Breaking Down Patient Barriers
Jessica Rosales never knows what her workday is going to look like. And she likes it that way. As a community health worker (CHW) at Open Door White River, Jessica is on call every day to help clinical staff, patients, and community members address the challenges of life that extend beyond medicine. Whether the issue is housing, employment, insurance coverage, food access, transportation, or social support needs, she is available to connect patients and their families with the right resources.
She started at Open Door in April 2019 as a patient services representative in the new pediatrics department. Within her first three months, she was encouraged by the director of quality improvement to apply for the community health worker position. Jessica didn’t have a background in social work, but her colleagues recognized her natural ability to make patients feel comfortable and valued. As a Spanish speaker, she also could provide interpreter and translation services for the Spanish-speaking community.
Once in the position, Jessica jumped in with both feet. She researched existing resources, completed certification after certification, and leaned into the support of her co-workers. Now, she can’t imagine doing anything else.
“Every day, I meet with people who have a lot stacked against them. I love seeing the relief on their faces when we break down barriers together,” said Jessica. “I want every person I interact with to feel confident, safe, and cared for when they walk out of my office.”
Over time, Jessica has become the go-to person for parenting advice, even among staff members. In addition to raising her own children ages 15, 6, and 2, she is a certified trainer in the Positive Discipline approach that emphasizes mutual respect, emotional regulation, and consistency. She finds fulfillment in creating one-on-one and small group spaces where people can reveal their parenting imperfections and learn new ways of relating with their children.
“No one is a perfect parent. We all struggle with our kids’ behaviors and our own emotions. I am passionate about sharing Positive Discipline strategies because I’ve seen it make a big difference in my own home,” she said. “Respect, consistency, and empathy can truly transform the parent-child relationship.”
For all her efforts, Jessica was awarded the Open Door 2024 Vision Player of the Year Award. Her nominator describes her as a “treasure” who “truly goes above and beyond every day to help not only the patients she encounters, but also her coworkers. People ask for her time and again because they know she will help them from start to finish and she will do it with love and respect.”