This story was originally published on the "Our Stories" section within the Trinity Health website – read it here.
By Ella Echavez, Executive Director, Perioperative and Procedural Services, Loyola Medicine – Loyola University Medical Center.
Ms. Echavez is a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines where she was born and raised, this is her story:
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
I come from the Philippines, a country in Southeast Asia where I completed my studies. My parents were of meager, means, and I remember my mother telling me, “We are not rich, Ella. You need to do good in school, finish your education, and go to America. Your father and I have nothing to give you and your siblings but education. And that’s something no one can ever take away from you.”
Reflecting on my journey, the month of May has been of great significance to both my personal and professional life. The first week of May, 1994, I received notice that my RN work VISA to the US was approved. My father had 72 hours to raise enough funds to cover the agency cost and my airfare. Otherwise, I would lose the spot to another person.
My father had to borrow money from different sources to meet the deadline. On May 24, 1994, I headed to the airport with my one-way ticket in hand, boarded the international flight and headed to the US carrying a suitcase of clothes, two photo albums, and $400 US dollars. Bittersweet is the only word I can think of to capture that moment in time. I left behind my family, my friends and everything that I knew to fulfil my dreams in America.
On May 25, 1994, I arrived in Chicago and this day marked the very start of my quest to be a part of the Asian American population here. But my quest almost ended before I even left the airport. I was promptly notified by the recruiter, who met me at the airport, that the work sponsorship was reversed and that I had no job and no place to live.
The future was looking very bleak for me at this point. But one thing was for sure: there was no turning back and failure was not an option.
On the bright side, I survived the ordeal and I get to share my story. Compassionate Filipino immigrants who were complete strangers at that point, heard about my story and took me under their wings giving me unconditional friendship and support. To those individuals, I will forever be grateful and thankful.
So what does it mean to be Filipino American? To me, it means remaining true to my core values of compassion, strong sense of family, respect, resiliency, and hard work. Numerous Filipino Americans went through very similar circumstances and can truly relate to my story in one way or another.
I'm extremely thankful that I get to share my story. Through the years, my life experiences have kept me grounded. And while my parents are no longer here, I continue to support my family through education with the hope of breaking the cycle of poverty.
Because of my journey from the very beginning to where I am today, and knowing I could have lost the opportunity of a lifetime, I am committed to paying it forward by helping new immigrants every opportunity I get.
I’m Ella Echavez, proud Filipino American. Mabuhay!