Her Story
About Cristal
I've been in healthcare for 10 years, inspired to get into this field to provide help to people who don't have it. I believe healthcare should be for everyone, and unfortunately, that's not the case. As CEO of International Health Alliance, we create free clinics in low-income countries where people from low-income communities can come and we provide free care for them. My role involves connecting with universities and students because we provide hands-on experience for students through internships. They can come with us to the low-income communities to get the experience of helping people when they get the free care. My typical day includes talking to students, organizing the clinics, talking to my team in the DR, organizing logistics for the clinics, and most importantly, providing service and care to the patients and offering free care to them. I'm also a physician and work in clinical research. Additionally, I work as a research advisor in a Latino nonprofit. The communities we serve literally don't have anything - sometimes they don't have medication that costs even $5, which is like less than Starbucks for us, and we provide that for free. I think that's the most rewarding thing that I ever had.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cristal
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the support of my husband. He has been there supporting me throughout my career, and I pass everything through him too when making important decisions.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to really do whatever you're really passionate about. If you really come to the healthcare field to help, really find a way to help your patients. Try to help them the right way. That's what led me to serve communities that don't have anything - literally, sometimes they don't have medication that costs even $5, which is like less than Starbucks for us, and we provide that for free. I think that's the most rewarding thing that I ever had.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be scared, because we're women. Don't be scared of the position or what you want to get. Just keep trying, and a door is gonna be open.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges I face are sometimes not having enough volunteers to go with us to the clinics. Another challenge is the language barrier, because I don't speak Creole, so I've had to hire translators to help bridge that gap and ensure we can communicate with and serve our patients effectively.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Kindness, compassion, and communication are the most important values to me. I like to connect with the patients and the community. I think we need to be compassionate to everyone and our patients. We don't know their reality - we just know them for the 5 minutes in the consultation. Everyone has a story, you know?
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