.::HEART PROJECT::.

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Patricia Arnal

El Paso Community College, Community Education Program High School Equivalency Program

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Volunteer at Corpus Christi Catholic Church

What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
I work in the areas of Nutrition, Sexuality and Chronic Diseases

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
I have received education and training under Nurse Education in the area of Public Health, and different trainings in El Paso, Texas.

What skills do you still need to improve as a CHW/P?
I need Certification as Promotora, Certification on Nutrition and to be updated on Chronic Diseases.

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
I like to help people to have a better life style and better health, to be in contact with the community and help them with their necessities.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
We can have a better communication with the community, especially with medical information. We can communicate in an easier manner. We break language barriers. We can go to the community instead of waiting for them to come to the health centers. We can establish a strong bond with the community. Our focus is prevention.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
Prevention and control of chronic diseases

If you are involved with the HEART project, tell us your impressions of the project and your experience of being a promotor for HEART.
It is a wonderful program. I facilitated this program to a group and I noticed they was learning and practicing the information they received. Some of them lowered their levels of cholesterol. All of them gave the information also to their families and it changed their lives.

Monica Barquin

Superior Health Plan

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What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
All of El Paso County, from 0 to elderly, all needs from something minor like transportation, durable medical equipment (DME), medicines, to more difficult outreach like finding specialty care doctors.

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
I received training from previous promotoras, and Health Educator, currently still in training at my current employment, trying to learn all the resources out in our area.

What skills do you still need to improve as a CHW/P?
I would like to learn more of the resources that are out in our community, and to learn to communicate in a better manner; more computer skills as well.

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
I love the smiles you bring to people once you can help them, being able to help someone that actually needs the help. Once they know that they can come to you and look to you for answers that previously went unanswered. Also they might alerts other of the great information you have and how this can help others as well.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
I feel that CHW/P are very important to our community to bring awareness of the resources that are out in our community, and to guide people in the right direction to better their lives as well to give a better quality of life for everyone who doesn’t know what resources are out in the community.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
To serve the people that need our help and to help them make a better quality of life for the people that are in need and want to better themselves in their lives.

Odelinda Hughes

Retired from Centro San Vicente

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Currently working on a project at the University of Texas at El Paso

What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
Diabetes, Prevention of Heart Disease, and Nutrition

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
I received about 5-6 trainings on Diabetes. I was trained with the NIH. I was trained to be a Master Trainer with the Program Taking Control of your Health from Stanford University. I have received training the from Mayo Clinic to prevent heart disease in women.

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
I like to work with people, helping them to have better health, and it gives me the opportunity to learn more and improve my own life.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
People can talk to a CHW/P with more freedom, because we can relate to them. We are a breach between the doctors and the people. We inform the people who need services and where to get them.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
I have influenced individuals to change their life style to prevent heart attacks if they are at risk. I have also influenced individuals living with diabetes by helping them prevent complications in the future.

If you are involved with the HEART project, tell us your impressions of the project and your experience of being a promotor for HEART.
I was involved in training promotoras at the beginning of the Project. I have always been impressed on how the project would positively affect the community.

Concepción Lopez

Centro San Vicente

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What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
Prenatal education, classes on diabetes and chronic illnesses, instruct parents on the use of car seats for children, breast and cervical cancer, asthma education

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
I have received Promotora training at Centro San Vicente. I completed the Promotora de Salud Program at El Paso Community College and I am state certified. I have received training in the curriculum Su Corazon, Su Vida, and breast and cervical cancer. I am certified to give classes on asthma.

What skills do you still need to improve as a CHW/P?
I would like to attend trainings that update me on the different topics of health. I would also like to improve my English and computer skills. I would like to be re-certified in order to continue issuing car seats and attend prenatal courses to obtain certification.

