Celebrating Our Medical Assistants: The Heart of Patient Care at LCHC

This week is Medical Assistants Recognition Week! We’re celebrating all our incredible MAs who bring care, compassion, and expertise to every patient interaction. From greeting patients and taking vitals to assisting providers and offering comfort, our MAs play a vital role in making sure every patient feels supported. We’re highlighting the stories and experiences of several of our MAs and the impact they make every day.

For Bhoomi Patel and the Marigold Team, becoming a Medical Assistant was inspired by a desire to help people. Many members of the team were drawn to LCHC through their connection to the community, some had been patients themselves and wanted to give back to the place that had cared for them.

A typical day includes rooming patients, assisting providers with procedures, scheduling appointments, and managing in-basket tasks. But what Bhoomi and the team love most is building meaningful connections with patients and staff, offering comfort and reassurance, and seeing patients smile even on difficult days.

“Our patients have very complex needs and sometimes get frustrated when those needs aren’t being met. It’s a good feeling when we see patients smile and open up to us to share their stories. Knowing that we are one of the reasons behind their smile is a great feeling,” Bhoomi shared.

They take pride in working in community health, where patients can receive comprehensive services in one place and where teams step in to help each other whenever needed. For Bhoomi, remarkable care means providing care that is meaningful to patients, creating positive and fulfilling experiences. “We are empathetic to our patients and to each other. Marigold is a big team, but we always work together like family,” Bhoomi said.

Nazifa Paikar’s path to becoming a Medical Assistant began in the most challenging circumstances. At age 24, she was severely injured during the Afghanistan war, spending months hospitalized after a coma and numerous injuries. During that time, the love and care she received from doctors, nurses, and hospital staff inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare.

“That care changed my thoughts—from wondering when I would be able to end my life, to dreaming of becoming a healthcare worker,” Nazifa said.

After recovering and moving to Pakistan, she studied nursing and became an aide nurse. When she came to the U.S., she worked tirelessly to learn English and recertify for healthcare roles. Eventually, she joined medical assistant school, completed her internship, and was hired at a medical center, finally achieving her lifelong goal to work in healthcare and give the same care she had received to others.

Her connection to LCHC started as a patient, where she and her family experienced the center’s compassionate care firsthand. Inspired by that experience, she joined the team in 2020 and has been with LCHC for five years. Every part of her work, from greeting patients to assisting providers and ensuring patients leave feeling supported, brings her joy.

“Many times I’ve had upset patients suffering in pain, and by empathy, love, respect, and care I was able to make them happy and leave with a smile. I felt very proud and happy to be a MA,” Nazifa said. Helping patients and seeing them improve is what keeps her motivated, and she is proud to be part of the LCHC family.

Silvana Mendoza has always been drawn to healthcare by a desire to help people and make a meaningful impact. She started as a Medical Assistant, enjoying the hands-on work with patients, before transitioning to her current role as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Coordinator.

“I’ve been part of this community for a long time, and when I was looking for a place that truly values connection and care, LCHC felt like a natural fit,” Silvana said. She has been with LCHC for ten years, helping patients access the equipment they need and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

She recalls a moment that stands out: a patient came in extremely nervous about a procedure. Silvana took the time to hold their hand, explain each step, and make them feel safe. “That moment really stuck with me. Sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest impact, and that’s why I love what I do,” she said.

For Silvana, remarkable care means going the extra mile, listening, being present, and treating patients with genuine kindness. What keeps her inspired is knowing that her work matters and contributes to a bigger mission of supporting the community.

Awilka Gomez has over ten years of experience on the Purple Team, where she supports both patients and staff in multiple ways. On any given day, she helps welcome new team members, teaches staff about procedures and competencies, manages meetings, and keeps the workspace organized, all while fulfilling her MA duties.

She notices when patients or colleagues need extra support and consistently offers help and guidance. Her colleagues say she is knowledgeable, kind, and patient, and her presence makes the team’s workday smoother.

Ana Pina-Vazquez is known for her positivity, professionalism, and ability to anticipate patient and team needs. She has become an invaluable part of the team, stepping up to organize celebrations, support her podiatry colleagues, and lead initiatives like Access 2.0. Recently, she became a CCMA certified Medical Assistant while pursuing nursing school.

“Ana is courteous and thoughtful, and she treats every patient with respect. Her positivity is infectious, and she has a strong work ethic that inspires everyone to be better,” her teammates shared.

For Ana, remarkable care is making sure patients feel heard, comfortable, and supported. She helps strengthen connections between patients and providers, ensuring health maintenance is done thoroughly and compassionately. “She’s a phenomenal Medical Assistant and will be a great nurse soon,” her team added.

Coralis Sierra-Martinez discovered the medical assistant field in school and quickly realized it was the right path for her. After completing a two-month internship at LCHC, she loved the patients, the team, and the culture, and joined the team full-time two years ago.

Her typical day includes taking vitals, performing point-of-care testing, preparing instruments, and supporting new mothers. “I love helping new moms with everything they need. I try to help them keep track of important things and make sure they leave with an appointment to come back,” Coralis said.

Working in community health gives her more opportunities to make a meaningful difference than she would have in private practice. Programs like the Mobile Market help her connect with patients in ways that truly matter. Coralis finds motivation in the simple joy of helping someone and making their day a little better.

Thank you to all of our MAs for your dedication and the remarkable care you provide every day!