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What if we told you that a career in health care could give you more than just a paycheck? When you work at TrueCare, you don’t just get a job where you clock in and out. You get a career that provides you with purpose, pride, and a community legacy. For almost 35 years, Dr. Radha Iyengar has been living proof that working at TrueCare is a professional calling. From treating generations of families to shaping the future of compassionate health care, she’s seen firsthand how one organization can transform lives, including her own.
Discover the heart of TrueCare’s mission, the culture that keeps people here for decades, and why your next career move could easily become your life’s work through the lens of Dr. Iyengar’s long, impressive, and storied tenure with our organization.
Dr. Radha Iyengar on Why She Loves Working at TrueCare Carlsbad, and Why You Will, Too!
Dr. Radha Iyengar is a pediatrician who has been associated with TrueCare for nearly 35 years, and she currently cares for patients at the Carlsbad location. Below, you can hear in her own words what she loves so much about working with TrueCare, and why you will, too!
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Why Have You Worked at TrueCare for So Long?
Dr. Iyengar said what has fueled her to continue working with TrueCare over the last 35 years, and what continues to fuel it, has been the feeling that she’s making a difference.
“What’s really special about working at TrueCare is the patients – when you work with the different people in the community, you genuinely feel like you are making a difference. These are people who would not have otherwise had access to high-quality health care. There are definitely some challenges, but you’ll always have that in this field. What’s rewarding is feeling like you’ve made a difference in somebody’s life,” said Dr. Iyengar.
Dr. Iyengar said the people she works with also make the work that much more meaningful.
“I really like the people I work with because they’re all like-minded, too. You start to realize that everyone is working toward the same goal, and that makes it feel like you are part of something greater, something special. Everyone is very mission-driven and dedicated to serving the patient population above all else,” reflected Dr. Iyengar.
On that note, Dr. Iyengar said the mission within the organization has also kept her around.
“I found the clinic’s mission of being able to provide quality, affordable, and accessible medical care to be my calling. That alignment in values is really important to having a long and successful career with the organization. It’s a nice place, the team is great, and it’s good work, so why would I ever want to change that?” asked Dr. Iyengar.
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How Do You Contribute to the Company Culture at TrueCare?
Given her position and tenure, Dr. Iyengar is a tone setter. She is undoubtedly a driving force of our company culture and provides essential mentorship and guidance to nurture staff members. She said part of that is instilling the idea of intent behind every action.
“Every mission starts with intent; it starts with the why, and that’s something we try to show our staff. Intention has to underscore everything we do. What I tell staff is that you can’t look at your work like it’s just an eight-to-five and just go through your day to check boxes. This isn’t the kind of environment where you can just say, ‘OK, I’m writing my chief complaint, or I’m just doing vitals.’ You have to think about why you’re doing everything. If you’re looking at a growth chart and see how a child is growing or not growing, you need to be able to interpret what you’re looking at and educate patients,” explained Dr. Iyengar.
Dr. Iyengar also touched on the importance of identifying care gaps and our organization’s commitment to closing them for the entire community.
“Take care gaps, for example. You’re trying to close them. But why? It’s not just because you have to, or you’re being told to, or you’ve just been taught it’s just what you should do. Think it through. You catch someone’s cancer early when you do that. Or maybe it’s immunizations that prevent a child from getting a horrible illness. You can only make a difference in a patient’s life if you move with this kind of intention,” added Dr. Iyengar.
Dr. Iyengar said she tries to get her team to zoom out and take a look at the bigger picture, too, for a true understanding of what their collective goal and intention are.
“If you can prevent illnesses, you’re protecting that community – you’re making them healthier. You’re giving them education and knowledge that can help their families and, ultimately, their communities for generations to come, long after we’re gone if you really take some time to think about it. People pass down healthy habits. At the end of the day, a healthy community is a productive community, and that’s good for the entire country,” mused Dr. Iyengar.
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Why Did You Get Into Health Care in the First Place?
Dr. Iyengar said she has wanted to be a doctor since she can remember, and she is particularly passionate about pediatrics.
