Central Health to Host First Annual Vivir Con Ganas Community Health Expo 

AUSTIN, Texas — Central Health will host its first annual Vivir Con Ganas Community Health Expo, bringing area residents together with health care providers and community organizations for a day of interactive workshops, wellness activities, and educational sessions. The free event presented by Univision takes place Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Austin (208 Barton Springs Rd.) and will also be livestreamed on Central Health’s YouTube channel.

“What we’d like for this event to do is to create that foundation of knowledge and an experience that people will be able to take back to their families and friends, to their networks, and expand the mission and knowledge of Central Health,” said Cynthia Valadez, Central Health board manager. “Together, we bring everybody up. We bring up the community.”

Health Talks with Local Champions

• Heart Health – Psychologist and storyteller Soledad Bautista will share practical steps for preventing and managing heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Diabetes – Jose Carrasco, a nationally recognized community school coordinator and Austin native, will discuss managing diabetes through nutrition, activity, and stress reduction.
• Mental Health – Clarena Tobon, a nonprofit leader and advocate, will share her personal journey and lead a discussion on mental health.

Activities and Entertainment

• Austin-based Afro-Latin ensemble Son y No Son, led by conguero and vocalist Rey Arteaga, will ignite the expo with their high-energy fusion of classic Cuban son, cha-cha-chá, guaracha, and Colombian cumbia.
• Emmy Award-winning communicator Leslie Montoya will deliver the keynote address on emotional well-being and living with purpose.
• Mexican-born artist Lesly Reynaga will deliver a lunch hour performance alongside a mariachi band.
• More than a dozen community organizations will be on-site with information and services including family fun activities, childcare, serenity room, and resources.

Attendees will also have access to free screenings including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, diabetes, vision screenings, and more provided by the University of Texas Project Collaborate and Austin Founders Lions Club.

“Having this event is the perfect culmination of not only being visible as an organization that is actively promoting access to health, but also actively inviting some of our most vulnerable community members to join us,” said Isela Guerra, senior community engagement & outreach manager. “Vivir Con Ganas means to live life with gusto, to not just settle for surviving but really to thrive. And we’re here to help them do that.”

The expo is designed as a Spanish-language-first event with sessions, performances, and resources primarily in Spanish. Central Health created the program this way to ensure Latino families feel welcomed and can fully engage. English interpretation will be available for those attending in-person.

Event Details:

• Saturday, September 27, 2025
• 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
• Virtual will be livestreamed in Spanish at: https://www.youtube.com/@tchealthdistrict

You can learn more about the Vivir Con Ganas Community Health Expo or register here: https://www.centralhealth.net/vivir-con-ganas/