Lance Esquibel is a community leader for the Pueblo of San Felipe. There are nineteen Pueblo tribes in New Mexico and each one is a sovereign nation. San Felipe is a little more than thirty miles northeast of Albuquerque. Lance has diverse talents and interests, including fishing, gardening, and caring for his elders–to name just a few. As he entered his forties and the COVID-19 pandemic impacted fishing in Alaska, Lance decided to pursue a dream that he had put on the back burner for a long time: a healthcare career.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am 45 years old and a community leader for my tribe–the Pueblo of San Felipe. I have worked in quite a few different trades–from plumbing to HVAC-R and, most recently, the seafood industry in Alaska. I became increasingly interested in the healthcare industry during my adulthood because I have family and community members with diabetes who are on dialysis and others who have cancer. So, I have spent a lot of time with them in the hospital, giving them one-on-one time, and helping out. I wanted to find a way to continue helping my family and community. I also felt that by going back to school, I would be an inspiration to others in my tribe. I chose the Medical Assisting program at Carrington College because I have a soft spot for the elderly and want to work in a hospital. After I graduated, I started the Health Studies associate degree program and I graduated in September.
When did you decide to pursue a career in Medical Assisting?
I worked in Alaska in 2020 and I was supposed to return in 2021, but then because of COVID-19 restrictions, the fishing season was impacted and I didn’t know what I was going to do. Then, just out of the blue, an email from Carrington College popped up in my inbox. I didn’t think twice–I responded to it. This was around January 2022. The representative got back to me in 10 minutes and asked me to take a test to see if I would be a good candidate. It had been twenty years since I had been in school, so I was a little nervous, but I got in.
What motivated you to choose Carrington College Health Studies associate degree program?
Carrington College gave me the flexibility to do my school work while working 12-hour days as a 3rd engineer in the seafood industry in Alaska. I was also able to continue to do the farming that I do on the San Felipe reservation. I grow everything from chili, corn, watermelon, squash, tomatoes, and especially beans.
What was your favorite part of the College Medical Assisting program?
My favorite part was the open labs. I enjoyed vitals, phlebotomy, and EKG. There were people from many different backgrounds and cultures with diverse perspectives there. That was also helpful because you need to understand and respect different cultures in healthcare. I also enjoyed how patient and professional our teachers were when it came to explaining things to us.
What was the most challenging part of your Medical Assisting program?
The technical part was the most challenging for me. I saw these younger classmates doing everything so fast and felt a bit embarrassed that I wasn’t fast like them. I still didn’t shy away from learning and asking for help, though. When I was struggling to upload my assignments, I was able to get the help that I needed. That helped build my confidence in using technology.
What got you through the challenging times?
I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. Also, I would work twelve hours in Alaska and stay up until 12:00 am or 1:00 am doing homework and my coworkers would support and cheer me on. My classmates from Medical Assisting cheered me on while I earned my Health Studies degree. They would tell me I was inspiring them. That meant a lot to me.
Is there a Carrington College instructor or staff member who you would like to acknowledge?
The whole staff, especially the instructors. They are very inspiring. “Carrington Cares” is what it should be called.
Where did you do your Medical Assisting externship?
I did my Medical Assisting externship at Women’s Health Horizons at Presbyterian Hospital. I ordered prescriptions, worked with medical records, and gave vaccinations–among other things.
What do you enjoy most about working in healthcare?
I enjoy learning about different instruments, as well as new lingo and language for things. It is also important to me to help make patients feel comfortable. As a male working in a women’s specialty clinic, this was particularly important. I learn a lot from the patients’ perspectives.
How did Carrington College prepare you for your career?
They have helped prepare me to be ready for anything. I’ve learned that you need to stay calm, relaxed, and professional even in a fast-paced environment like a hospital. If you get overwhelmed, go back to basics and start there.
Do you have any advice for people interested in going into your field or considering Carrington College?
Keep pursuing your goals and dreams. Keep to it and stay focused. You’ll get there.
