Our Providers
Our clinical staff is at the heart and soul of what Esperanza does—reaching out to medically underserved residents throughout the Southwest Side of Chicago. In 2010, we provided 34,000+ visits to more than 8,000 individuals.
All of our full-time providers and all of our clinical staff are bilingual and bicultural. Our services and programs are carefully tailored to the needs and culture of the communities we serve.
Learn more about our providers by searching by practice.
Family Medicine
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Yolanda Cardenas, MD
Yolanda Cardenas, MD
Family Medicine
Dr. Cardenas is a board-certified family practitioner who has worked on Chicago's West Side since completing her residency at West Suburban Medical Center in 2004. She is a graduate of the Rush University School of Medicine.
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Maria Silva, MD
Maria Silva, MD
Family Medicine
Dr. Silva is a family practice physician who has worked at Esperanza since it was founded in 2004. A native of Cali, Colombia, she attended medical school at the University of Illinois completed a family practice residency at Cook County Hospital. Prior to joining Esperanza, Dr. Silva worked on staff at Weiss Memorial Hospital, Norwegian American Hospital, Saint Elizabeth Hospital and Saint Anthony Hospital Health Affiliates, all in Chicago.
“I love working here because of the teams we have created to provide care. Everyone is so dedicated. No matter who our patient is, staff members from the front door all the way up to administration are doing everything they can to put his or her first.”
Internal Medicine
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Diego Remolina, MD
Diego Remolina, MD
Internal Medicine
Dr. Remolina, a native of Bucaramanga, Colombia, attended Pontificia Javeriana University School of Medicine in Bogota. He completed an internal medicine residency at Michael Reese Hospital/University of Illinois and a geriatrics residency at Rush University Medical Center.
Today, Dr. Remolina is board-certified in both internal medicine and geriatrics. He has presented several poster sessions at American Geriatric Society meetings and has a special interest and training in pain management. Other professional interests include smoking cessation, Alzheimer’s disease and end-of-life care.
“I have always wanted to accompany people in order to help them prevent health problems, and to give good, usable recommendations for both acute and chronic health issues. I have always believed that before anything else, doctors are people, and if we can generate confidence in our patients, we can extend our knowledge and training in order to achieve a healthier community.”
Pediatric Nephrology
Pediatrics
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Alejandro Clavier, MD, MPH
Alejandro Clavier, MD, MPH
Pediatrics
Alejandro Clavier, MD, MPH, is a pediatrician and Esperanza’s Medical Director. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Clavier completed his residency at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago and subsequently taught there for eight years. His professional interests include after-hours care and health issues in the Latino community.
“We gain so much from taking care of entire families here. We see the children grow and get to know their parents, too. We take that trust very seriously.”
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Lisa Messinger, MD
Lisa Messinger, MD
Pediatrics
Texas native Dr. Lisa Messinger attended medical school at the University of Texas at Galveston. In 2002, she completed a pediatrics residency at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago. She has worked on Chicago’s West Side in the Latino community throughout her career and is interested in community pediatrics, child advocacy and alternative and complementary medicine.
Before attending medical school, Dr. Messinger worked as a medical technologist at two Texas hospitals. Now a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, she enjoys yoga, piano and organic gardening in her spare time.
“Esperanza is what a community health center should be! We get to offer so many services for our patients, from developmental screenings to early literacy programs. It's great to feel like everyday we make a difference in the lives of those we serve!”
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Ester Kirov, MD*
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Tanveer Y. Shamsi, MD*
Social Work
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Sonia Cruz, LCSW
Sonia Cruz, LCSW
Social Work
Sonia provides mental health care at Esperanza, with a special focus on service to women and girls. She grew up in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood and trained at the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“Being a social worker gives me the opportunity to work with people who have a lot of emotional stress. These problems can affect their health and quality of life. I try to listen, offer education, help and orientation so that they can gain life skills and overcome their personal barriers. I love working with the community at Esperanza because having a mind, body, and emotions that all function well together is very important in leading a healthier life. I love hearing a patient tell me “I feel so relaxed after speaking with you.’”
Women’s Health/Obstetrics
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Christina Tanner, CNM
Christina Tanner, CNM
Women’s Health/Obstetrics
After finishing her nursing studies at Loyola University Chicago, Christina worked as an obstetrics nurse at Chicago’s Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. She then completed a master of science in the nurse-midwifery program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Before joining Esperanza, Christina led a 14-member midwifery team as director of midwifery services at Access Community Health Network.
“I became a midwife because I wanted to work with underserved women. I most enjoy the family atmosphere at Esperanza and have never worked at a clinic where staff and patients so enjoy each other’s company. But mostly I’m awed by my patients’ bravery, resilience and kindness.”
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Tracy Vera, MD
Tracy Vera, MD
Women’s Health/Obstetrics
Dr. Vera grew up in Kansas and graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She completed residency training as an obstetrician/gynecologist at Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago.
Dr. Vera has privileges at Saint Anthony Hospital. She is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a junior fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
“I consider myself privileged to work with patients in both their times of greatest joy and of significant challenges. My respect for the women I serve is nearly unbounded. I can’t imagine working anywhere else.”
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Maria Reyes, CNM*
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
*Part time staff member.
