Inspired to Serve Her Community
From a young age, Isamar Alvarez dreamed of a career serving her community by working in healthcare. Growing up in Puerto Rico, she was motivated by her mother, who worked in a hospital setting, caring for her community. “She loved it and she was taking care of our family,” Isamar recalled. “It was just so inspiring.”
Isamar started her professional journey in healthcare at Union Community Care in 2020, where she had the role of a Patient Access Specialist. Her job allowed her to be the first connection with community members when they came to Union as their health home. “I was registering patients, checking them in, and just really getting them connected to care,” she shared.
However, Isamar wanted to do more. She drew on the inspiration from her mother once again, feeling a strong desire to make a deeper impact on the health of her community. When Union Community Care introduced the “Pathways to Progress Program,” Isamar knew it was what she wanted to pursue. “I was already looking into going back to school to get more education in healthcare,” she said. “When I learned that Union would pay me while I was taking classes and learning, I knew I had to do it. I didn’t have to worry about spending money on school or when I would have time for it; I could just move my career forward.”
Pathways to Progress
The Pathways to Progress Program is the first of its kind in Lancaster County. Created in partnership with the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board and the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Office, it empowers Union team members without a medical assistant certification to take classes at Central Penn College’s Lancaster Campus. Union Community Care covers the cost of training and pays participants for the time they are learning.
After completion of 27 weeks of classes, which feature on-the-job training and mentorship, and a certification exam, participants receive a certificate of completion from Central Penn College and a certification as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant through the National Health Career Association.
Celebrated Achievement
Isamar Alvarez was among the first cohort of Union team members to enroll in the initial offering of the Pathways to Progress Program, and she became the first to earn her certification as a Certified Medical Assistant through it.
“I am so glad I did it,” she remarked. “It was very hands-on; the first week we were getting vital signs on each other. I feel like it helped so much that it was hands-on because when I came into an exam room with a community member, I could put what I learned to use.”
New Way to Connect With Her Community
Isamar said she is excited to grow and glow in her new role.
“This opens up so many new doors for me in caring for my community,” she exclaimed. “It also makes patients really happy because they know and trust me from my previous role, and now, because we have that relationship, I can provide even more comprehensive care.”
Working Alongside her Inspiration
Isamar’s mother, Brenda Retamar, who also now works at Union, said she is happy for her daughter. “I am so proud of her,” Brenda explained. “She always told me I was her inspiration, and I am glad about the impact she is making on her community here at Union.”
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