Dr. Glenda Rios
Family Doctor, Mile Square
Health Center Clinics of the
University of Illinois at
Chicago (UIC) in Cicero.
Assistant Professor of
Clinical Family Medicine
Mile Square is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) that serves the
underserved and some of the most vulnerable populations of Chicago and some
nearby communities. Employed at Mile Square since she moved from Puerto
Rico in 1999; what at first was meant to fulfill a two-year obligation as a
National Health Service Corps Scholar, has led to 21 years of service. As a full
scope family physician she cares for people of all ages - from the newborn to
the elderly, provides maternity care, and also delivers babies at UIH. “I am a
strong advocate to reduce health disparities and enjoy teaching women’s health
procedures to our residents and medical students from UIC,” she states.
The current pandemic has changed the way Rios works. What used to be
a 15-minute visit now takes at least 30 minutes, she has been
saving every N95 that she uses in a paper bag with her name and date on it in
case they end up running short on PPE to be reused at a later time. “Notifying
a patient that they tested positive for COVID-19 can be quite daunting and
time-consuming,” she shares. “Emphasizing the importance of self-isolation
and self-monitoring of their symptoms can also be quite a challenge as well.
Reassuring patients that most will have mild symptoms and recover within two
weeks without the need for hospitalization requires their trust as it’s quite
different from what they mostly see portrayed in the news media.”
Maria Muñoz
Private Practice in
Obstetrics and Gynecology
affiliated with Rush
University Medical Center
and Resurrection Medical
Center
During the past couple of weeks, Maria Muñoz
has provided “in-person” as well as “virtual” care to patients. In doing so, she
has fielded countless phone calls from concerned expectant Moms wondering
about the risks and consequences of COVID-19 not just for themselves but for
their unborn babies and their families, which for many Latina households,
includes parents and grandparents. “The disheartening truth is that this is a
new disease shrouded in unknowns and evolving recommendations,” she
shares. “Although the available data suggests that there is no transplacental
transmission, the data is quite scarce.”
For one of Maria’s patients, the phone call came too late. “At 36 weeks,
she woke up with a fever, cough, and body aches. 24 hours later, her biggest
fears were confirmed. She tested positive for COVID-19,” she shares. “The
normally busy and happy time for expectant moms as they prepare for the
“Big Arrival”, is now consumed by thoughts unimaginable just a week prior:
Self and family survival. She delivered a preterm baby a week later.”
In labor and delivery, doctors and nurses may need to become sole
supporters, photographers, and technology experts for many women who may
not be able to have their husbands present during the birth of their babies.
Maria’s motivation to keep going comes not only from the heart but from the
results of hard work. “To see smiling faces and receive so many “bendiciones”
from grateful patients makes the sacrifice I make insignificant,” she shares.
Jennifer Peña
MD, FACP
Medical Director (Virtual
Primary Care) at Oscar
Health
“This pandemic has been like nothing we
have ever experienced,” states Jennifer
Peña. “The hardest part is reconciling being
a provider, a physician and also having the
same fears everybody else has. It’s tricky to balance that on a day to
day basis.” Board-certified, internal medicine physician with over 11 years
of clinical experience understands the needs of the underserved and
believes experiences like these is when she is making a difference.
Transitioned out of active duty service in the U.S. Army on January 2019, she
served as the White House Medical Unit as primary Physician to the Vice
President of the United States. Being able to be that person that can make a
difference when people feel the most vulnerable is what motivates her to keep
going. “It may not be a big difference but right now with COVID-19 we don’t’
have a treatment or cure,” she shares. “But just to be that person who can
provide care and reassure people during times of crisis and medical
vulnerability has been the best part.”
Marta Ambriz
X-Ray Technician
Cedars Sinai Medical
Center
Marta Ambriz is an X-Ray Technician
from Cedars Sinai Medical Center. She
works eight-hour shifts and examines
patients' lungs to help confirm if they have
contracted COVID-19. She puts her health and life
at risk every day as she helps COVID-19 patients that are ushered in and out
of the room without masks. Marta didn't have a mask until her daughter’s friends
offered extra N95 masks for her.
“Though my mom is 67 years old and part of the "seniors group" that
should be self-quarantining, she nevertheless continues to show up every day
for the health and safety of others,” shares her daughter Andrea. “She chooses
every day to use her 30+ years of experience to show up, help others and serve.
I'm so proud of her, and I think others can see their moms in mine - always
caring for others, always loving, and always giving.”
LATINAStyle Vol . 26, No. 2, 2020 www. lat inastyle.com 9
/www.latinastyle.com
