Growing up in a small village in Colima, Mexico, called Ames, my mother ran a pharmacy. I have a brother who, like me, was inspired by our mother’s dedication to healthcare. He went on to study medicine, and eventually, I followed in his footsteps.

I started my professional journey as a secretary at the School of Nursing and Medicine in Mexico. I pursued a career in medicine and after years of hard work, I graduated in 1985. My early career included a year of social service in a small village Marabasco, Colima. This experience was unique and challenging, requiring me to travel by bus and boat to reach remote communities.

In 2001, seeking better opportunities, I moved from Colima to San Jose, California, where I lived for 12 years. It was there that I met my husband in an English class. We got married and started a family. We decided to move to Arizona, searching for a more affordable living situation. We settled in Glendale and raised our four children.

A New Chapter in Arizona

My professional journey in Arizona began through a chance encounter at church, where I met a group of nurses and other health professionals who had formed a social walking and hiking group promoting heart health. I was invited to participate in the walks and other activities, and this is how I first learned about Mountain Park Health Center and an opening at our Baseline Clinic. I was thrilled when I was hired as their new promotora, or health and wellness promoter.

Working as a health promoter has been incredibly fulfilling. I initially started part-time and eventually became involved in various programs, including the health resource representative at the Mexican Consulate. I also worked with our diabetes education classes and nutrition programs for children. During the pandemic, we adapted by providing daily meals and continuing support through phone consultations and food box distributions.

In recent years, I’ve been working in various diabetes management programs, including assisting patients with continuous glucose monitoring. Teaching patients to apply sensors and monitor their blood sugar levels has been very rewarding. We also launched a DEXCOM program for pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

A Continued Passion Teaching about Health and Wellness

One of the key messages I want to share with my community is the range of services available at Mountain Park. From medical and dental services to behavioral health counseling and social work, we aim to provide holistic support. We also guide our patients on accessing resources like food distributions and emergency services.

What motivates me the most is the opportunity to develop in the profession I studied and am passionate about. I love working for our organization because it allows us to spend quality time with patients, providing the care and attention they need. Outside of work, I find joy in reading and gardening, nurturing plants and flowers at home which is a wonderful way to relax and relieve stress.