive, person-centered care that supports each client’s journey toward improved mental health and well-being.

Dr. Berlin is a bilingual, board-certified adult psychiatrist who has worked at La Clínica del Pueblo since 2012. Her medical degree is from Georgetown University, and she completed her residency training at George Washington University, where she is on the clinical faculty. She manages all types of psychiatric conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and women's mental health across the lifespan, including premenstrual, postpartum, and perimenopausal changes, as well as the management of mental health for patients with complex medical illness. She enjoys teaching and collaborating with primary care providers and therapists to provide comprehensive care for the La Clínica del Pueblo community.

Dr. Maria Luisa Marquez, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric leader with more than 30 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based, relationship-centered care from birth through adolescence. She earned her medical degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, and completed her pediatric internship, residency, and chief residency at Georgetown University Hospital. Her career has included clinical and academic roles at Georgetown and other leading healthcare institutions.

As Director of Pediatrics, Dr. Marquez practices a whole-child approach guided by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Bright Futures recommendations, integrating preventive care, child development, behavioral and mental health, relational health, and social drivers of health. She believes every pediatric encounter is an opportunity to strengthen the parent-child relationship, build resilience, identify concerns early, and help children and families thrive.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, Dr. Marquez provides culturally sensitive and responsive care grounded in compassion, cultural humility, deep listening, and respect for each family’s values, traditions, experiences, and strengths.

Dr. Peter J. Gergen is a bilingual, board-certified Pediatrician at La Clínica del Pueblo. He earned his MD at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and completed his Pediatric residency at the University of Washington, Seattle. A Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), Dr. Gergen provides care for patients from birth through age 21 years.

His practice covers the full spectrum of pediatric medicine, including growth and development, vaccinations, behavioral health, and the management of both acute and chronic illnesses. Dr. Gergen strongly believes in a holistic approach to medicine and actively integrates the wide range of multidisciplinary services offered at La Clínica del Pueblo into his clinical practice.

Dr. Chintan Patel is a board-certified pediatrician and healthcare executive with over 10 years of experience, dedicated to driving clinical excellence, strategic leadership, and healthcare innovation. Having served as a Chief Medical Officer, his background spans leading multidisciplinary teams, optimizing patient care delivery, and managing complex, organization-wide initiatives. His passion is health IT and all things related to informatics. As the world of health IT evolves, he is eager to learn how it can help patients care for themselves and help clinicians reduce burden.

Dr. Patel grew up in Maryland and loves everything that Maryland has to offer. Outside of work, he values quality time spent traveling and exploring new destinations with his wife and family, as well as designing and managing home renovation projects. He loves watching movies and listening to all kinds of music. Currently, he is working on publishing a children’s book. Whether leading clinical teams, evaluating investments, or crafting stories, he approaches every endeavor with a commitment to growth and meaningful impact.

Dr. Joshua Kolko joined La Clínica del Pueblo in 2007 where he has felt at home ever since. He provides full spectrum family medical care for adults, children, and newborns, and is particularly invested in the management of diabetes and hypertension in vulnerable communities. Dr. Kolko collaborated with the Community Health Action department to lay the groundwork for LCDP’s programs in diabetes prevention and believes strongly in the role of health education to empower therapeutic lifestyle change.

As the former director of La Clínica del Pueblo’s prenatal care teaching clinic he mentored the next generation of family physicians from Howard University Hospital in the care of the expectant mother. Dr. Kolko stays active through Pilates and walking DC’s neighborhoods (not to mention up and down the stairs of the clinic), enjoys tasting new foods, and loves spending time in, under, or anywhere near water.

Dr. Kolko received his medical degree from University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his residency in family medicine with honors at Hennepin County Medical Center Family Practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

After graduating from Wake Forest University, Dr. Paul taught high school science prior to attending Vanderbilt University for medical school. He then completed residency at Johns Hopkins in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. He enjoys caring for patients of all ages and has additional training in HIV. Outside of clinic, he likes to run and roast coffee.

Ricardo Caldera, MD earned his medical degree from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN) and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Howard University Hospital. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based primary care to adults, with a special interest in HIV medicine and the comprehensive management of chronic medical conditions. Dr. Caldera is committed to partnering with patients to promote long-term health and improve quality of life through personalized, patient-centered care.