Raul Mendoza, PA-C at the Mattawa Family Clinic arrived at work recently
and, as usual, he promptly checked his schedule. To his dismay he found
that some time had been blocked from his schedule so he could meet with
Nieves... Nieves Gomez – CBHA’s CEO!
He remembers thinking “there must be something wrong, a DLI problem,
something,” because he had never been scheduled for an official
meeting with time blocked from his schedule. Imagine his surprise when
Nieves, along with the CBHA Executive Team and others suddenly surrounded
him and told him he had been chosen
Firestarter of the Month, shook his hand and congratulated him.
“I was so surprised!” Raul said. “It is very nice to
be recognized – a very thoughtful gesture for them all to come out
to honor me.”

Raul was quick to acknowledge others whom he credits for his success. “Miguel
Blas-Matus, PA-C, and Arturo Rojas, PA-C, were working here when I started
four and a half years ago,” Raul said. “They helped me out
from the beginning, enabling me to grow professionally. I also want to
give a shout-out to Dr. Elali. He is my preceptor; he has shown me the
way and is always there for me.” Raul’s care team also includes
Cynthia Munguia and Jennifer Padilla. “We’ve been together
the past two years and have become a cohesive team,” Raul said.
“Our team succeeded in earning a 100 percent score on our UDS numbers
this past quarter. We are all so proud of this accomplishment and think
it has to do with the fact that we have worked so closely together. I
have also come to know and have a deep respect for our patients.”
Raul was nominated for this honor by Reina Lara Candido, PSR, and Fatima
Romaro, PSR. They point out that Raul “has an awesome work ethic
and very a positive attitude”. Raul’s patients know he cares
about them by the way he treats them. He goes out of his way to greet
people and ask how they are doing, if their medication is working, etc.
Patients often request to see Raul as a provider and comment that “he
is polite and easy to talk to about any problems they might have”.
The favorite part of Raul’s job occurs right after he first enters
a patient’s room. “I like to sit down and just talk to the
patient for a little bit,” he said. “I don’t want to
worry about the chart at that point – just sit and connect with
them about what’s going on in their life.”
Raul describes himself as “a home body” when he’s not
working. He enjoys spending time with his wife and sons, ages 10 and 16.
“Both boys are in sports and we keep busy going to their games.”
Raul loves to fish! His family lives close to the Yakima River; he tries
to go fishing at least once a month. “We also like to get together
with our families for dinners, barbeques and ‘hang out’ time.”