Former HUD executive and SAHA president selected to lead University Health System Foundation

Lourdes M. Castro Ramirez will oversee fundraising to support University Health System’s community mission, assisting patients and families throughout South Texas

Lourdes M. Castro Ramirez, whose 20-year career in public service has focused on reducing poverty and strengthening communities, has been named to the newly created position of president of the University Health System Foundation.

Ms. Castro Ramirez is a former president and CEO of the San Antonio Housing Authority, or SAHA. Most recently she served as principal deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC.

“Lourdes has been a fierce advocate at the local and national level for economic opportunity, education and good health,” said George B. Hernández Jr., president and CEO of University Health System. “She will use her considerable talent and executive skills to bring a greater visibility to the foundation and its many good works.”

The University Health System Foundation is the charitable arm of University Health System, overseen by a volunteer board of directors.  The foundation raises funds to support the community mission of University Health System, including 60 restricted funds that help patients and families in areas such as children’s cancer and blood disorders, injury prevention and spiritual care.

“I look forward to working closely with the foundation board, staff, partners and community to increase the foundation’s impact by cultivating partnerships and securing investments that advance the strategic mission and priorities of University Health System and promote excellence in care,” Ms. Castro Ramirez said.

Ms. Castro Ramirez was appointed by the Obama Administration to lead the Office of Public & Indian Housing at HUD. There she managed a staff of 1,300 employees and more than $26 billion in federal program funds to assist more than 3.2 individuals and families secure affordable housing.

Before that, she served as president and CEO of SAHA, providing housing assistance to more than 65,000 San Antonio-area children, adults and senior citizens. Under her leadership, SAHA provided the land that will be the site of University Health System’s new Dr. Robert L.M. Hilliard Center — a new family health center under construction on the city’s East Side.