Maria Leal knows what it’s like to be a parent desperate to help her child. Her career as a medical assistant grew from that struggle.
“My son had asthma when he was little, and I was always at the doctor’s office,” Leal said. “I wanted to learn how to control his asthma.”
Now shea helps other people’s children as a medical assistant for Dr. Kyralessa Ramirez.
Leal came to UTMB from a private pediatric practice in August and has been a medical assistant since 2005.
“Maria came to us with a lot of experience and knowledge,” said Stacy Froebel, nursing supervisor at CBC League City Primary Care. “Her positive attitude and laugh are contagious to all.”
As mother to five children who now range in age from preteen to young adult, Leal likes to stay busy. She has a side business making T-shirts and other crafts and loves all things Disney.
Sometimes on the weekends, she even picks up a shift at the jewelry store her friend manages.
All this vitality makes Maria a welcome addition to the clinic.
“She has a positive attitude and is always willing to lend a hand no matter what,” Froebel said. “She demonstrates enthusiasm, self-motivation and teamwork.”