For Spanish-Speaking Hispanics, Entering the U.S. Healthcare System Can Be Like a Trip to a Foreign Country…or Outer Space
28/10/2013 05:32pm | 9445 viewsPicture yourself after a long flight to a Spanish-speaking country. You’re in the airport, tired and hungry, desperately needing to find a restroom before trying to make your way to the right luggage carousel and transportation. But all the signs you see are in Spanish and you don’t speak or read the language.
About the Author
Nellie Garcia is the Director of Clinical Social Work at City of Hope in the Department of Supportive Care Medicine. Nellie graduated from the University of Southern California with dual Masters of Science degrees in Social Work and Gerontology. She has a wealth of experience in counseling Oncology patients and their families and has been a director at City of Hope for more than 20 years. In addition to her clinical work with patients, Nellie leads the staff of social workers at City of Hope in developing patient and family-centered, integrated approaches to care. She is also responsible for the hospital’s Advance Directives implementation and Interpreter Services Program, and is the Co-Chair for their Bio-Ethics Committee.
Nellie has been an instrumental leader in the development and implementation of an integrated, interdisciplinary Department of Supportive Care Medicine, as well as the implementation of the specialized biopsychosocial screening program and the unique staff leadership model established within this department, which provides opportunities for staff to expand their professional development.
Nellie has participated in many community advisory boards, including the American Cancer Society and the Wellness Community of the Foothills. She is also committed to making a difference in the areas of health disparities, culture, and disadvantaged and minority populations. Nellie continues to advocate for institutional commitment to upholding a higher standard of pain management for patients, including Latino and other underserved patient populations.
Nellie is also involved in multiple published research projects studying quality of life of breast cancer patients. She is a coordinator and facilitator of community focus groups on topics related to Latina women who carry a BRCA gene mutation and are at high risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. She supported the innovative proposal, “Supportive Education Program for Latina Breast Cancer Survivors,” refining the intervention content to better serve the population of Latino women. She has participated in multiple publications regarding quality of life of breast cancer survivors, their physical and social well-being. As she continues her work at City of Hope, Nellie looks forward to making a difference in the areas of mentoring, coaching staff, and helping individuals connect their passion to their work.