Evelyn Ortiz was born and raised in New York and resides in the Riverdale area of the Bronx. She and her two siblings were brought up by her single mother, who later also adopted five children. Ms. Ortiz attended Russell Sage College, where she studied Spanish and international studies. She spent much of her career working for the New York City Housing Authority and is now retired.
Ms. Ortiz has cerebral palsy and has had many encounters with the health care system throughout her life. She remembers spending time in the hospital three days a week during her childhood, with several surgeries in college, where she says she was a “guinea pig.” She never saw her cerebral palsy as a hardship, however, and always loved her doctors and the care she received. She discovered the All of Us Research Program while taking her brother to the hospital one day. She opted to join because at an early age she learned from her mother that she should do at least one good deed every day. Today Ms. Ortiz is an active member of her church and a passionate advocate who works where she is needed to help reduce barriers for people who are not receiving equitable health care.
