Health Information Services professional with over 6 years of experience processing and analyzing clinical data/medical records for Alameda Health System, a community-based, Federally Qualified Health Center for underserved populations in Alameda County. Health information provides a unique opportunity to understand the complex health challenges and needs of underserved individuals and communities. Examining Social Determinants of Health and their impact on patient populations is essential to helping improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities. I've compiled large data sets for analysis and performance audits, enabling our organization to better assess quality of care and address gaps in patient access to services. I also advocated for improving patient access to records and documents by optimizing clinic workflows with EHR systems. While most of the work I do in health information is behind a screen, I thrive most when interacting and engaging with people. This has been a driving motivator to pursue a client-facing role providing direct services, referrals, and client-centered counseling to individuals and communities in need. I believe that I can make a greater positive impact as a CHW. I aim to take the insights and experience gained from working with clinical data and EHR systems and apply that to the role of Community Health Worker. As part of the CHW certificate program at City College of San Francisco, I recently completed an internship with the SF Department of Public Health as a Behavioral Assistant at the Castro Mission Health Center, a Primary Care Behavioral Health Care Clinic near SF General Hospital. There I supported clients in developing relevant health goals/action plans, using motivational interviewing to provide peer counseling, offered information about resources, and made referrals to services related that may be helpful to clients. Working together with clients about the priorities and health concerns they want to address truly illustrates the client-centered approach that makes the CHW role unique. I look forward to completing the CHW program and entering this field to continue building upon my client counseling skills, to support and advocate for others in reaching their goals and achieving better health and self-empowerment.