06/05/2026
On Tuesday, we hosted our Cultivating Care: Growing Tomorrow’s Medical Workforce event to inform the community about University Health’s Medical Assistant (MA) Program.
Attendees heard from University Health leaders about the plan to use the MA Program not only as a pathway to successful health care careers, but also as a way to address critical social and economic disparities.
We also heard a powerful testimonial from University Health registered nurse Erica Rodriguez. As a young mother, Erica began her career at University Health as a Medical Assistant 13 years ago. Today, she is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with support from the Foundation’s Reach for the Stars Nursing Scholarship and encouragement from a University Health team culture that she said believed in her even when she didn’t believe in herself.
“Had a program like this existed when I was starting out, it would’ve changed everything,” Erica said. “A paid externship and a direct pathway would have eased so much of the financial stress I faced as a young mom trying to build a future.”
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meaningful event.
