08/18/2026
Inspired by a childhood fascination with medicine and shaped by his time serving as a U.S. Army Combat Medic, Daniel Horta has always known he wanted to help people.
This week, we're excited to shine the spotlight on Daniel, Community Health Worker (CHW), whose compassion, honesty and heart for serving others are making a difference in the lives of some of our community's most vulnerable neighbors.
Daniel's interest in healthcare began at a young age after watching the TV show House MD. While the medical mysteries first caught his attention, it was the opportunity to care for others that inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare.
That passion led him to the U.S. Army, where he served as a Combat Medic and learned skills that continue to shape the way he cares for people today. "Working in the Army, I learned how to talk to people. I learned that being truthful and respectful helps build trust, no matter who you're talking to."
Today, Daniel brings that same approach to his role as a Community Health Worker, helping people experiencing homelessness connect with housing, healthcare and other essential resources. Building trust is at the heart of what he does, especially with people who often feel overlooked or left behind.
“I specifically sought out a medical role that fit me best. When I learned what a Community Health Worker does and met the Adventist Health team, it just felt right, with my passion and my experience.”
If you ask Daniel what a typical workday looks like, he'll tell you there really isn't one. One day he might be driving across the county to deliver a bus pass so a client can make an appointment. The next, he's helping someone find legal assistance, medical care, housing resources or support for substance use recovery. Every morning also starts by welcoming familiar faces into the office—a place many clients see as safe, supportive and judgment-free.
It's that variety, and the people he meets along the way, that Daniel enjoys most about his role. "The running joke around the office is that I know clients by their dogs," he says with a smile. "Sometimes I connect with someone through their pet, and other times it's just by having an honest conversation."
For Daniel, the most important part of his job is remembering that every client is a person first. "People who are struggling or living on the streets want to be talked to like real people—not just patients. I love getting to know them and helping them feel like they matter."
That simple belief is what guides him every day.
When asked what he's "Made for More," Daniel says he's made for more learning and more opportunities to serve. "I'm made for more curiosity because I want to keep learning about medicine. I'm excited to start college and study biology so I can continue growing in the medical field. I hope to one day treat patients again, using the skills I learned as a medic. More than anything, I'm made to help people who need it. I've always felt that in my heart."
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Interested in becoming a CHW just like Daniel? We've partnered with Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College
to offer the Community Healthcare Worker Certification program. Classes start in the fall. Register today by visiting the WCC website: https://wcc.yccd.edu/programs/human-services/
