Small in stature but big in heart , Rodriguez serves as both a respected mentor and a cherished friend to all at the clinic . Students come to her with questions about clinical cases , coursework and careers . Patients , anxious to catch their bus home in time , are relieved to know she ’ s remembered their routes and filled their prescriptions in advance . She manages to keep track of it all , providing calming comfort and infectious laughs along the way .
It came as no surprise then that Rodriguez was named the 2021 recipient of the Arnold P . Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges ( AAMC ). It ’ s a national honor of compassionate care and mentorship , which her team believes she embodies to the fullest . But after years of tending to those around her , the humble Rodriguez is still getting used to the recognition .
“ I do what I do because I love it and I love our patients , and I would do it alone in a closet if no one ever saw me ,” says Rodriguez . “ This is more than just my job ; it really does speak to who I am as a person .”
Rodriguez and the Student-Run Free Clinic are united in their mission to provide humanistic and holistic health care to all . “ I try to treat my patients as a whole person ,” she says . In their conversations , she gets to know not only the patient ’ s physical ailments , but also other factors that influence their health — things like their families , finances , language and culture .
“ It all starts with the patient – physician relationship ,” she says . “ We have to be open and authentic with each other . Once that safety and trust is established , that ’ s when the best patient care happens .”
NEXT GENERATION : With faculty supervision , students interview , examine , diagnose , treat and follow-up with patients .
Her work gives new meaning to the phrase “ family medicine .” In her 20 years at the clinic , Rodriguez ’ s patients have invited her to numerous weddings and quinceañeras . She even treats some of the same families she met when first joining the clinic as a student volunteer in 2001 .
Like many patients at the free clinic , the Quiñonez family did not have health insurance when they moved from Tijuana to San Diego . Sisters Carolina and Dulce were teenagers when their family found the clinic , and describe their first appointment as a “ huge relief ” after a long struggle to find care .
“ When I met Dr . Rodriguez , I was suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding , vomiting and had lost a lot of weight ,” said Carolina Quiñonez . “ She spoke to us in Spanish and was able to get me medication for a hormonal imbalance .”
In addition to her hormone treatments , Carolina received acupuncture and dental services , and met with the bilingual psychologist during a bout of depression . She and her sister also benefited from the clinic ’ s food security program , receiving a monthly package of fresh produce , eggs and dried goods to support their diet .
24 TRITON | SPRING 2022