Juntos podemos hacer cosas increíbles.

My journey with Neighborhood Health.

My journey with Neighborhood Health began as a patient. From the start, I was deeply moved by the compassionate care I received. The kindness, respect, and genuine support I felt during every visit made a lasting impression on me, not just as a patient but as a person. It made me want to give back to the organization that had already given me so much. That’s what inspired me to begin volunteering. I wanted to be part of the mission, to help others feel the same sense of care and belonging that I had experienced. Volunteering opened my eyes to the incredible work being done behind the scenes. It also helped me grow personally and professionally. I gained new skills, built meaningful relationships, and became more confident in my ability to contribute.

One of the most impactful parts of my journey has been the support I received from my supervisors Richard Armenta and Lane Carpenter . Their encouragement, patience, and belief in me made all the difference. They guided me every step of the way and played a major role in helping me transition into my current role as a Patient Service Representative, I truly couldn’t have done it without them and all their help. Today, I’m proud to work for the very organization that once cared for me as a patient. It’s a full circle experience that means so much to me. I hope my story encourages others to explore volunteering with Neighborhood Healthcare, you never know where it might lead, or how much it might change your life.

My Journey to Medicine.

Move to Neighborhood Healthcare.

My journey with Neighborhood Healthcare began as a family medicine resident in the Southwest Healthcare Medical Education Consortium Family Medicine Residency Program in Temecula. As part of our training program, we spent one day per week at the Temecula Parkway clinic site. Over the course of my residency, I learned to care for the population that NHC serves, and built a modest panel of patients for myself.

As a premedical and medical student, I trained in Athens, Ohio at Ohio University, near my hometown of Cincinnati. Athens is in Appalachia, a geographically beautiful and culturally distinct region. However, the area remains notoriously economically underserved, and medical access is limited. My training in this region is what initially exposed me to the FQHC model, and my experience their drove me to commit to using my skills to serve America's underserved citizens.

I ended up meeting my wife during this time in Southeast Ohio, who is from the Temecula region, which is how I ended up relocating to Southern California. Naturally, I sought out opportunities in the area that aligned with the value system I developed during my training. My time at NHC during my residency continuity clinic gave me the opportunity to fulfill these professional desires, and ultimately, I decided that it was the right place for me to stay.

I was also drawn to NHC due to the opportunity to teach. I am always learning and like to pass things on. Being a full time physician at the Temecula Parkway site allowed me to participate in the residency program that trained me, now as core faculty. My mother is a teacher, so I believe teaching runs in my blood. As a young child, I used to model my mom's own behavior with me, and remembered playing 'school' with my little sister upstairs, zealously trying to teach her how to read.

While she was far too young to actually be learning to read at the time, I am old enough to carry the memories with me, and look back on them fondly. I continued to pursue teaching opportunities in high school, college and medical school, serving as a tutor for students that were earlier in their academic careers. I feel it was only natural for me to continue this path in my professional career. NHC has been a great fit for me.