ElevateMeD Awards a Trailblazer Award to Pedro Cons
Pedro Cons to Receive ElevateMeD Trailblazer Award at Explosion of a Dream 2026
PHOENIX, AZ - ElevateMeD announces its sixth Trailblazer Award recipient, Mr. Pedro Cons. The ElevateMeD Trailblazer Award is awarded to individuals/organizations who are making extraordinary contributions within the world of healthcare.
Mr. Cons, a longtime champion for access to quality healthcare and community engagement, will be honored with the ElevateMeD Trailblazer Award at its upcoming Explosion of a Dream event on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at The Camby. He is recognized for his exceptional efforts to create pathways for the next generation of healthcare leaders and his longstanding commitment to improving health outcomes in the communities he serves.
“I am honored to be part of a group committed to advancing health equity and strengthening access to care for communities that have too often been underserved or overlooked as a member of the ElevateMeD Trailblazers.
This work reflects our shared commitment to providing compassionate, culturally responsive care that meets people where they are. It means addressing barriers to care, improving health literacy, building trust within our communities, and ensuring that every patient—regardless of background, language, income, or circumstance—has the opportunity to achieve better health.
By continuing to confront inequities, expand access, and lead with purpose, we help create a stronger, healthier, and more equitable future for all.”
About Pedro Cons
Pedro Cons
2026 ElevateMeD Trailblazer Award Honoree
Chief Executive Officer, Adelante Healthcare
Pedro Cons is Chief Executive Officer of Adelante Healthcare, a Federally Qualified Health Center with nine community health centers across Maricopa County. Since being named CEO in June 2020, he has led Adelante through a period of growth, service expansion, and organizational transformation, advancing the organization’s mission to cultivate health by supporting individuals and communities at every step of their healthcare journey. Under his leadership, Adelante continues to strengthen access to whole-person care, including adult and family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, nutrition services, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services, while serving more than 80,000 patients across the region.
Cons brings a unique combination of healthcare, human services, behavioral health, housing, workforce, and community development experience to his leadership. His approach emphasizes strategic partnerships, operational alignment, and equitable access to care, with a focus on addressing the broader needs that influence health and well-being.
Before joining Adelante, Cons spent more than 14 years with Chicanos Por La Causa, most recently as Executive Vice President of Integrated Health and Human Services. Cons holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in Professional Counseling, along with advanced graduate studies in school guidance counseling and marriage, family, and child therapy. He has also completed training in community mobilization and facilitation and participated in leadership development through the Kellogg Foundation Multicultural Leadership Institute, the Hispanic Leadership Institute, and Columbia Business School’s Senior Leaders Program.
An active nonprofit and community health leader, Cons has been recognized as a Titan 100 honoree and Hall of Fame inductee, selected as a Virginia G. Piper Fellow, and named a 2026 ElevateMeD Trailblazer Award honoree. He serves and engages with regional and national organizations that advance health, community impact, and nonprofit leadership, including the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers, American Heart Association, Contexture, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Alzheimer’s Association, American Diabetes Association, and Building Healthy Places Network.
About the event
This year’s Explosion of a Dream weekend (September 18-20, 2026) also features the annual Scholars Summit, where medical students who have received scholarships and support from ElevateMeD, experience a weekend of workshops tailored toward their professional development to enhance the programming throughout the academic year. Mr. Cons will join the Scholars Summit to share his wisdom and leadership journey with the ElevateMeD Scholars as a guest speaker.
ElevateMeD will formally present the award during its dinner program at its Explosion of Dream event at The Camby on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The event features a dynamic dinner program featuring live entertainment, an exciting live auction, award presentations, and the keynote address delivered by ElevateMeD Scholar Dr. Naomi Coles-Strickland. Learn more in the official event press release.
Limited tickets and tables are available for purchase at dream.elevatemed.org through September 11.
ABOUT ELEVATEMED:
ElevateMeD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to elevating medicine by providing scholarships, mentorship, leadership training, and financial literacy education to the next generation of physician leaders. Through the Scholars Program, the organization will increase representation in medicine and improve cultural competence among physicians to reduce health disparities. Learn more about the mission and vision by visiting elevatemed.org and connecting on Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook @elevatemedinc.
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