MA Valedictorian Speech 2016

Graduation Speech – Wendy Evora

Hello, my name is Wendy Evora. I am glad to be here tonight representing the hard work we have all done in class and in our internships. I would like to say thank you to all of our family and friends for their support. Without you, this day could not be possible.

My father once told me, “No one can take knowledge away from you.”  I feel so lucky to be one of many people in our multicultural community that Briya, in partnership with Mary’s Center, has given the opportunity to reach the next step in education and job options regardless of our ability to pay. At Briya, I found not just the highest quality of education in ESL, parenting, computers, high school diploma program, and Medical Assistant program, but also a community of people who really care. That is what has kept me working harder and harder because you cannot find that anywhere else.

While in the Medical Assistant Program, I learned that as an MA, we are bridges of communication between the providers and the patients. I saw in the internship and practice how the clients really need not just people who can speak their language but also people who can read their expressions and body language to know how to communicate with them and help them. It’s not just explaining the medical terminology—it is about helping patients with their needs. If they don’t have money to pay for their rent, they might not be able to pay for their medicine.

Sometimes we get so busy helping patient after patient, it’s hard to remember to be there for each individual person. We need to understand the different needs of each person and have empathy for them in a busy health care environment.

We can make the person feel good by taking care of them, smiling at them, giving them quality time and attention for even five to 10 minutes while we are taking their blood pressure. We can ask them, “How are you doing?  Are you able to get groceries?”

We need to get the most out of that communication by finding out a little bit about that person. The provider doesn’t have the time to do that. We are the ones to first meet them and we can get that quality information and show we care.

In closing, I am so glad that at school and in the workplace, I have found not just classmates or coworkers but friends who have helped me to serve those who are seeking help. My parents always told me, “Wendy, you must help others without expecting rewards.” This saying so closely matches Briya’s and Mary’s Center’s missions.

Before I came to Briya, I was closed in the four walls of my apartment. My manager told me, “The only limit you have is the sky. You can reach and accomplish whatever you want.”  I am here to tell you the same thing. Reach for the sky and while you are doing so, help as many people as you can.

I would like to say thank you to the MA staff and teachers.  Also, a special thank you to Jennifer. You have given us those five minutes of quality time. You have heard us and helped us.  Thank you for all you have done. And most importantly, thank you, Briya, for caring.