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Yoana Cruz, MHSA Delta Omega - Fort Hays State University
Clinic Director, Scott County Hospital
Which of the Delta Zeta shared values resonates with you the most? Curiosity
Can you share a brief 5-7 sentence biography about yourself, highlight key moments in your career that have shaped who you are today?
Yoana Cruz, MHSA is a dedicated healthcare advocate passionate about helping others. Growing up in southwest Kansas, Yoana recognized the barriers her family faced in utilizing the healthcare system, inspiring her to apply to Fort Hays State University (FHSU) as a first-generation student. At FHSU, Yoana demonstrated her leadership skills through her involvement in the Student Government Association and as a mentor for FHSU’s Hispanic College Institute. After graduating from FHSU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2018, Yoana began pursuing a master’s at the University of Kansas Medical Center. As Miss Kansas City Latina and Miss El Salvador U.S. Latina, Yoana provides mentorship and professional development opportunities for ambitious young women like her.
Who has been an invaluable mentor for your professional career? What did you learn from this friendship?
An invaluable mentor of mine was my FHSU Academic Advisor, Anthony Gabel. During my freshman year, I was a biology major because I had a passion for healthcare. I met him during a business-fraternity event and asked him about a business major. I told him I was scared of potentially changing majors, however, he told me that I wouldn’t know unless I tried. He noticed different characteristics and attributes in my community involvement, thus encouraging me to try health administration. He helped me connect with others and taught me how to properly seek new mentorship. He told me it was ok to start over from scratch to make sure I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my career. If it wasn’t for him encouraging me, I may not have made an impact in my current career.
How did you discover your passion and what opportunities have helped shape your curiosity for what you do?
My experiences with barriers to the healthcare delivery system as a child of immigrants have informed my perspective on health equity and motivated me to pursue mission-driven work for rural Kansas. At the age of 7 years old, when growing up with parents who only spoke Spanish, I had to translate for them during their doctor and legal visits. There was a lack of translators for providers to accurately capture patient health concerns and provide the best quality of care possible. Because of this, I became a medical-terminology Spanish translator for patients that need it.
Looking ahead in your career, how do you envision continuing to incorporate generosity into your leadership style and professional endeavors?
While discovering my passion for healthcare administration at FHSU, I noticed there was a lack of Hispanic-Latino representation and that’s where I decided I needed to make a change. Now receiving my MHSA degree, I will now be able to come back to southwest Kansas to help the rural-diverse community. I hope to incorporate generosity when listening to patients needs and ensuring their voices are being heard when seeking health care.
How has your community helped you professionally? Is there a friend (or Delta Zeta sister) that has been behind you every step of the way on your career journey?
During my undergraduate years at FHSU, I enjoyed being active on campus and in the community. My biggest support was within Delta Zeta and the connections I’ve made there. My most supportive sister was Carlie Snethen. She’s been encouraging through every career accomplishment, life experience, small win and even the lowest of days. She encouraged me to join Delta Zeta my freshman year, and she continues to demonstrate the true meaning of Delta Zeta by expressing empowerment in women when it comes to human resources and construction management.
What does empowerment mean to you, and how have you worked to empower others in your career or personal life?
Empowerment, to me, means to encourage others to express their true confidence. Since completing my undergraduate degree, I try to influence the younger generation not to fear expressing their emotions, skills and creativity in decision-making.
What does it mean to you to create an environment of belonging for others, and how do you carry that lesson into your personal and professional life?
I believe everyone has a story to share when it comes to their life experiences. Each individual should join an environment where they can build a strong trust with one another. When interacting with family and friends, I hope to provide an approachable, valued, and accepted environment to allow them to express their values.