“My education and experience have taught me the importance of being aware of the interconnected social factors that impact quality of life, including access to healthcare. Social factors like poverty, racism, a criminal record, and/or a pandemic impact everyone differently, and they lead to everyone having different needs. The strain that medical bills can put on a person’s life can be detrimental, especially if they are low-income. The healthcare system is complicated and not easy to navigate, especially health insurance. I want to help change the system, but that will take time. I can in the meantime help people navigate the health insurance system and help advocate for change.“

Experience

• Sierra helps people figure out what health insurance options they may eligible for and also assists in Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid applications. Sierra also assists if someone has any issues with these two programs as well.
• Before becoming a health insurance navigator in July 2021, Sierra worked at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s office where she was a Legal Assistant. She also worked at UNC Hospital in the Neurology department as a Research Coordinator, where she recruited patients into clinical trials and also worked as a Nursing Assistant.

Education

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies