MyChart®
When Johanna Velazquez first walked through the doors of TrueCare Vista Way as a Medical Assistant, it wasn’t the average first-day-on-the-job experience. For most people, a new job feels like a new beginning. For Johanna, however, her first day was a homecoming.
“I’ve been coming to TrueCare basically since I was born,” Johanna explained. “Growing up as a patient here really inspired me to give back to the community that helped me and my family. Now, every day I come to work, I feel like I’m helping people just like me,” she said.
For Johanna, TrueCare is more than a workplace; it’s an integral part of the fabric of her life, her family’s life, and her community. To gain a better understanding of what makes TrueCare a special place to work, meet Johanna, who embodies our community impact.
A Full-Circle Moment: From Patient to Medical Assistant
Johanna’s passion for health care began long before she ever put on scrubs. As a child, she experienced TrueCare’s compassionate, community-based care firsthand. Those experiences not only shaped her view of health care; they shaped her future.
Ultimately, Johanna’s journey is a powerful example of how TrueCare isn’t just providing care but building lasting connections, nurturing potential, and creating opportunities for the next generation. That connection to the community is what she likes most.
“Now that I’m on the other side, it’s amazing,” she shared. “I get to support people like my parents, my grandparents, and even kids like me growing up. It’s personal. I see my friends, family, and myself in them, so I know how much compassionate health care means to them. You’re really changing lives. That’s what makes it so special,” she said.
Rooted in Compassion and Care
Johanna has been with TrueCare for nearly four years. In the four years that she’s been on our team, her love for the work, her team, and the patients hasn’t waned one iota. In fact, it has grown stronger with time, which she attributes to the people she works with and helps.
“My favorite thing about working here is definitely my coworkers and the patients we serve,” Johanna said. “But what makes me smile when I come into work? Well, that’s easy. The team I work with is really incredible and makes working here feel like more than just a job – it’s definitely a family vibe. I get to work alongside amazing people like Julieta Urbina and my friend Dominique “Cibele” Lopez. We’ve created something really special together,” she added.
At the end of the day, however, TrueCare’s nonprofit model and mission-driven culture are a huge part of what drew Johanna in, what’s kept her inspired, and what motivates her to grow in her role.
She said that is important to keep in mind when preparing for an interview with our nonprofit organization.
“This is not a for-profit clinic. Everything is about the patient,” Johanna explained. “When we say that, we aren’t just using buzzwords. It’s genuine. You feel it in everything we do. That’s really important for applicants to understand – a commitment to serving your community has to be baked into who you are,” she added.
A Place Where You’re Heard and Where You Grow
Despite being part of a large, growing organization, Johanna says TrueCare still feels like home. Just like families grow, move houses, and change, she says TrueCare does the same.
“You get to know your directors, you can email anyone, and you’re heard,” Johanna explained. “What more could you want? It’s definitely a welcoming workplace. You’re encouraged to contribute and share ideas. It makes a huge difference when you know that leadership values your ideas and input because it means you’re contributing and investing in the mission. In a way, it becomes more personal because of that,” she said.
Johanna also appreciates the strong female leadership across TrueCare and what that represents for the future of health care and considers them as trailblazers.
“Seeing so many women in leadership here is really inspiring,” Johanna said proudly. “It shows what a force women are in this field, and it motivates all of us on the team. They’re always telling us if they can accomplish what they have, we can do the same, and that encouragement makes a huge difference, because not everyone receives it often,” she said.
At the Vista Way location, Johanna wears many hats and does everything from supporting patients to managing inventory and ordering supplies. But Johanna is always looking to grow and develop, so she is also looking ahead.
But what, exactly, is her next career goal? It’s becoming a Health Partner, where she can educate patients on prevention, diet, cholesterol, and more.
“I have a passion for preventative health care,” Joahanna enthused. “TrueCare gives me a place to grow that passion and develop the skills I need to progress in that field, and they are great about opening up that discussion to see what they can do to help me reach those career goals, so I feel like they’re invested in my professional development,” she said.
Giving Back Through Community Connection
One of Johanna’s favorite memories is TrueCare’s annual Halloween Boo Bash, where she helped represent Vista Way as the newest clinic and strengthened the clinic’s relationship with the surrounding community.
“We set up a tent, decorated our booth, gave out candy to the kids, and talked with families about what we offer because we were expanding next door,” Johanna remembered with a nostalgic fondness. “It was such a fun way to connect with the community and show them everything we’re building here,” she added.
And there’s a lot happening at Vista Way, from new dental and chiropractic services to upcoming expansions like quick X-rays and quick care.
TrueCare is expanding, and Johanna is not just excited – she’s proud to be a part of what this means for the organization and San Diego populations that are too often underserved.
“For people in our community who struggle with transportation, having everything in one place is incredible,” Johanna explained. “Now they can come to one location for everything they need, and that’s huge. It’s life-changing for some people. I mean, take it from someone who has experienced its transformative power. Being able to get the medical care they need can literally improve every aspect of their life. I’m proud to be a part of that,” she said.
Inspired by Johanna Velazquez’s Story? Apply Today to Join Our Legacy of Change and Community.
“I just love helping people and feeling like I am making a difference in someone’s life,” Johanna concluded. “TrueCare really helps me do that. Plus, my mom’s proud of me for working here, and you’re never too old to get brownie points with your mom,” she laughed.
When you join an organization like TrueCare, you’re not simply becoming a member of a team of health care professionals. When you are a part of our nonprofit organization, you will be a part of a legacy that continues to shape the future of our cherished San Diego community by elevating everyone’s quality of life. Johanna’s journey from lifelong patient to passionate Medical Assistant shows what’s possible when a health care organization is rooted in community and committed to care. If you’re looking for more than just a job and want to be part of something that truly makes a difference, there’s a place for you here.
At TrueCare, you’re not just supported. You’re seen. You’re valued. And just like Johanna, you’re empowered to build a future full of purpose. Explore open positions to join our legacy and shape the future of San Diego.