“This is a huge hospital, and though I realized it was a teaching center, I never considered that I could do something to educate staff.”

When Elsa Guzman entered the SAW program in 2007, it opened her eyes to a joy of teaching that she had never realized. Upon graduation, she volunteered to serve as an assistant coach to the upcoming class as a means to give back and provide opportunities to others. She now spends each Wednesday evening with the students, coaching them on coursework and professional development.

Elsa credits SAW with helping her overcome her shyness, not only with her-workers, but with her patients as well.

“I used to be so shy! Now I look everyone in the eye and greet all that I meet. I feel that I’m behaving more professionally and making myself more valuable to the system.”