We’re excited to welcome Maria Rodriguez to the Mission Doctors Association team as our new Office Administrator!
With a rich background in community service, education, and media relations, Maria brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for supporting our mission of Catholic healthcare around the world.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Maria’s career began with AmeriCorps at the LAPD, where she honed her skills in community engagement. From there, she discovered her talent for public speaking while teaching at an elementary school, and later developed strong organizational skills working at a church—skills that proved invaluable during audits and annual reporting. Most recently, Maria spent nearly twenty years at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Media Relations Office, managing reports and communications across multiple platforms.
On a personal note, Maria is married and a proud mother of two children. Her daughter recently graduated from USC with a degree in Quantitative Biology and is applying to medical school, while her son studies business finance at Cal State Los Angeles with dreams of one day starting a business with his father. Maria credits her children’s Catholic education for shaping the compassionate and driven young adults they’ve become.
Maria was drawn to Mission Doctors Association through a recommendation from a former supervisor, who recognized her organizational talents and passion for meaningful work.
In her new role, Maria is excited to streamline office processes, including transitioning physical files into digital records for easier access. She also looks forward to supporting outreach efforts at parishes and helping donors see the tangible impact of their contributions—from restoring someone’s vision to providing vaccines that prevent serious illness.
“I’m inspired by God to be kind and help others,” Maria says. “Teaching my children about faith taught me that if I have to teach something, I need to learn it myself. This has shaped how I approach both my work and my life.”
Outside the office, Maria enjoys creating a beautiful home and garden—a passion passed down from her mother and grandfather. She also looks forward to participating in Mission Doctors Association’s silent auction and seeing the joy that supporting our mission brings to our community.
Maria’s favorite guiding principle is simple yet powerful: “We represent our work at all times. We have to treat everyone with respect and kindness.” Her dedication, warmth, and faith-driven approach make her an incredible addition to our team, and we are thrilled to have her on board.