An Inside Look: Christine Calderon

To spotlight the people the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas helps, check out our weekly blog called, “An Inside Look.” We hope you are inspired by stories about people with epilepsy, their families, volunteers, health and community partners, interns, and staff. It is a privilege to serve our community. We hope you enjoy reading.

A New Chapter

Christine Calderon started at the Epilepsy Foundation in 2010 as an extern for our clinic program. She moved to San Antonio from Del Rio, and admittedly, she was a little scared. It was the first time she was away from her mother and now she was almost 200 miles away from her. Despite her nervousness, she knew she had to make her own way.

“Originally, I wanted to be a teacher,” Christine told me, “so, it felt weird to be an extern here and I knew nothing about epilepsy.” Christine attended technical school to become a medical assistant, knowing it was a relatively fast and simple way to a good job. “I was really shy when I first started,” she laughed. (Christine is not shy!)

Like most people who come into our office, Christine could tell that the staff was a tight-knit group. “It was obvious that they were a family. No one was above anybody else; everybody worked as a team.” Soon, Christine fell in love with the welcoming environment and the positive attitude each of her co-workers had.

Growing Into a Leader

Sindi Rosales, our Founder and CEO, says her first impression of Christine was that she was very young. “Christine impressed us during her externship, I’m thrilled we were in the position to offer her employment.” Sindi said. “It’s been very rewarding to see her develop professionally and to watch someone come in at the most entry-level position and grow into the position of leadership she’s in now. When we moved recently we were able to provide Christine with a private office. I told her that if we gave her a private office she had to promise to stay for 10 years. The number keeps expanding…last time I checked I think she was up to 60 years!”

When Christine’s clinic manager Sophia left in 2015, Sophia was absolutely confident that Christine could take over her role. “I love having homegrown people on my team,” Sindi smiled, “and that’s exactly what Christine is.” Without hesitation, Christine continually stepped up to take on more and more responsibility, always putting her patients first.

And it’s not just Christine who has grown, but the Foundation as a whole. In 2010, when Christine started, the Epilepsy Foundation had five clinics: Austin, Corpus Christi, Laredo, San Antonio, and Uvalde. “At the time I started, we served about 400 to 500 patients,” Christine mused. Since then, the clinic program has added a two-day clinic in Harlingen and is now serving over 800 patients. “Our outreach is tremendous compared to when I began. People come to us for anything and everything now, not just clinic. We’re helping more people in more ways than before.” In addition to seizure clinics, the Foundation provides so many programs to people with epilepsy including: support groups, HOBSCOTCH memory training, youth transition classes, mental health counseling, community events, and much more.

A Newfound Love

Still, what Christine loves most about her job hasn’t changed at all – the patients. Seeing patients find medications that work for them, get the help they need, and become seizure free is the most rewarding part for her job. She loves talking to her patients and hearing them gush about their own success in managing epilepsy. Knowing that she has some part in helping her patients thrive is what makes her job worthwhile.

However, Christine’s most memorable moment is when one of her patients passed. She closely communicated with this patient, and became worried when she hadn’t heard from her. “It was a revealing moment for me,” Christine said, “to know that no matter how much attention you give to this condition, no matter how well you take care of yourself, you can die and it’s that simple. People need to know that. Death rates are considerably higher in people with epilepsy than in a healthy population.”  

A Cause for Celebration

Nine years later, Christine still holds onto the same determination and dedication that she had when she started. “Christine is very enthusiastic and always encouraging her co-workers to be the best they possibly can be,” says Patient Specialist, Olga Tristan. “She’s truly grown to fulfill her position.”

Though Christine is not the teacher she wanted to be, she loves that she gets to educate patients and empower them to manage their epilepsy and live fulfilling, independent lives. Friday is her ninth anniversary with EFCST, and we’re so lucky to have a clinic manager who is undoubtedly committed to our patients and our mission. Thank you Christine for all of your hard work!