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Dental Operations Manager Alma Guzman Celebrates
20 Years of Service at TVHC
Alma Guzman’s journey with TVHC began when she was a young mother of two and became a client of the TVHC Union City WIC program after the birth of her second daughter.
During Alma’s first visit to the WIC office, she noticed a job posting for a receptionist at TVHC’s Union City clinic. The WIC receptionist explained to Alma that TVHC was a community clinic and that Alma should apply if she was interested.
“After I left WIC, I went to the Union City clinic, got my application, and I applied,” said Alma. “Within two hours, they called me back and I was hired the same day. I started work the day after.”
Alma was TVHC’s first dental receptionist and has witnessed TVHC grow tremendously throughout her time here.
She remembers the opening of the Hayward clinic fondly, the expansion of the Dental department, and her time there. Alma shared that it was important to her that “TVHC is growing, and I’m growing with it.”
Although she began as a dental receptionist, Alma’s growth in both TVHC and herself is reflected by her current title as Dental Operations Manager. Alma stated that her growth opportunities have significantly impacted her decision to stay with TVHC for 20 years.
“Tiburcio gives a lot of opportunity for people to grow,” Alma said. “I think I have also come across a great mentor. Dr. Sri Ponnala has been an excellent mentor for me, and she believes in me, which makes me feel good.”
These experiences align with Alma’s core beliefs about TVHC: “If you work hard, you are rewarded here. There’s good people here that believe in you.”
“I have been here for so long, and I’ve seen so much change, but I think right now we’re at the best part in our organization where we have leadership that takes care of us,” said Alma. “I feel like we have a family bond, we’re all like family here.”
Alma’s passion and dedication to her work with the Dental department have kept her going strong for the past two decades.
When asked what she wished people knew about the Dental department, Alma said, “It’s not just the infection control, but also behind the scenes, doing the impossible for our patients to come in and have them seen. We don’t have an emergency clinic, but we do provide emergency services. So that tells you that we care so much about our patients in our community.”
Outside of serving her community at TVHC, Alma loves to spend time with her family, pets, and grow flowers in her garden. “One of my favorite flowers is sunflowers, but I haven’t mastered growing them yet,” Alma said. “They grow really wild, and I want them to be perfect.”
Alma and her husband are also huge fans of alternative rock music, and they frequently attend concerts and festivals to enjoy their favorite bands. “My favorite groups are U2 and Depeche Mode, who we have seen like 10 times all together,” said Alma.
TVHC has grown alongside Alma, and her contributions have helped TVHC grow for the better.
Thank you, Alma, for 20 years of service to your community and your dedication to the success of TVHC!
