When it comes to your career, it’s not every day that you have the chance to do what you love and help the people and community you love the most in the process. But, for Edilberto “Eddie” Canseco, Physician Associate-Certified (PA-C), this dream-come-true has been his daily reality working at TrueCare. He has been dedicated to the health care field since he was 18, a passion sparked by wanting to do more for his own family. After years of working in private practice and the emergency department, he was looking for a role that offered both a deep connection to the community and a sustainable work-life balance. 

Eddie found that unique opportunity at TrueCare’s La Mision health center. He shared how the supportive environment, integrated system of care, and deep satisfaction of giving back to his community have made TrueCare the perfect fit. 

[H2] Edilberto (Eddie) Canseco, PA-C, on Provider Jobs at TrueCare | Apply Today to Grow Your Career! 

For Edilberto “Eddie” Canseco, practicing medicine is deeply personal, connecting his professional life to the community that shaped him. He was more than happy to share the motivation that led him to pursue a career in mission-driven health care.

[H3] What Inspired You to Work in Community Health Care?

Eddie Canseco‘s dedication to health care is rooted in a desire to serve those most in need, a motivation he felt from a young age.

“I’ve been in the health care field since I was 18 years old. I went to EMT school and never looked back. But what really inspired me was that, one time, I saw my dad sick, and I couldn’t do much about it, so I kind of wanted to know more and do more. That’s what led me into the field. I joined TrueCare about a year ago – I found the organization through social media and Indeed, and then I spoke to a few doctors working here, and they were all really nice, so that led me to come to work here,” said Eddie. 

As for what stood out to him about the organization specifically, Eddie summarized it in one word – transparency.

“One of the things that led me to come to TrueCare after talking to some of the medical directors was that they were really honest and very transparent with working hours and the number of patients we see. It made me excited about everything, from the work to the growing opportunities to the work-life balance,” smiled Eddie.

This calling is why he feels such a connection to his current role at TrueCare, as he grew up in a similar underserved community that TrueCare (then North County Health Services) once served. Now, he’s able to give back to the neighborhood he knows.

“I was a patient of North County Health Services as a kid, and I remember my mom and dad bringing me to the one in San Marcos a lot. But I grew up in a similar, underserved community. TrueCare has helped me a lot, and now I’m on the other side, helping the community. It just makes me feel really good,” said Eddie. 

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[H3] What Is It Like to Practice Medicine at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)?

For providers used to other medical settings, the resources and mission of an FQHC can be surprising in the best way. Eddie found that TrueCare’s mission allows him to help every patient who walks through the door, regardless of their circumstances.

In fact, his experience at TrueCare is a stark contrast to his experience in the private sector.

“Before, I was working in a private practice and doing family medicine, but I worked in the emergency department, and I was working a lot of hours every week. So there was definitely a different pace and less of a work-life balance,” reflected Eddie. 

He said that he loves being able to help patients, even if they don’t have insurance, and that it’s incredibly fulfilling to help communities that are too often underserved.

“We do have a lot of funding, and we are able to help patients, even patients who don’t have any sort of insurance. We are basically allowed to, for example, do a shave biopsy or a small procedure that, somewhere else, they’d be charged a lot of money for. But they’re able to come here to TrueCare, and we can help them out,” smiled Eddie. 

This is, ultimately, his favorite part of working here. 

“Being able to help anybody who walks through the door and provide them with the best care that we can feels so good. We also have a really good integrated system overall compared to other places I’ve worked. Every clinic has their own stuff, and glitches are going to happen everywhere, but from working at other places, I have found that we have one of the best ways to collaborate and provide integrated care,” said Eddie. 

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[H3] How Does TrueCare Support Providers?

Eddie had plenty of praise for the supportive atmosphere TrueCare has cultivated for providers and patients alike, starting with warm handoffs. 

“Warm handoffs are really satisfying. For example, maybe someone needs to see a gynecologist or even a psychiatrist. Sometimes we get patients who need specific help like that, but we can’t provide it right there when they need it. That’s where warm handoffs come into play, so we can send patients right away to get the care they need,” smiled Eddie. 

The other type of support that TrueCare offers providers, Eddie said, was the team that providers join when they come on board. 

“Everybody here is really welcoming and nice. All the MAs, nurses, and doctors here are great, and I think we have a really strong team. I definitely see myself here long term. You have a team behind you here that you can always call on if you don’t feel comfortable, and that just amplifies our impact,” said Eddie. 

As for how TrueCare supports growth, Eddie said that he feels like they are completely invested in his personal and professional development. 

“I just got a scholarship for the Lifestyle Medicine program, so I’m currently doing that. I have the board exam at the end of November. Beyond that, the number of patients I keep seeing and the different ways it helps me grow better. I get better by helping them get better, so just connecting with patients is great,” smiled Eddie. 

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[H3] Why Is TrueCare a Great Place for New Providers to Start?

Eddie said that the onboarding process, in particular, was a great and supportive experience, and that new providers should look forward to it.

“The onboarding process was a few months, but that’s pretty normal. They were really supportive and allowed me to come into the clinic and meet everybody and see the way they work. The process is super transparent, so you see the amount of patience you’ll be working with throughout this process, the timing and hours you’ll work, and all of that. It’s not normal for organizations to be so upfront, but it really builds trust,” said Eddie.

He strongly recommends TrueCare for new graduates seeking a place to grow.

“You definitely have the support of the nurses, assistants, and doctors here. You can always ask them for help if you don’t feel comfortable. The support is really strong, and I think that for a new grad, especially, it will be something that they need because when you come out of school, you need people to bounce ideas off of, and you need to be able to talk to other providers and patients. Everybody here is pretty good about that and open-minded. This is really a perfect environment for a recent graduate,” said Eddie. 

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[H3] What Is the Greatest Source of Pride in Your Work?

Working in the community where he grew up gives Eddie a unique cultural understanding that he uses to better connect with and treat his patients. This deep connection is what drives his greatest sense of pride.

“One of the things that I really like is that, you know, I understand that patients are sometimes shy or scared to come to us, so I can help them out and make them feel comfortable about opening up about their medical problems. I see myself in them, so it’s easier for me to connect in that way,” smiled Eddie. 

His personal background also informs his medical advice. For patients with diabetes, for example, he’s able to understand why diet changes are hard. 

“I  know about their diet and socioeconomic situations because I come from the same environment. For example, we get diabetic patients, and sometimes it’s harder to change their diet because it’s just the way they were raised. It’s their culture. I’m able to understand that because I come from that culture, too,” reflected Eddie. 

For Eddie, the best feeling, however, is seeing long-term results. 

“When I go home and I actually talk to my wife about, ‘Oh yeah, you know, I was able to help this patient get his numbers down or, you know, improve his blood pressure,” added Eddie. 

Eddie said that, compared to where he was 10 years ago, he’s very proud to be at TrueCare.

“I’m really proud of where I’m at right now. Like I said, helping the patients I see and giving them answers is super fulfilling, but 10 years ago, maybe I was kind of in search of what I wanted to do or work in. Like I said, I worked in emergency medicine for about six or seven years, and at the same time, I was working in the clinic. But I’ve actually found that working in a place like this gives me the most satisfaction – I just love helping patients in the long term,” said Eddie. 

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[H2] Are You Inspired by the Words of Eddie Canseco? Apply Today. 

Eddie Canseco’s journey highlights the best of the TrueCare experience: an organization that supports its providers with integrated systems, encourages a healthy work-life balance, and empowers them to make a tangible, long-term impact on the community. 

If you are a Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, or other provider looking for a career where you can grow your skills while giving back, explore our open positions today!