When Guatemala native Maury Godoy learned she had breast cancer, fortunately, she also had Blanca Nizama.

Maury, a mom of four children, was overwhelmed with her diagnosis and the impact it had on her life. Blanca, who helps Hispanic patients in her role with the WellSpan community health and engagement team in Franklin County, outlined the next steps in Maury’s breast care, assisted her in applying for financial assistance to cover her medical bills, connected her and her family to food resources and offered emotional support and a listening ear.

Blanca’s role is key in WellSpan’s mission of treating our patients as a whole person by providing the personalized care they need to live their healthiest lives. She considers the work an honor.

“Seeing how these individuals grow and learn from my help means the world to me,” Blanca says. “It also gives me the opportunity to learn more from every person I work with and how I can impact the next person I meet. I look into the faces of these individuals every day and see how eager they are to improve their health. I’m so proud to be a part of their journey.”

Today, Maury is cancer-free, but she still has Blanca. The pair even created the first all-Hispanic group for a 5K walk hosted by the Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance this year. And Maury is giving back, helping with outreach and encouraging women who never had a mammogram to schedule an appointment.

“I would feel so lost without Blanca,” Maury says. “Our community members can struggle to understand how to manage certain medical situations and she provides so much education for us. I know I can rely on her for help no matter what. Blanca has become not only my friend but my family.”

Meet Blanca

Blanca’s role was created and funded by the Summit Endowment committee as data from a 2019 Franklin County community assessment showed many Hispanic and Latino individuals face a variety of issues that impact their overall health.

Blanca, who grew up in Mexico, has thrown herself into the work. She jokes that her office is “all over Chambersburg,” as she is on the move to meet patients where they are, particularly if they face transportation issues.

For more than four years, she has worked to help patients, impacting an astounding 1,000 people in a variety of ways.

Specifically, she worked to:

• Assist 185 patients with scheduling and receiving their mammograms at our mobile mammography unit.
• Help 175 patients schedule dental appointments at our mobile dental clinic services.
• Help 360 patients complete and submit applications for financial assistance.

“I’m not just here to help community members,” Blanca says. “I’m here to educate them too. I want to get them the support they need, but it’s also important to encourage confidence and independence.”

Julia Kint, community grants program administrator at WellSpan, says Blanca is “the bridge” between Hispanic residents and the help they need, walking beside them to make sure they get a variety of services that allow them to be thriving members of the community.

“There are so many barriers that the Hispanic and Latino population face daily,” Julia says. “Blanca has made it a priority to meet these individuals where they are and get them the individualized care they need. She and her work are invaluable.”

We’re committed to improving the health of our communities. Learn more about our community grants at wellspan.org.