A candid personal reflection on navigating overwhelming life challenges as a single parent, from financial struggles and health concerns to academic pursuits, while offering solidarity to others facing similar hardships.
Her Story
About Yamara
Yamara Obando is an experienced healthcare professional and EMT-IV based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with approximately 15 years of experience in the medical field. Her healthcare career began after her service in the Army, when she volunteered with a local fire station in Kitsap County, Washington, in 2011. She earned her EMT certification in 2012 and has since built a diverse background spanning emergency medicine, clinical care, and healthcare administration. Her experience includes working as a Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Room Technician, and Relationship Banker.
Throughout her career, Yamara has developed expertise in emergency and patient care, including trauma and wound care. From 2022 to 2024, she served as an Emergency Room Technician at Children's Hospital Colorado, building on her EMT experience and strengthening her ability to work in fast-paced clinical environments. In March 2026, she advanced into healthcare leadership as an Assistant Clinic Manager at Colorado Occupational Medical Partners, where she applies her clinical knowledge, organizational abilities, and commitment to patient-centered care.
Yamara is also committed to education and long-term professional growth. She is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Memphis, becoming the first person in her family to complete college, and plans to pursue a master's degree with the goal of becoming a clinical social worker. Her long-term aspiration is to support victims of domestic violence and individuals affected by PTSD. As a working professional and mother of four, Yamara credits her children as a major source of motivation and emphasizes respect, honesty, resilience, and compassion as important principles in both her professional and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Yamara
01What do you attribute your success to?
My kids have made me successful. Anything and everything that I do, is for them, I want them to be proud of me. I want them to feel that I have become someone in life despite all the curveballs we were thrown. Failing has also made me successful. Every time I failed or have someone tell me that I would never mount to anything in life, it gives me a bigger drive.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't take work home with you. Everything you dealt with that day, stays at the door. Once you walk in to your home, you're a mom, sister, daughter, and everything else. This field will affect you and if you. Another one is, do not think you could've done something better. Second guessing yourself, especially after the fact, will eat at you. Lastly, use your resources! Get the help, the therapy, anything you need, to make sure you work through the struggle.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't do it if you're looking to get into this field to feel better about yourself. This field will kick you in the butt. You will feel undervalued, especially when you're understaffed and underpaid. You have to do this because you truly care about people and want to help people no matter the background. You can't do this for anybody else but yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunities include always being able to find a job anywhere. Challenges are finding a job willing to pay what you're worth for your experience, especially with years in the field, as many prefer new grads.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect and honesty. You work well when you don't have a toxic environment. Learn how to put your boundaries up so you are respected and respect others. Be honest, speak up if you can't work with someone. The main goal is getting yourself to a better, successful, place. The same goal is always the same. Make sure our patient is taken care of.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Yamara
Life lately
Finding Light in the Darkness: A Single Parent's Journey Through Life's Overwhelming Challenges
Is anyone else feeling it? The universe just messing with you or picking on you specifically? I am starting to stress a bit. I am currently working on my last semester for my BA, work needs me to build an empire out of dry sand during a hurricane, the kids' school activities are slowly picking up, my oldest daughter's tuition is due (past due, actually), I am behind on bills, and I feel like I am drowning.
I am exhausted, my body has been hurting more and more these last few weeks, and I am running on E. I know I am not the only one out there. My FAFSA ran out, and I am literally running on fumes in my car.
I know it will get better. It always does. I am not sure if I should even post this on here, but I figured there are many single parents going through similar things, and I just wanted to let everyone know that you are not alone. The economy is garbage, gas prices are through the roof, and rent and utilities are ridiculous. I have yet to file for bankruptcy, and I cannot even afford that.
I am contemplating finding a new job, moving to a new state, and starting all over. Oh, not to mention, we are looking at a possible hysterectomy in the near future, and I am not even 40 yet. Don't get me wrong, I am excited for it, but the reality still hurts. The kids are going through their emotions, and as much as I wish I could help and save everyone, it's hard to do so when you, yourself, are drowning.
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