Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Doctor Reina Rodriguez-James,MD. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Doctor Reina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I born and raised in El Salvador, I graduated as General Medicine and Surgeon Doctor in my country. Was an earthquake in 2000, at that time I already had my first daughter, and I was working in a small town. Due to the earthquake, I lost my job, my aunt offered me to help me here in USA for a few months. I accepted and came with my baby to EEUU. Here nothing was easy, I had to take care of my daughter (I was single mom) and work to provide and pay for my bills.
Because I cannot work as a doctor I had to work in factories, cleaning houses, restaurants.
Eventually I got a permit to work as RMA (Register Medical Assistant), I worked for 5 yrs. with Dr. Tettamantis, then I worked 10 yrs. 10 months with Digestive Health Specialist and finally I got my current job with Public Health at the Health Department of Forsyth County, NC.
I have here 4 yrs. working as a Bilingual Health Educator. First, I was hired to work with Materno-Infant classes, I was Crib for Kids coordinator; due to the COVID pandemic and with my background I was assigned to work with the Hispanic Liaison Emergency program. Me and another person worked very hard educating and helping the Hispanic community in Forsyth County for around 3 yrs. Nothing was easy but not impossible. We helped thousands of families with education, food, medicine, vaccines, incentives.
For one year I presented a document with info about how we can continue helping the community in this county after the pandemic….
And, finally after some exhausted months proving documentations that we need Hispanic Liaison as a permanent program in the County, the commissioners accepted, and we have today a very new program HISPANIC LIAISON OF FORSYTH COUNTY PROGRAM!!
We are building the new program, our mission is to be the bridge between the Public Health and the Hispanic community, help the Police, Sherrif department, DSS to gain the trust with the community; organize and execute events where we can have the info about all the resources and organizations here in the county for any new or established resident (s) may need.
If I do not take the risk 22 yrs. ago probably Hispanic Liaison Program will not exist yet.
Doctor Reina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am very passionate person that love to work and help everybody (person, families), the community in general. If I am driving or walking and see a person that needs help, I stop and offer my help.
If a friend of mine needs help, I do not doubt to help.
If you need help and live in or around Forsyth County, please call us at 336-422-8873.
We have info about free doctor clinics, pharmacy, food pantries, clothes, legal help, etc.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
yes, I will do the same thing. Became a General Medicine and Surgeon Doctor, enjoy working with the community in El Salvador and here.
How’d you meet your business partner?
I met my co-worker when we were working with the testing sites during the pandemic. She and I were working one day and saw the cars were almost crashing trying to get the COVID test done, Josefina was probably a mile far from me, she saw the problem look a me and I hear people yelling look at Josefina and she jumped to the scene and started moving the traffic in the testing site.
then when the position opened, I called her (she was working with a different organization), told about the new program and she apply.
Now, we work together building this very new program. 
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Reina Rodriguez
- Facebook: Reina Rodriguez
- Linkedin: Reina Rodriguez
Image Credits
Josefina Acosta. file:///C:/Users/Rodrigre/Downloads/IMG_8285.HEIC
