Learn about the faces behind the organization - see what motivates people to work at Reach and MKHC. Each quarter we'll be featuring a staff member, starting this month with MKHC's front desk receptionist, Maria!
Maria joined MKHC in mid 2024 as a member of the front desk staff, where she schedules appointments, checks patients in and out for appointments, helps new patients enroll for care, including determining eligibility and processing necessary documents, and completes financial reports. She first learned about MKHC not as a job applicant, but as a patient. Her former employer didn't provide healthcare, so when Maria started having serious stomach pains, her daughter took her to Adventist Shady Grove Medical Center for care. Maria stayed there overnight and was then referred to MKHC for her follow up care - part of an arrangement between that hospital and our clinic to provide care for the uninsured.
While checking in for her appointment, Maria noticed a "We're Hiring!" poster displayed in the clinic, and immediately asked the receptionist if the job offered health insurance. She asked the receptionist to pass on her contact information, and later mentioned it to her provider as well. That led to an interview, and to Maria joining the team at MKHC, giving her a personal understanding of what some of our patients face.
A native of Portugal, Maria moved to the United States over 40 years ago. She's remained in the DC area that entire time, raising three daughters. Along the way, she picked up Spanish, too, helped by its similarity to Portuguese. This has proven crucial to her work at MKHC, where around 80% of patients speak Spanish as a first language.
Maria's favorite part of her job is talking to all the clients at MKHC and learning their stories. It means a lot when she can find a way to help. One memorable story was that of an 81 year old man who called, just looking for advice. He'd been laid off his job as a janitor and was relying on his unemployment income of $150 a week to get by, barely enough to cover his rent. He didn't know where to find food or other help. Maria referred him to the Rockville Emergency Assistance Program and helped interpret for him as he learned about available resources in the county.
Outside of work, Maria enjoys cooking, dancing, and spending time with her family who also live in the area.
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