Elisa Ochoa: A Latina Dentist Making a Difference in Chicago's Pilsen Neighborhood

The Face of Latina Professionals

Elisa Ochoa is a dentist and business owner in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Born and raised on the south side of the city, Elisa comes from a family with a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for education.

Her parents emigrated from Guadalajara in the late 1960s, and Elisa grew up in a household where success was expected and the pressure to succeed was palpable. Despite these challenges, Elisa found her passion for dentistry at a young age, drawn to the idea of directly impacting people's lives and using her skills to help others.

Elisa's desire to make a difference in her community led her to choose Pilsen as the location for her dental practice.

As she explains, the Latino community is often underserved and overlooked, and Elisa wanted to provide a service that would help address these disparities. She feels that her practice is more than just a business; it's a way for her to connect with people and make a real difference in their lives.

In her role as a dentist, Elisa not only provides essential dental care to her patients, but she also serves as a friend, therapist, and clinician. Her patients teach her just as much as she teaches them, and Elisa finds great satisfaction in being able to impact people's lives in such a meaningful way.

And, as she notes, volunteering and giving back to her community is just as important to her as the work she does in her practice.

Elisa Ochoa is a remarkable Latina professional who has overcome challenges, embraced her passion, and made a significant impact in her community.

Through her commitment to education, her dedication to her patients, and her love for her community, she represents the best of what it means to be a Latina professional. And it is our honor to feature her on this episode of The Face of Latina Professionals podcast.