From Clinic Kid to Community Caregiver: Jesus Carrillo’s Full-Circle Journey

For Jesus Carrillo, the path to becoming a health care provider wasn’t just inspired by family—it was paved by it.

He grew up just down the road from Mirasol Family Health Center in Hermiston, where his mom, Maria Carrillo, worked. Back then, she was a nursing assistant, interpreting for Spanish-speaking patients and steadily working her way toward becoming a registered nurse. Today, Maria works both at Mirasol and Good Shepherd Health Care System, continuing to care for the community she’s served for nearly two decades.

Jesus remembers being one of Mirasol’s regular patients as a kid. “That’s how I got exposed to Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic and Mirasol—both as a patient and having a parent who worked there,” he says.

Watching his mom study for exams after long shifts left a lasting impression. “When I was in middle school or high school, I got to see her studying, so at that point I knew I wanted to go into medicine or health care,” he recalls.

And he wasn’t the only one. Two of Jesus’ five siblings also pursued careers in health care. His brother became a physical therapist, and one of his sisters is now a registered nurse.

For Jesus, delivering health care is personal. He grew up bilingual, bicultural and worked summers as a farm worker. He fundamentally understands the unique barriers many patients face when trying to access care. Language, trust, and cultural nuances can all stand in the way of better health outcomes and he is able to deeply connect with patients.

“Being a bridge—that’s the biggest thing for me,” Jesus explains. “Helping people understand their medications, why check-ups matter, and speaking to them in a way that resonates, while also empowering them to take charge of their health.”

Now, Jesus has returned to Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic as a Physician Assistant at Salud Medical Center in Woodburn, Oregon. He’s treating patients like the kid he used to be—ones who need not just a provider, but someone who understands where they’re coming from.

“It feels good,” he says. “I feel very honored to have the opportunity.”

Jesus Carrillo’s story is more than a career journey—it’s a generational commitment to community care. From being a patient at Mirasol to becoming a provider within the same health system, he’s living proof of the impact that compassionate, culturally responsive care can have.