Mary began her tenure as a La Clinica board of directors member early in 2010. She is the trauma and STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction) coordinator at Rogue Valley Medical Center. Prior to her current position, Mary was the charge nurse in RVMC’s Emergency Department for nine years and a relief critical care charge nurse for three years. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Mary earned her family nurse practitioner degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and completed her BS degree in nursing at Southern Oregon University. She studied pre-nursing at Oregon State University, where she earned an associate degree in nursing.

Through her work with the STEMI program, she has co-authored papers describing the successful program, which has enjoyed the lowest mortality rate in the United States.

Born in Astoria, Oregon, Mary moved to Jackson County in 1985 and resides in Medford. She loves playing any sport, watching her daughters play sports, and walking on the beach. She also enjoys photography.

She has participated in several community activities connected to her work as trauma coordinator including:

• Why Seat Belts? For Jackson County residents cited for not wearing one.
• Trauma Nurses Talk Tough in local schools.
• Children’s Advocacy Center
• Children’s Miracle Network
• Because Oregon – an anti-drinking commercial aimed at teens.

Mary once spent a week at La Clinica on a professional rotation and was impressed and inspired by the sense of community she found.

“I believe everyone deserves healthcare, including the emergency department, but the emergency department is not the place for people to come simply because they don’t have access anywhere else. Also, I love the Hispanic culture.”