WBAMC celebrates Hispanic Heritage

Photo By Amabilia Payen | Col. Erik Rude, commander, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, and Command Sgt. Maj. Janell Ray, command sergeant major, WBAMC, present a token of appreciation to Monica C. Vargas-Mahar, marketing chief operating officer and east campus chief executive officer for the Hospitals of Providence at El Paso, Texas, for being a guest speaker during WBAMC's monthly Equal Opportunity observance celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, at WBAMC, Sept. 14.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

09.21.2018

Story by Amabilia Payen 

William Beaumont Army Medical Center

William Beaumont Army Medical Center held its annual Hispanic Heritage Month observance on Sept. 14, with special quest Monica C. Vargas-Mahar, marketing chief operating officer and east campus chief executive officer for the Hospitals of Providence.

Vargas-Mahar, an El Paso native, shared her experiences and the meaning of what it means to “never give up on the uphill.” She explained the ‘uphill’ phrase as a way to look at adversity differently, meaning that as you go uphill, remember how the downhill feels, which is awesome.

“That to me has been the one single piece of advice someone has given me early on in my career that I still carry in my back pocket everyday” said Vargas-Mahar.

Being of Mexican-descent, Vargas-Mahar believes her culture helped her achieve success, to which being able to connect to people, is a method she takes dear in achieving greatness.

“We are just this incredible melting pot and that allows us to better serve because of the fact that we have diversity,” said Vargas-Mahar. “As CEO, I know that a better mix of experience and opinions allows us to have a better bottom line.”

Vargas-Mahar told her audience that she knows where she is from and thinks there are important things in Hispanic culture that change the way that medical professionals care for patients. Being Hispanic has always embodied a responsibility of being caretakers of the next generation and also taking care of the older generation.

“What I do see needing to happen as far as change, is to continue to see and create educational opportunities to young Hispanics,” said Vargas-Mahar. “Education, more than ever, is going to be the piece that makes us continue to advance. We will need to hire an educated workforce that is going to be able to translate this innovation and technology into the care that we need to deliver.”

Vargas-Mahar was award a plaque, in recognition for her participation in the observance. After the event, leadership invited attendees and guests to partake in a celebratory cake.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2018
• Date Posted: 09.21.2018 11:50
• Story ID: 293932
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US