We are pleased to welcome Carmen Rosa Rodriguez, an undergraduate public health student from Temple University, to HCIF’s team for the spring 2018 semester! Carmen will support multiple HCIF projects: CPR Ready and health literacy initiatives.
Being exposed to healthcare at an early age sparked Carmen’s interest in public health. Diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis at age 9, she moved to Philadelphia from Puerto Rico when she was 10 years old because she needed a liver transplant. She received her new liver a few months before turning 13. Every year, Carmen runs the Gift of Life Donor Dash, and this year she hopes to run Broad Street for the 2nd time.
Carmen is also a wellness assistant for the Community Health & Wellness Department of Esperanza Health Center. In this role, she coordinates fitness and community programs like Family Fit and Esperanza Fresh. Within the field of public health, Carmen is passionate about healthcare, wellness, harm reduction, policy change, advocacy, and food justice. She strives to have a lasting impact in underserved areas of the city. In the future, she envisions herself working directly with the community, developing programs that prevent disease and improve health in a holistic way.
Additionally, Carmen is the proud pet-parent or a Yorkie/Chihuahua mix named Amanda. She spends her free time connecting with friends and family (here and in Puerto Rico), watching documentaries, movies, and shows, reading, and exercising. On Sunday mornings, you can find her volunteering at her church.