March 30^th is National Doctors’ Day, and to celebrate our Mary’s Center’s physicians we sat down with four of our providers to learn more about their journey in becoming a doctor and why they chose to work at Mary’s Center. We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing dedication and expertise that our doctors provide in serving our communities!

This Q&A features responses from Dr. Meghana Rao, OBGYN; Dr. Vineet Dhar, Pedodontist; Dr. Maria Marquez, Vice President of Clinical Education and Pediatrician; and Dr. Daniel Smith, Director of Addiction Services and Family Practitioner.

Why did you become a dentist/ doctor?

• Rao: I actually volunteered at an FQHC in California in high school and I knew immediately I wanted to keep doing that work and serving the people that visited these centers. I was passionate about helping people in their pregnancy journeys and throughout their lifespan.
• Dhar: I have always had a keen interest in healthcare sciences. Since no one else had a healthcare background in my family, I decided to shadow medical and dental practitioners during my high school years. I remember being fascinated by how dentistry connects art with science!
• Marquez: In high school I was in between engineering, medicine and architecture. I decided to pursue medicine as I had and have a strong desire to help others, and improve health of the people and the communities, with an equity and social justice lenses. I think that medicine is a fascinating field that requires health care providers to not only deeply understand science, and the human body but also the social and environmental factors that can impact our health.
• Smith: I became a doctor so I could use the opportunities I’ve been given to serve those in need. There is so much inequity in this world and a career in medicine was the way for me to try to help make an impact in the lives of my neighbors with less resources.

What do you enjoy most in your day-to-day work?

• Dhar: It is very rewarding to see children have a positive experience in the dental office. I cherish the opportunity to help children develop healthy oral habits and maintain optimal oral health.
• Marquez: Every day is great for me, when I arrive to the clinic or to a reunion in a room or a virtual space, meeting the participants and Mary’s Center team. For me it is fulfilling, with a combination of a meaningful mission, a supportive and collaborative team, working in a patient-centered care system and in a work-environment that promotes a work life balance, and having the opportunities for professional development and growth, all these are few of the many reasons that I love about my job.
• Smith: I love getting to know people from so many different cultures and communities. Every day I spend my time with my wonderful coworkers and patients who come from all over the world and bring such rich life experiences and wisdom.

What do you value about Mary’s Center? Why are community health care centers important?

• Rao: Everyone at MC goes out of their way to help participants and to help each other. I’ve never seen another clinic with such a collaborative work culture. I love how even if we aren’t the right person to help with something, we find someone who can.
• Marquez: Mary’s Center is a mission-driven and innovative organization that matches my ideals in medicine. By prioritizing the needs of the participants, Mary’s Center can ensure that we are providing services that meet the unique needs of each person we serve. This can lead to better health outcomes, higher levels of patient satisfaction, and an overall increase in the quality of care provided. Community centers are important because they are designed to provide care to underserved populations, such as those with limited access to healthcare due to financial, geographic, or other barriers. There are many opportunities for interprofessional collaboration, and the community centers employ a variety of healthcare professionals, as medical providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, and behavioral health specialists.
• Smith: I value that I can recommend Mary’s Center to anyone I meet and have confidence that they will be treated with respect and as a valuable human being from the moment they walk through the front door. Community Health Centers provide comprehensive services for everyone regardless of their financial circumstances and that is the true spirit of medicine. We are here to serve our neighbors in times of need.

What have you learned while working at Mary’s Center?

• Rao: I’ve had the chance to learn a lot about different cultures, communities, and values. I’ve learned a lot from patients, and it’s been very eye-opening working with so many different communities.
• Marquez: Mary’s Center takes a patient-centered approach to healthcare by asking individuals what is preventing them from being healthy and then working with them to address those needs. This inspires me every day to do the right things, asking the right questions and providing tailored support, for personalized and individualized care to meet their needs.
• Smith: I have learned so many things while working at Mary’s Center, but I think the most important is that all people are deserving of compassion and respect. Every day I’m blown away by the resilience and strength of my patients and coworkers. We are all in this together!

Join us in celebrating National Doctors’ Day by making a donation to Mary’s Center in honor of a doctor who has made an impact in your life. Your support will help to ensure that Mary’s Center’s providers can continue to serve all who walk through our doors, regardless of their ability to pay.