Maria Aparicio grew-up in a family that immigrated from Mexico. Growing-up youngest of three siblings in Chelan with her family working in the orchards, she wanted more for herself, parents, and family. She spent some time in healthcare and wasn’t completely sure it was for her; but the medical lab interested her and so she began to pursue an education to begin a career there. She graduated from Wenatchee Valley College in 2018 with her AA degree, and then graduated from Central Washington University in 2020 with her BA. She started as a Lab Assistant in 2020 and continued to work and study to expand her career as a Medical Lab Scientist (MLS). Recently, she graduated as an Medical Lab Tech and is looking forward to exceling in her new job. She has truly found her place in the lab.

For the past four years union techs at Central Washington Hospital have been working to improve the wages that techs deserve. During the recent negotiations Maria and her coworkers won historical wage increases allowing techs to feel valued. Maria was excited to realize what this will mean for the future of her co-workers and herself. “For me, having this wage increase will help me afford the cost of living, and not feel financial insecurity!”