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
What I like the most about being a Promotora is working with the community, and gaining the trust from patients at Centro San Vicente, treating them with respect, and knowing how to listen to them. Individuals need someone who can listen to them without judgment; this can bring them ease, and many times it also brings internal healing.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
Promotoras play a big role with patients because he or she (Promotor) can make a difference only if an individual has decided to adopt healthy behaviors (physical activity, medication adherence, changes to their diet). It is rewarding when I hear that patients have made changes to their habits and that they have been able to accomplish it. We create trust with the patients. A Promotora is the bridge between the patient and their provider.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
It is rewarding when I hear that patients have made changes to their habits and that they have been able to accomplish it. We create trust with the patients. For example, in my prenatal classes, not only do I work with the expecting mother, but I work with the entire family. I believe I have accomplished something when I refer a patient to the different agencies, (according to their need or problem), and that I have empowered them to find a solution to their need or problem. When patients attend our diabetes classes, we provide them with vital information because their providers do not have the time. We suggest that they consult with their physician if they have questions.

Margarita Nevarez

Centro San Vicente

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What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
I work in the area of health education. More specifically, I present classes on the development of diabetes and how to control it.

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
I completed the Promotora de Salud program at El Paso Community College. While I was in the program, I also volunteered at the Armijo Center giving classes to adolescents with diabetes. I also helped with an educational program for seniors at El Paso Community College. Following this work, I was trained in the Su Corazon, Su Vida curriculum. Due to the training, I was employed temporarily to instruct Su Corazon, Su Vida at Centro San Vicente.

What skills do you still need to improve as a CHW/P?
Something I believe will help me become a better Promotora is attending workshops and conferences for Community Health Workers and Promotoras.

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
The most pleasant thing about being a Promotora is the relationship we have with individuals. The one thing that I like about my work is being able to help many of these individuals to improve their health.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
I believe that the Promotoras are important in many ways. The most important thing is that we get close to individuals in a simple, kind and patient manner. We are able to teach them to have a better quality of life.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
A lot of the participants that have attended the classes I give have commented that they (classes) have helped them make many changes to their poor habits. For example they have adopted healthy eating habits. Patients have told me that the classes improved their health as well as their family’s health

If you are involved with the HEART project, tell us your impressions of the project and your experience of being a promotor for HEART.
The HEART Project was my first job as a Promotora. I met well trained individuals, one of them being Esperanza Vasquez, who I learned a lot from. I also met Dr. Balcazar, who is an excellent individual. Working with this project has broadened my knowledge, and it has helped me grow and lose the fear of public speaking.

Cindy Parra

Superior Health Plan

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What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
The areas of health that I work with are the mental health and individuals who have different illnesses and needs.

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
I am currently in college receiving my degree in human services. I am being trained to do health fairs, as well as home visits to all members who are in need.

What skills do you still need to improve as a CHW/P?
The skills I believe that need to be improved are awareness in mental health.

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
I love helping the community and individuals who are much in need and do not know and understand what is available in the community. My experience as a promotora has been a great one. I enjoy seeing people happy and satisfied once I have helped them. It brings me great joy in knowing that I have made a difference in someone’s life.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
It is extremely important because there are many individuals out in the community who need help and are not aware of what the community has to offer. Working for a health plan, many individuals are not aware what benefits are available to them, and what rights they have; as a promotora I help them understand what’s available and to find the services they need.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
Helping them get the help they need, whether it is helping them find a provider or helping them with their needs, for instance; paying rent, utilities, transportation, etc.

Dolores Quijas

TX A&M Colonias Program, Montana Vista Area

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What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
We connect residents to agencies depending on their needs, and also bring community talks on subjects on health from exercise, nutrition, and illness.

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
I have been trained in different areas such as Chip/Medicaid at the TX Dept of Health, HIV at Thomason Hospital, at La Fe for Diabetes, Highblood pressure, and the El Paso Police Dept for car seat trainings, and many more.

