“I always say, one foot and ankle at a time, that’s how you make a difference in someone’s life.” As a member of the care team at Samaritan Medical Group Orthopedics in Corvallis, Adriana Sanchez knows what she’s talking about.
Sanchez is a medical assistant working alongside Orthopedic Surgeon Jason Lin, MD, and Physician Assistant Melissa Coombs, PA-C.
“Our patients come in, they’re injured, in pain and not in the best of spirits,” Sanchez said. “It is fulfilling to know I’m making an impact on their lives, even if it’s just a sliver of a difference.”
From her very first day at the orthopedic clinic, Sanchez wanted to work more closely with their patients, but her then-current front office job had its limitations.
“My manager suggested I enroll in the medical assistant apprenticeship program, which allowed me to hone my skills and create lasting relationships with our patients and my team,” Sanchez said. “After shadowing all four teams within our orthopedics department, I came into my new role with confidence. The program molded me into the perfect medical assistant for my team!”
Just as Sanchez was encouraged by her manager, she recommends anyone getting into health care who is unsure of the direction they want to go to consider the apprenticeship program.
“It’s a great resource, especially if you don’t know where to start but know you want to work in a hospital or clinic,” Sanchez said. “I also recommend the program to anyone who wants to advance their career and is willing to learn new skills.”
Sanchez says she thrives while working with her close-knit orthopedics team, and although it may sound cliché, she says it’s rewarding to be part of the process that makes a difference in people’s lives.
“I’m grateful to work in such a wonderful community that we’ve created. It’s a big reason why I enjoy working in health care.”
Looking for a new job? From housekeeping to nursing and accounting to managing, there are a lot of opportunities to explore at Samaritan Health Services.
