Before Susan Mix came to the Community Health Center in White City, OR, the growing population of Spanish-speaking only patients had no one with whom they could discuss their health care needs. This left many confused and reticent about going to the doctor.
In order to better serve these patients, Susan knew it was imperative to offer bilingual health care services. She became fluent in Spanish and began providing bilingual educational materials, including pictures and diagrams. “So many patients have thanked me for just being there,” she said. “The bulk of their conversations with providers were being lost in translation. They were not getting the treatment or resources they needed or deserved.”
Going above and beyond the call of duty is something that Susan has demonstrated throughout her career, and a quality for which she is recognized. In fact, Susan was awarded the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Spirit Award in celebration of the first Corps Community Day on October 13, 2011. She received this award because of her passion for helping and making a difference in the lives of underserved patients in her community.
Susan can recall vividly the day she received her award from the NHSC Loan Repayment Program. “It was like I was being told that everything was going to be OK,” she said. ”I could go through my laundry list of loans and debt and just scratch them off.”
And it could not have come at a better time. Her husband had lost his job in construction and the couple still had children in school. With a mortgage to pay and tuition for medical school, Susan was just trying to make ends meet.
Susan was inspired to join the Corps after she went on service trip to Africa to provide health care to people suffering from diabetes, cancer, and other serious health conditions. She came into contact with patients who had limited access to health care resources, many of whom also had no money to buy food, clothing or other basic necessities. These patients ignited a renewed passion to provide the same type of care for her community back home and for all underserved populations.
In addition to serving the Hispanic population of White City, Susan works with those who are uninsured and from low income backgrounds. She believes that an essential element to providing excellent care comes from keeping an open mind. Most importantly, a provider cannot develop genuine relationships and establish honest communication if they label people. Susan remembers a particular patient who abused drugs, and asked the patient directly, “Why exactly did you start taking drugs?” Much to Susan’s surprise, no one had ever asked the patient this question. But it opened a door – and her patient proceeded to tell her about her past and her substance abuse. “People know what you are thinking about them when they walk in that door. You have to listen to them to understand the cause of their problems. Only then will you be in a position to work with them toward overcoming their condition.”
“I plan to continue serving this community at this clinic until I am 70 years old because I love what I do. I can point to the difference I am making, and it’s because I received the support and resources I needed from NHSC to continue making a difference.”
