From September 15 to October 15, we be a part of the nation in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, a month that honors the various cultures of Individuals whose ancestors signify nations in Central and South America, the islands of the Caribbean, Mexico and Spain. Throughout this time, Crothall Healthcare want to shine a highlight on our Spanish-speaking group members and the good work they do day in and time out.

Sonia Maldonado is one such group member, an worker who has been with Crothall for nearly 20 years and whose contributions and story replicate the targets of our group. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Sonia moved to Brooklyn, New York on the age of 15, shortly earlier than turning into a younger single mom at 16. Though the circumstances have been tough, as a brand new mom in a brand new place, Sonia was at all times motivated and rose to the problem for herself and her son. She made the tough resolution to drop out of highschool and begin working to help her son.

She gained expertise in retail after which labored in a substance abuse program for 4 years. When she misplaced this place, she contacted a detailed buddy who labored for Morrison Healthcare. Coincidentally, there was an administrative EVS place open at Crothall on the identical account. Sonia was accepted and given a yr to acquire her GED. Undeterred, she as an alternative earned her GED inside weeks of the interview, and her profession at Crothall started.

As a younger Latina lady main groups composed of principally males, Sonia typically needed to work tougher to earn the respect and belief of the groups she led. However each day she discovered to like her place and obtained used to the day by day hustle and bustle and the truth that there was at all times one thing new to do. She embraced the teachings she discovered each day, and it wasn't lengthy earlier than she grew to become director of a 200-bed facility within the Bronx.

Throughout her twenty years at Crothall, Sonia served as director of Elmhurst Hospital, Kings County Hospital, Atlantis Nursing House, Mount Sinai and JCMC. Now a mom of two grown kids, she has set her sights on her subsequent purpose: returning to high school to earn her B.A. She has overcome many challenges in her profession, however Sonia wouldn't have it some other manner. Her origins as a proud Boriqua and the adversities she has overcome have given her the power to face any problem that comes her manner. The larger the problem, the extra decided she is to succeed.

“I’m very proud to be Puerto Rican and to say that Spanish is my first language,” says Sonia. “I need to proceed to develop and be an instance for younger individuals who could also be in the identical scenario as me. doesn't should cease them from reaching their targets.”