“I’ve always known I wanted to be a doctor from when I was young. That’s what I used to tell my parents. I grew up in India, and there was a medical school that opened up when I was in elementary school. I used to tell my parents I’ll go there one day. That’s what I did. Then I got into pediatrics – I love pediatrics because you’re making a huge difference and playing a part in a child’s growth and development by being a partner with their parents. You’re achieving good outcomes for that child, and it’s really rewarding,” said Dr. Iyengar.
Dr. Iyengar said a benefit of working in pediatrics with a community clinic like TrueCare is being able to become like an unofficial member of families by treating generations.
“Since I’ve started, the kids I was seeing are now bringing their kids to me. So I’m seeing the next generation of their families, and it’s just a really special thing. Our patients really view us as extended family, and you don’t get that trust at other places. It’s rare, and it’s also something I don’t take for granted,” smiled Dr. Iyengar.
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How Does TrueCare Promote Growth?
Dr. Iyengar has seen TrueCare in all of its iterations, and she said that two things have remained consistent: the commitment to serving communities that are too often underserved, and the support for its team.
“I’ve seen the evolution of this company. I used to be in a leadership role in the sense that I was a lead clinician, which I stepped down from a year and a half ago because I wanted to focus on patient care. We have really good leadership. They’ve done a good job of providing stability and making us feel proud to work here. They’ve been really supportive and receptive to ideas and feedback, and they’re very responsive. I can reach out to our clinical director, Dr. Catho, and she’s always very approachable. I definitely feel supported – there’s no doubt about that,” Dr. Iyengar said.
Dr. Iyengar specifically noted the woman-driven force that is TrueCare leadership and what it means for her and the rest of the team to see women in leadership roles.
“It’s definitely something I’m really proud of. Since the beginning, women have been a driving force of our clinic and have fueled the mission. Now, TrueCare is known everywhere thanks to the work these women have done. The other day, I took my mom to an ophthalmology appointment and saw a patient come in. They went to the front desk, and they asked who referred them, and they said, TrueCare. The person at the front desk was very familiar with TrueCare. That’s a testament to our leadership. So we’ve grown a lot, and we continue to grow. There’s a lot of pride that comes with saying you work here, and we have an excellent team at all levels that bolsters that pride,” said Dr. Iyengar.
Dr. Iyengar said the nature of community clinics also promotes considerable growth, especially when taking into consideration the population of patients.
“There are people who come to us and have never had good care, sometimes from other countries. Because they haven’t had access to good care, you have to educate them. They might come in, and we’ll find a heart abnormality that hasn’t been diagnosed at all, or someone might come in with a child who is underweight. The very nature of the patients we see creates endless learning and growth opportunities,” said Dr. Iyengar.
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What’s the Most Rewarding Part of Working at TrueCare?
Dr. Iyengar said that, ultimately, the most rewarding part of her job is that every day she gets to come into the clinic feels like a reward in and of itself.
“I just feel happy to come to work. I don’t wake up and dread having to go back and face the people here, whether it’s my colleagues or the patients. Truly loving the work and living the mission is really important to longevity here – it’s how I’ve carved out a 30-year career with the organization. When you wake up, and you’re happy, you bring that positive energy, and that translates across the board, even into the care you give your patients,” said Dr. Iyengar.
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What Resonates with You About TrueCare’s Mission?
Dr. Iyengar said that TrueCare’s mission inspires her to do great work, and when it comes to what resonates with her about it, she said it’s the fact that the mission is an equalizer.
“I think everybody should receive equal medical care, and you can’t just differentiate because somebody has insurance. They’re all humans, so if there’s an illness or problem, they deserve exceptional care, period. By working in a community clinic, I have access to a lot of programs that would not be available in a private practice, which would limit what I can provide to patients. Here, I just really feel like I’m helping people and making a difference in people’s lives,” beamed Dr. Iyengar with pride.
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Are You Inspired by Dr. Radha Iyengar’s Words & Story? Apply for Open Roles at TrueCare Today!
Dr. Radha Iyengar’s 35-year tenure at TrueCare is a true testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. When both come together, you find the kind of work that’s worth dedicating your life to. Here, every day brings the chance to make a real difference, whether it’s closing care gaps, mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers, or giving a child a healthier start in life. If you’re ready to join a team that treats its mission as more than words on paper, where your skills can change lives, and where your career can grow for years to come, TrueCare is ready for you. Explore career opportunities at TrueCare!