From Migrant Roots to a Life of Purpose: My Journey
From Migrant Roots to Healthcare Leadership: A Journey of Resilience and Purpose
My mother, Filomena Leon, was a naturalized citizen, born in Tantoyuca, Veracruz, Mexico, and raised in San Benito, Texas, from the age of 8. My father, Ruben Salinas, Sr., was born in San Benito, Texas. Both of my parents were migrant workers and only completed the seventh and eighth grades, respectively, in order to provide for their families. Little did they know that they would eventually earn their high school diplomas later in life.
Their lives and experiences shaped the person I would eventually become. Growing up, I learned early that opportunities are not always handed to you. Sometimes, they are created through determination, perseverance, and the willingness to keep moving forward-even when the road is difficult.
My mother's and father's experiences as migrant workers
taught me the value of hard work and sacrifice. Migrant workers often leave behind the comfort of home to find work and provide for their families. Their contributions can sometimes go unnoticed, but behind every long day of work is a story of sacrifice, resilience, and hope.
Together, my parents gave me something more valuable than material possessions: They gave me a foundation, a strong work ethic, and the belief that where you begin does not have to determine where you end.
As I grew older, I began to understand that my experiences could become more than memories-they could become a source of purpose.
Earning a full-ride scholarship to attend the University of Michigan-Flint
through the Wade H. McCree Scholarship Incentive Program, I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees in Health Education. Healthcare is about much more than medical procedures and careers. It is about people. It is about compassion, communication, service, education, and helping individuals find their place in an important and meaningful field.
Today, I work as a Healthcare Career Advisor, helping people explore opportunities within healthcare, such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Health Unit Coordinator, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technician, and Sterile Processing Technician.
I have discovered that one of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping someone else see possibilities they may not have recognized in themselves.
I am still building my story. There are more goals I want to accomplish, more people I want to help, and more ideas I want to bring to life.
My journey has taught me that success isn't always a straight line. Sometimes you have to take a different path. Sometimes you have to start over. Sometimes you have to believe in yourself before anyone else does.
But every step matters.
