A day in the life of a community health nurse: Rachel Viloria, RN
This National Nurses Week, we are celebrating and honoring the vast contributions, heroic efforts and positive impact that nurses have on our health, our community and our world. Meet one nurse at Hope Street Margolis Family Center at California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) whose role is to help transform the community for the better. Be sure to watch Rachel’s Instagram Stories takeover for National Nurses Week on Monday, May 9, 2022.
Rachel Viloria, RN, arrives at Hope Street Margolis Family Center every day at 7:00 a.m. As Health Manager for the program since September 2021, she acts as the glue for a very interdisciplinary team—including social workers, home visitors, educators, and mental and behavioral health specialists—to ensure that children and families receive the best care possible.
Hope Street Margolis Family Center's Health Team plays an instrumental role in keeping families in our community healthy through interventions that address the social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOHs are recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion as the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
What Is A Community Health Nurse?
As a community health nurse, Rachel works to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities by focusing on the promotion of health and safety, and preventing disease and disability—ensuring communities have a continuum of wellbeing and healthy living.
Rachel Viloria: With Hope Street being a holistic and ecological model of care, my role here is to act as the glue for our interdisciplinary team. Nursing requires a well-rounded, diverse knowledge of everything—from critical thinking and technical skills to child development and public health and safety. My goal at Hope Street is to share this multidimensional lens of thinking with our team so that we can all better understand the interrelation of the different aspects of our families' lives and how we can best support them.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Community Health Nurse?
Rachel Viloria:I went into nursing because I think it is a privilege to be with people in the trenches of their most vulnerable moments and tangibly help them. After working at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurse for five years, I witnessed many illnesses and deaths that I knew were completely preventable if people had the right resources and knowledge, and I wanted to be a part of that preventative effort.
Another unique aspect of community health nursing is that with my various nursing interventions, I have the opportunity to impact not only people as individuals, but communities as a whole.
Impact In Action
Recently, Rachel was able to support a family experiencing instability due to the father’s medical condition. While driving to work on the freeway, he suddenly lost his vision. He was subsequently diagnosed with bilateral cortical cataracts—placing an immense hardship on the family since he was the sole financial provider, and his partner could not work as no one would be able to care for their children.
The family was running out of money to pay for their rent and other basic necessities, but was told they did not qualify for disability aid because the condition was reversible. The father was told he would need surgery; however, it would not happen for six months due to insurance issues. Rachel engaged with the family to better understand their situation and what actions could be taken to expedite care. Her advocacy proved successful as the father was able to schedule the critical surgery within just a few weeks as opposed to months away.
With Rachel’s patience and persistence navigating the complex system of medical appointments and insurance, she was able to help stabilize the family so the father can return to work, provide for his family and see his children’s faces once again.Rachel’s care and compassion reflect CHMC’s commitment to improving the health and wellness of our community by focusing on the well-being, development and success of children and families as the cornerstone of creating healthier neighborhoods. Our work is possible in large part thanks to the support of generous donors.
This National Nurses Week, please take a moment to recognize a nurse for the compassion and expertise they showed you or a loved one. Be sure to watch Rachel’s Instagram Stories takeover for National Nurses Week on Monday, May 9.
Recent News & Stories
September 30, 2024
California Hospital Medical Center Foundation welcomes two new board members
September 20, 2024
2023 Hope Street Margolis Family Center Impact Report now available
September 18, 2024
2024 Champions for Children Dinner raises $450,000 for youth center programs
September 5, 2024
California Hospital Medical Center recognized for exceptional patient care, voted ‘Best Hospital’ for second consecutive year
August 30, 2024
California Hospital Medical Center receives funding for expanded testing and treatment of syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C virus
July 24, 2024
Hope Street kids dive into more STEAM adventures during Summer of Science!
June 24, 2024
2024 Summer of Science blasts off, engages more students than ever before
May 9, 2024
California Hospital Nurses Week featured on KCAL/CBS Los Angeles
May 6, 2024
Nurses Week: Nurse, mom, veteran, and cancer survivor: Meet Margarita Lechuga-Nuno, RN
April 18, 2024
Mobile Phone Charging Carts enhance patient experience at California Hospital Medical Center
April 10, 2024
2024 State of the Hospital Address
March 28, 2024
Doctors' Day: A day in the life of Dr. Christina McAlpin, Chief of Staff
Remembering Gary Erickson
March 13, 2024
Doctors' Day: A glimpse into the heart of healing with trauma surgeon Dr. Reginald Jones
January 31, 2024
A reimagined Heart of the City returns April 6, 2024!
January 26, 2024
Vice Chair of Department of Medicine shares why she gives back
January 25, 2024
Hope for the Holidays lifts up more families than ever before
December 11, 2023
2022-2023 Annual Impact Report highlights advancements in quality care, training the next generation of healthcare professionals
October 23, 2023
CHMC Chief Operating Officer Dr. Nat'e Guyton featured in Becker's Hospital Review as 75 COOs to know
October 17, 2023
Quick Actions, A Life Saved
October 16, 2023
Remembering Wayne Ratkovich
October 4, 2023
16th Annual California Hospital Golf Classic raises over $180,000 to advance health equity in Los Angeles
September 28, 2023
Los Angeles Sentinel: CHMC Partners with Morehouse School of Medicine for Family Residency Program
September 14, 2023
Los Angeles Sentinel: Doctor Born at California Hospital Medical Center Gives Back as Trauma Surgeon
September 11, 2023
LA Downtown News: California Hospital Medical Center named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2023-2024 Best Hospitals as a high-performing hospital
August 23, 2023
2022 Hope Street Margolis Family Center Impact Report now available
August 18, 2023
Los Angeles Daily News: It was a ‘Teddy Bear Clinic’ on Friday for health checkup education
August 18, 2023
LA Downtown News: California Hospital voted Best Hospital in "Best of Downtown 2023"
August 7, 2023
Anette Padilla Joins California Hospital Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors
July 14, 2023
California Hospital Medical Center Recognized for Commitment to Safe Opioid Care on 2023 Opiod Care Honor Roll
June 15, 2023
2023 Champions for Children Luncheon showcases transformative health care leadership in Los Angeles
May 17, 2023
Alina Moran featured in Becker's Hosptial Review as a woman hospital president to know
California Hospital earns 2023 Greenhealth Emerald Award from Practice Greenhealth
May 9, 2023
When a nurse becomes a patient
April 27, 2023
A day in the life of a Family Medicine resident: Dr. Monika Shenouda
April 25, 2023
Board Member Spotlight: Javier Cano
April 17, 2023
New tax laws impact retirement accounts, saving and giving
April 3, 2023
Alina Moran reflects on her third anniversary as California Hospital Medical Center President
March 30, 2023
Doctors' Day: Why our doctors do what they do.
March 16, 2023
32nd Annual La Grande Affaire raises over $460,000 for new patient tower opening this year
February 22, 2023
CommonSpirit Health Philanthropy gathers for three-day celebration of education and excellence
February 3, 2023
Hope for the Holidays supports 54 Hope Street families, raises more than $53,000 for family emergency assistance
NICU graduate reunites with care team
January 19, 2023
Becker's Hospital Review: Dignity Health names COO to California hospital
News Archive
View past news