Her Story
About Dr. Milagros
I began my healthcare journey as a hospital volunteer, driven by a passion to serve and make a difference. Through dedication and persistence, I advanced into roles as a patient observer and patient care technician while completing my nursing education. After earning my RN, I continued to grow academically and professionally—obtaining my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and ultimately my Doctor of Nursing Practice with the support of my organization’s tuition reimbursement program.
Today, I serve as a Quality Improvement Specialist and Stroke Center Coordinator, where I partner with clinicians, nurses, and physicians to ensure the highest standards of safe, evidence-based care. I have played a key role in leading transformative changes within the stroke program, helping to reshape how stroke care is delivered across the central region of New Jersey.
Stepping into healthcare leadership comes with immense responsibility and pressure, but it is equally rewarding. As I collaborate with and learn from exceptional leaders, one lesson stands above all: the most powerful women in the room are the ones who make sure other women know they belong there too.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dr. Milagros
01What do you attribute your success to?
My greatest fear is to exist without reaching my maximum potential. I always find myself raising the bar and wanting to achieve more. As a daughter of immigrants, I know there has been generations before me who have sacrificed and endured pain, sweat, and tears to fight battles so that I would not have to. My success belongs to them, just as much as it belongs to me. And that is my greatest motivation.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Remain coachable. Anyone can learn to do a job so long as they stay coachable and open to feedback.
If you have stopped asking questions, you are doing something wrong. Always speak up for safety and defer to expertise. There is no weakness shown when you need to ask for help. It shows you know your limits and reluctant to simplify.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The Strongest women in the room are the ones who make other women realize, they belong there too. Align yourself with people who believe not just in you, but in your future and ability to lead.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I tend to be the youngest at the table and even in the room. It can be intimidating. While some may see it as lack of experience or “too young”, I like to say that it proves there’s longevity with me and still connected and able to relate to to the frontline nurses who do the work everyday. I am versatile. I can learn as long as someone is willing to teach. Leadership has been where you are, and they too are just people who once had a vision. Lean on them and learn. Be a sponge. Absorb it all and keep pushing forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Work life balance. As a working mother, my brain has a million and one things running through it at all times. It takes a unique skill to have the ability to complete professional work while also keeping tiny humans alive. It takes even greater skill to work like you are not raising kids, and raise kids like you are not working. A work place that values the harmonized balance of being a mom while also being professional is essential in building more female leaders.
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