Building a Life in Central Texas 

Brisa Salcido’s story began long before she became a mother. 

Raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, she was just 12 years old when her family moved to Austin, Texas. Her father’s work frequently brought him to the United States, and the family saw the move as an opportunity to build a better future. But the transition did not come without difficulty. 

“At 12 years old, it was very difficult, and I think it was even harder for my mom because I cried every day,” she said. “I didn’t know English. I didn’t understand anything. It was a whole different world. My world completely changed.” 

Years later, she sees the move as a blessing. “Now I thank them because I feel like our life and our future turned out very well here,” she said. 

Today, she is creating that future for her own family. She is married, works as a supervisor at a dermatology clinic and is raising three daughters with her husband. 

The pair met through charrería, a traditional Mexican equestrian tradition recognized as an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. He was a charro, a horseman who participates in the tradition, while she was an escaramuza, one of the women who participate in charrería through choreographed horseback performances. 

For Salcido, charrería is part of the culture she grew up with and continues to hold close, a connection to where she came from as she builds a life and family in Central Texas. 

A Pediatrician She Could Count On 

When Belen was born with Down syndrome, doctors discovered several heart conditions, including a large hole in her heart and a leaking mitral valve. 

As a new mother, Salcido was learning how to care for a newborn with complex medical needs while navigating a diagnosis that brought more questions than answers. More than anything, she needed a pediatrician she could depend on.  

“Dr. Greendyk told me, ‘If anything happens, this is my number. Call me. If there is anything you’re worried about, talk to me,’” Salcido said. “And the next day I was already calling her.” 

That trust became especially important as Belen’s medical needs continued. At 4 months old, she underwent her first heart surgery to repair the hole in her heart. In February 2025, she underwent another heart surgery. Through it all, Salcido says she never felt like she had to navigate her daughter’s care alone. When Belen was hospitalized for nearly a month, members of her care team came to the hospital to make sure she was doing well. 

For Dr. Greendyk, that relationship is at the heart of primary care. “The substance of why you go into the work that we do is to build relationships with people and to make them feel seen and feel heard,” she said. “When every once in a while, you hear that you’ve done that, it really just fills your cup.” 

Dr. Greendyk has also watched Salcido become a strong advocate for her daughter. 

“She really became an expert in her child in an extra way, because that’s what was needed,” Dr. Greendyk said. “She advocated for her child in multiple ways and really understood how important her role was in making sure that her child, who had very special needs, got the care that she needed.” 

Over the years, Salcido’s fears about what her daughter’s diagnosis might mean have also changed. “All you hear is, ‘She’s special. She won’t be able to do this, she won’t be able to do that.’ from people” she said.  

But that has not been her experience. “The truth is, she is a very happy girl,” Salcido said. “She is very independent.” 

Supporting the Whole Family 

Over the years, the relationship between Salcido and CommUnityCare has grown beyond Belen’s medical needs. When Belen was hospitalized, Salcido found herself struggling, too. “I was very anxious, depressed and crying. I couldn’t be alone,” she said. 

Her daughter’s care team noticed and helped connect her with behavioral health services through CommUnityCare. 

“I’ve been with them for about a year and a half now, and I feel like it has changed my life personally and the way I see things,” she said. “I don’t worry as much anymore.” 

That experience reflects the way her family’s care has evolved — addressing not only the needs that bring them to a clinic, but the many things that affect their lives outside of it. With three daughters and a full-time job, Salcido also appreciates having different ways to access care when her family needs it. 

“As a mom of three daughters who works, sometimes you don’t have time to go all the way to the clinic,” she said. “When they tell me I can do a video call, it makes everything so much easier. I don’t have to leave work, I don’t have to rush. It’s very convenient.” 

Between primary care, specialty care, behavioral health and telehealth, her family has access to different kinds of support as the girls grow and their needs change. Dr. Greendyk sees that connection as an essential part of primary care. 

“People are not going to tell you what’s really going on. They’re not going to share with you what they need. They aren’t going to listen to your advice if they don’t trust you,” she said. “They’re not going to trust you if they don’t know you and believe that you want to know them.” 

That trust has grown over eight years — through surgeries and hospital stays, moments of uncertainty and ordinary days. 

“My life with Belen has been very beautiful,” Salcido said. “I used to think she was going to need me her whole life. But now I feel like I’m the one who is going to need her my whole life.”