Meet Maria Sanchez | Health Promotion Coordinator of the Mexican Consulate Health Window/Mobile Health Unit

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Helping my community,helping the underserved marginalized communities by empowering with healthcare resources,by organizing healthcare community events that give the community access to free health screenings,health education so they can take charge of their health and have better lives

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
“Always keep hoping and dreaming for a better future,and never give up

What set me apart from others is my passion for what I do,my resiliency and my love for my fellow humans

WORK AT THE MEXICAN CONSULATE HEALTH WINDOW-ECH MOBILE UNIT
My job is to do health promotion with our community of immigrants that lives in NC,SC with the Health Window Program of the Mexican Consulate, for example provide them information about low cost health clinics in the counties they live, by organizing health fairs in the Consulate and in other places like churches or community centers,participate in festivals and events and travels once a month with the mobile Consulate to serve our community in SC and NC

The most challenging part of my job(find free health screenings for our community) -connect and find partner health agencies that serve our community and support our health promotion efforts by offering free health education(presentations,workshops,facebook live)information,and free health screenings in the Mexican Consulate during the week,special events and the once a month health fair,and with the Mobile Unit in the events we have in the triangle area

To serve our community of immigrants than lives in the two states of North Carolina and South Carolina is not an easy task, but I’m very grateful to be surrounded by great community leaders that are mind liked and that love to help people that are less privilege and that face a lot of challenges in this country

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Breakfast at the State Farmers Market restaurant,then go to walk around the farmers market,buy some local honey,flowers,go to the NC State Fairgrounds market to show them the amazing treasures to find there!

Lunch at Guasaca or the Pit,then go to see Pullen Park,Art museum

Dinner at Morgan street Foods Hall with a nice drink!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
EL CENTRO HISPANO-My employer and the great team of leaders that I have learn a lot from,and have empower me with the tools and trainings to better serve my community

THE MEXICAN CONSULATE RALEIGH NC-(the place where the health window is located,and where my everiday work office is located)
Thank you for all the love and support,for the mentorship,guidance and trust with the coordination of the Health Window,for always support my efforts of health promotion with our community of immigrants that we serve in the two states of North and south Carolina

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-sanchez-2b4875232/

Other: https://elcentronc.org/el-centro-hispano/maria-sanchez-in-the-spotlight/ https://www.bluecrossnc.com/blog/healthy-communities/our-communities/hispanic-community-care

Image Credits
Maria Sanchez