2-8-08 It's Their Job

Name: Lupe Garcia

Job: Patient advocate, La Casa Family Health Center

Time on job: Three years

Background: Graduated from Portales High School. Previously worked for Portales Schools and at various daycare centers before coming to La Casa.

Job description: I do all the vital signs on patients and work them up and get them ready to see the doctors. I do appointments and translate (Spanish/English).

Training: All my training has been on-site training. We also periodically have collaboratives statewide with peers on things like cancer, diabetes, cardio-vascular and other topics.

A typical day: Starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. It’s about 31 happy patients.

Why she chose the job: “I saw the opening in the paper and applied and was accepted.” She says she saw it as a chance to better herself professionally and make a difference to her community by using her bilingual and communication skills in a caring and honest way.

What she enjoys most: My patients! I like when they call and ask for me by name. I also like working with my coworkers. Dr. (Maxsimo) Torres, the doctor I work with, keeps us on our toes all the time.

Best fringe benefit: I like the burritos that the Abuelitos make.

It’s Their Job is a bi-weekly feature. To submit an idea, contact PNT Managing Editor Karl Terry at 356-4481, ext. 33 or e-mail:

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