This post has not been vetted or endorsed by BuzzFeed's editorial staff. BuzzFeed Community is a place where anyone can create a post or quiz. Try making your own!
Name: Natalie Sanchez
Position: HIV Prevention Manager at AltaMed
Natalie started working with AltaMed as a full-time Grant Writer and transitioned into the HIV unit after helping to double the amount of funding for Prevention.
I enjoy developing my team members to being the most caring, sensitive, and skilled counseling and prevention staff there can be. It's always so rewarding to hear the clients positive feedback on how each of them has helped them in critical moments in their lives.
AltaMed's mission is 'to eliminate disparities in health care access and outcomes by providing superior quality health and human services through an integrated world-class delivery system for Latino, multi-ethnic and underserved communities in Southern California.'Working in the HIV services unit we work with some of the most marginalized communities and there's an added layer of cultural competency for the LGBT community where we work towards not just tolerance but acceptance and validation of sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, and HIV statuses.
APIAHF has helped me in so many ways. They have been one of my secret weapons to taking our program to another level. They played a role in helping me transition to my role as the HIV Prevention Manager, they have provided me with leadership training, and have worked hand in hand with my frontline supervisors and staff on team building, preparing for High Impact Prevention, and now Linkage to Care.
They have helped me work on both hard and soft skills as a leader. I appreciate that they bring so much structure to the work we do.
This year we are working on PrEP implementation in our system of care. This is very exciting because we will be ensuring access of biomedical prevention methods to the Latino community in the Los Angeles county.
Having an appreciation for our health helps us to recognize the small things in life such as the ability to breath, walk, run, smile, and see, which all make life feel abundant and/or blessed. It's a great reminder that good health is wealth. A gift and luxury that when used, taken care of, and appreciated will afford us opportunities of strength, wellness, and good spirit. In the work we do, generosity matters. The generosity to make someone's life feel significant to listen without judging, to reassure when in doubt, and to encouragingly say we are here to help.
Share This Article
