Vanessa Joy Garcia, registered nurse

Social justice begins with understanding. Vanessa Joy Garcia takes time to learn about the diverse cultures, traditions and experiences of the people she serves. As a registered nurse in a long-term care facility, she goes beyond medical care, ensuring residents feels seen, valued and respected through culturally competent and inclusive practices.

Vanessa takes the time to learn about each resident’s background, traditions and personal preferences, integrating this knowledge into their daily care. Whether it’s adjusting meal plans to accommodate dietary customs or incorporating familiar traditions into care routines, she ensures that residents feel at home.

She actively participates in cultural competence workshops and engages in open discussions about her learnings. By sharing what she learns, she helps her team provide more thoughtful and personalized care.

Vanessa builds relationships based on trust and understanding. She listens to residents’ stories and traditions, using this knowledge to create an environment that is both medically sound and culturally sensitive.

Through her dedication to learning and resident-centered care, Vanessa increases resident satisfaction by providing medically sound treatment and awareness and appreciation of cultural traditions.