Rodrigo Cornejo

“If you like helping people, then the Community Health Worker program at Northwest Vista College is the field for you.”

Rodrigo Cornejo received a Community Health Worker certificate from Northwest Vista College in 2011. As a new transplant from California, Rodrigo said he had over a decade of experience in the social work/community health field but jobs he was applying for in San Antonio were requesting more education.

Rodrigo found out about NVC’s Community Health Worker program and is now a manager overseeing eight other community health workers for the Christus Santa Rosa Hospital system. He said his staff helps patients find community resources for medication, medical attention, food and exercise programs.

“One of the things I liked about NVC’s Community Health Worker program is that you are exposed to a lot of nonprofit agencies that serve the community,” he added. “You also have to continue to take workshops and refresher courses to learn what’s new in the field to keep your certification.”

Rodrigo encourages other students to get a certificate because it’s a high-demand field. He added best of all you are helping people know what’s available to them so they can stay out of the emergency rooms and lead a healthy life.