Always up for something new
For Julipher Garcia, the promise of a job and a good paycheck are what first drew her to health care. But it wasn't long before her career became a calling. When she received her medical assistant degree in 2012, she accepted a position with the late Dr. Gordan Klatt, a renowned and beloved Tacoma surgeon who founded the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. That first job was a gamechanger.
“Dr. Klatt was such an inspiration to me,” Garcia said. “He really enjoyed his work and helping patients and the community. He made me appreciate what we do in the medical field so much more.”
Her mentor also told her that if a day goes by when you don't learn something new, it's time for a new challenge. That sentiment beamed a life mantra for Garcia, and it's what brought her to Indigo Health.
“Every day here is fun, different and unexpected,” she said. “I'm always learning something new.”
Making a difference in patients' lives
“Working for Indigo gives me the opportunity to give back and make a difference in our patients' lives,” Garcia said. Many individuals who visit Indigo arrive uneasy and uncertain about treatment or have had negative health care experiences in the past. She and her team welcome the opportunity to change their perception and put them at ease.
“We always strive to create a warm and inviting experience for all our patients,” she said. “We do our best to provide the care and resources they need to help them on their journey to wellness.” That also includes going a few steps beyond, like scheduling follow-up visits for patients with MultiCare primary providers.
That same positive, inclusive and nurturing environment carries over to the staff. “We're more like a family than an urgent care clinic,” Garcia said. “Everyone has special strengths and talents and together make one outstanding power team.”
Dealing with the unimaginable
The fast-paced world of urgent care is all about adaptability and responding quickly to communities' needs and demands. That formula has certainly been put to the test over the last two years. And while Garcia always welcomes a challenge, she never imagined being in the middle of a global pandemic.
Point Ruston Indigo Health continues to deal with issues related to COVID-19 that affect medical facilities across the country, especially amid soaring cases of the Omicron variant. Rapidly changing procedures and protocols, increased patient volumes, high demand for testing and staffing challenges have put a strain on everyone.
“Our team has had their own struggles with the virus, which has hindered their personal lives and the clinic,” Garcia said. “But we all know we are making a difference in our community and trying our best to be here for our patients. Our team remains dedicated to living MultiCare's values each day.”
Family, fun and games
When Garcia isn't welcoming patients, filling in at the clinic as a medical assistant, and overseeing staffing, operations and supplies, she loves to travel and spend time with her family. She and her husband make fun with their kids a priority, from Nerf gun wars to fishing and hiking to exploring new spots in and around Tacoma. An avid sports fan, you can find also find Garcia cheering on her favorite teams, playing alongside her kids or rooting from the sidelines as they take part in karate, football and soccer.
Working in the waterfront, resort-like village of Point Ruston also has some great perks. When time allows for a break in the action at Indigo, Garcia likes to bite into the hot wings from nearby Twisted Fork Saloon or grab a tub of popcorn or movie candy from the neighboring Century Point Ruston theatre.
Fun fact: Before opting for a career in health care, Garcia planned to become a Washington State Patrol trooper.
