At NHC, career growth isn’t just a possibility — it’s part of our culture. We believe in recognizing potential, nurturing ambition, and creating opportunities for employees to grow into roles that align with their strengths and passions. Gricelda’s story exemplifies how internal growth and professional development are embedded into the workplace at NHC. With the support of her team members and a drive to make a difference, Gricelda has built a thriving career at NHC rooted in compassion, leadership, and continuous learning, which has impacted not only her teammates but patients and the broader community.

Gricelda Leon, Front Desk Trainer at NHC

Gricelda joined NHC in early 2015, as a temporary employee at the front desk of our Tanasbourne location. She had no previous experience in the medical field — only a strong desire to work in healthcare and help others, especially Spanish-speaking patients like her own family. Over nearly a decade, Gricelda’s career has been shaped by a willingness to step up, take on new challenges, and support those around her. Today, she is a Front Desk Trainer, a role that didn’t even exist when she first started, and she is now paving the way for future front desk staff at our clinics.

From Temp to Trainer

Gricelda’s early days at NHC were filled with learning on the go. When NHC expanded its sexual health services and acquired a sexual health clinic in Hillsboro, Gricelda was part of the foundational team, helping to launch the new location in 2016. As NHC grew, so did her experience, moving between locations in Hillsboro and Tanasbourne, and later to Canby, where she was able to work closer to home in Woodburn.

In 2021, she became a Front Desk Lead, a position she stepped into naturally after years of assisting new front desk hires and serving as a point person for other front desk staff. Her leadership skills had been developing long before she took on the title — helping onboard new employees in Oregon City and Beaverton for years and providing critical support when the Canby clinic manager went on maternity leave. The following year, Gricelda stepped into her current role of Front Desk Trainer, bringing structure and intentionality to the way front desk staff are trained across NHC.

The Power of Representation and Support

Gricelda’s passion for patient care is very personal. As the daughter of Hispanic parents who struggled to navigate the healthcare system, she understands firsthand the importance of having bilingual staff who can provide comfort and clarity to patients. While she initially trained in medical billing and coding, she quickly realized that her true calling was in a patient-facing role.

Now, in her training role, she advocates for front desk staff in the same way she once advocated for patients. She encourages them to speak up, share feedback, and know that their voices matter. Because she worked at the front desk for years, new front desk staff trust her and see her as someone who understands their challenges and successes.

“I love being a voice for the front desk staff,” says Gricelda. “They know they can rely on me because I’ve been where they are now.”

Shaping the Future of Training at NHC

The role of Front Desk Trainer is still evolving, and Gricelda has ambitious goals for the future. She hopes to streamline training materials, improve workflows, and implement a structured new hire onboarding process. She envisions better insurance training for all staff and more elbow-to-elbow support for new hires, working alongside them in clinics to provide one-on-one training, ensuring that no one feels lost like she did when she first started. She also hopes to see specialized trainers for different departments, including dental, to further enhance NHC’s training program.

Her journey is proof that careers at NHC aren’t just jobs — they’re opportunities to grow, lead, and shape the future of community healthcare in Portland. For those considering a career at NHC, Gricelda’s story highlights what’s possible when you bring passion, dedication, and a willingness to learn. NHC isn’t just a place to work — it’s a place to build a career and make a lasting impact.