What skills do you still need to improve as a CHW/P?
We’ve gone to Red Cross for our CPR Class, I believe I need more training on the subject for the reason that I am still not confident in performing the service if needed. Also more information or training on drugs so we could better understand the effects and how we can help people get of the out death trap. I would also like to be more informed on prenatal care and breast feeding, we have a lot of teenage girls that need the education to take care of themselves and baby. Most important any training is good education for the reason we can always find someone who might need a referral or information.

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
I love my work for the reason that I know I have made a difference in people’s life. Extending a hand to a neighbor (resident) gives me a great sense of fulfillment; it makes me happy to see a person smile or thank you for the little things you do for them. No matter how small the help we give them, but the fact that we tried they (residents) are grateful and it makes one feel good about what we are doing. Of course there are always ups and downs but the ups always beats the downs.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
CHW/P are important to the community. As outreach workers, we need to take information to the residents, either by word of mouth, pamphlets, or guest speakers; a lot of residents don’t know how to go about their situations; (rights, how to apply for medicaid, how to sterilize water, where they can receive financial assistance) some are secluded that they can get out, so that’s where home visits are crucial.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
My most important accomplishment would be all of my work, I am proud of my work, I love going to trainings to learn new information that I could share. I enjoy my office work and working with others, I also love to see residents smile when we are able to help them and when we’re not able to, we try to figure the situation together with our coworkers and find a solution; As I was told, ”When a door closes another opens” and that keeps me trying to help those who want our help, and need our help. And sometimes even just a hug cures all. That why I love my job.

Adriana Silva

Superior Health Plan

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What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
I help community members obtain diapers, clothing, food, transportation, and resolve billing issues, etc.

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
The training I have received has been through my job at Superior Health Plan.

What skills do you still need to improve as a CHW/P?
I need to improve on becoming more familiar and educated on our community and resources available. I would like to improve my computer skills.

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
I like being a promotora because I really enjoy helping people. It’s a fulfilling job knowing that I helped a person obtain a particular resource.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
CHW/P are important to the community. As outreach workers, we need to take information to the residents, either by word of mouth, pamphlets, or guest speakers; a lot of residents don’t know how to go about their situations; (rights, how to apply for medicaid, how to sterilize water, where they can receive financial assistance) some are secluded that they can get out, so that’s where home visits are crucial.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
My most important accomplishment would be all of my work, I am proud of my work, I love going to trainings to learn new information that I could share. I enjoy my office work and working with others, I also love to see residents smile when we are able to help them and when we’re not able to, we try to figure the situation together with our coworkers and find a solution; As I was told, ”When a door closes another opens” and that keeps me trying to help those who want our help, and need our help. And sometimes even just a hug cures all. That why I love my job.

Esperanza Vasquez

Centro San Vicente

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What area(s) of health do you work in as a Community Health Worker/promotor(a)?
Prevention and control of heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, smoking cessation, nutrition, etc.

What is the education and training you have received as a CHW/P?
I completed the Promotor program at EPCC, different workshops at Promotor conferences, and I have my nursing assistant certification, which permits me to know more about health.

What skills do you still need to improve as a CHW/P?
I need computer training skills

What do you like about being a CHW/P?
I like to help my community improve their quality of life and how to control their diseases. I teach different health classes, nutrition and exercise.

In what ways do you feel that CHW/P important to the community?
People have more confidence in us. We can influence and convince them to make changes that will lead them to have better health.

What do you think your most important accomplishment is as a CHW/P for those you serve?
Achieve that my class participants lower their cholesterol and glucose levels, control their blood pressure, lose weight, and that they become responsible for their own health.

If you are involved with the HEART project, tell us your impressions of the project and your experience of being a promotor for HEART.
I have worked with Su Corazón, Su Vida since 1999 and I believe that it is a complete program for Promotores. I think that they could have not chosen a better program because we have all the necessary tools to implement the program.

Community Health Worker/Promotor de Salud Portraits

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