Apr. 15—Meet Norma Ochoa

Hometown: I was born in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and I was raised in Tucson, Arizona. My husband and I moved to Oklahoma in 1992.

Hobbies: I have six gorgeous, healthy grand babies that I love being with. I love to read and my great love is to cook.

Experience: In the late '90s, I worked at the Tulsa-City Health Department and it was there that I found my love for interpreting. I have since worked at Saint Francis Hospital and here at Rogers County Health Department for seven years, as a front clerk and interpreter. I served on the Board of Directors for the Rogers County Free Clinic and I also worked at Hillcrest Hospital in Claremore.

Norma Ochoa is the new Community health Worker and Spanish Interpreter for the Rogers COUnt Health Department. Ochoa shares information about her new role.

1. What made you want to work at the Rogers County Health Department?

I was given an amazing opportunity to return to RCHD in a different capacity compared to what I did before as a clerk, this time as a Community Health Worker. It is a perfect fit for me because it brings me back to my first love, which is to be of service to others!

I hope to aid the Hispanic community in finding helpful resources for their families. Within this community, a language barrier exists which makes finding resources a struggle. So, on May 5, we will host a Cinco de Mayo event at the health department to bring awareness that I am here to help! We will have lots of fun and helpful information for our community. This will be a perfect time to meet me, your Community Health Worker, along with other Health Department staff like your Health Educator, Chrissy Swift.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish in your new role?

To get reacquainted with my community and district, to be a voice for the health department, and to be a voice and advocate for the people I serve. To let our community know that they are not alone! There are people who work hard to provide important services beyond what many think are available here at the health department. Small victories lead to bigger victories!

3. What is one thing you wish the public knew about your job?

This new role is so different from anything else there has been before. I am here as an advocate to clients and I will be there every step of the way to help my clients until their needs are met. I will continue to check in and follow up with them so we can provide services to the best of our ability.

4. Did you always want to be a Community Health Worker and Interpreter?

I knew I always wanted to be of service to others in some capacity. I found my "specialty" in my own first language. It has given me my purpose.

5. What accomplishment so far in your career are you most proud of?

There are many goals yet to be made and accomplished since this is all very new but I am so, so happy to have been accepted and appointed to this role and be part of a greater team with all the same mind set.