Increased access to quality patient care for the underserved is a top priority for Jessica M. Rodriguez, the newly appointed manager of the Orange County Medical Clinic.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the main things I am working on is creating more exposure of who we are and what we do, and then increasing access,\u201d she said. \u201cSo many patients are qualified to receive care but aren\u2019t aware that we exist.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the leadership of Dr. Raul Pino, Rodriguez will strive to accomplish these goals through increased community outreach, collaborative partnerships, and grants to expand services and comprehensive care through preventative measures.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez offers a blend of business acumen, problem-solving and solid networking skills to this mayoral-appointed role. She will be key to running a smooth operation and ensuring the clinic\u2019s services are aligned with its mission: \u201cto enhance the quality of life of uninsured residents through collaborative partnerships for the provision of exceptional and compassionate medical care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, the former business owner relocated to Orlando in 2012, bringing her marketing and management skills to AdventHealth. In just 12 years, she mastered the nuances of the healthcare industry, innovated processes to improve the quality of care, and seized every opportunity that came her way.\u00a0 This included opening the first AdventHealth Primary Care Plus Facility, which became the model for nearly a dozen locations throughout Orange County and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe built it from scratch – the hiring, the training. You name it,\u201d she said. \u201cI gained invaluable experience in leadership and teamwork, working closely with a team of providers and staff to deliver exceptional care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodriguez brings this patient-based business model to the Orange County Medical Clinic, a community safe haven for the uninsured since 1936.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ability to balance operational efficiency with patient care quality is a skill I\u2019ll bring into this new role,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
With just over a month into the position, Rodriguez is eager to engage with the community. A grant awarded for constructing a new mobile clinical unit will help the team reach more patients with preventative health screenings including the \u201cKnow Your Numbers\u201d campaign which provides blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI screenings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot of diabetic and hypertension patients. These patients are really sick and have exhausted emergency room visits,\u201d she said. \u201cOne of the challenges right now is those patients that need the follow-up care.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are many homeless clients who lack reliable transportation, prohibiting them from returning for routine checkups. While the clinic currently provides bus passes, Rodriguez hopes to ideate new ways to support this population.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Orange County Medical Clinic is an important resource we are actively working to expand. It primarily serves residents without medical insurance,\u201d said Dr. Pino. \u201cJessica\u2019s experience in developing and growing clinics in the Central Florida community makes her the ideal candidate for this role. I am more than confident she will excel in raising awareness and accessibility of this crucial service for our residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
When she’s not overseeing day-to-day operations at the S. Westmoreland Drive clinic, you can find Rodriguez at home cooking for family and friends or enjoying the beach.<\/p>\n