Graduate Profile: Jonathan Tejada-Flores
A full year of immersive, full-time work sorting medical records at Whitman-Walker Health carried Jonathan Tejada-Flores from feeling like the newbie in the room to earning his CMA certification and stepping into a Medical Assistant role. He first connected with CareerWise DC as a Columbia Heights Educational Campus ‘25 student and a participant in the General Nursing pathway at the Advanced Technical Center (ATC). It was through a career fair at the Advanced Technical Center, where his administrator, Andrea Zimmerman, encouraged him to apply.
Jonathan is part of the first cohort of DC HEAL, a healthcare workforce initiative led by the DC Health Care Workforce Partnership in collaboration with CityWorks DC and funded by a start-up, philanthropic gift to DC’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Apprentices typically work 36-40 hours per week, earning upwards of $40,000, while gaining real hands-on work experience. And in Jonathan’s case, he did all that while also working toward his degree at Trinity University Washington.
From Newbie to Certified Medical Assistant
Jonathan entered administrative work as a Health Information Specialist with no experience reading or sorting medical documents, constantly asking questions just to keep up. A year later, he’s now a Certified Medical Assistant, and will soon become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant. He’s also built much stronger communication skills across the healthcare field. "Going from high school to a clinical career while also studying is a big jump," he said, "but I made it."
A Network of Support
Jonathan credits the staff for helping him build skills beyond just technical expertise. He specifically credits Jessica Estrada, Senior Director of Nursing; Medical Assistant Managers Sheryl Nelson and Erica Colmen; and Medical Assistant Leads Jennifer Santana and Charly Garces for helping him understand that mistakes are an essential part of growth.
He also credits his mother, his CareerWise DC career coach, and a fellow apprentice, Adrienne, as his biggest supporters. Adrienne started at Whitman-Walker Health on the same day, at the same age, in the same position, and the two talked through everything together. "I never felt like I was going through it alone," he said, "and now we're close friends who catch up over lunch."
Building Confidence, One Vaccine at a Time
Jonathan's proudest technical skill is administering vaccinations — work he used to approach cautiously, second-guessing himself even while practicing on classmates. Now, he's grown genuinely confident. "It's not just about being confident," he said, "it's about making sure the patient feels comfortable and knows they can trust me."
The steady paycheck has also meant real financial responsibility and freedom. He’s been able to support his family and cover his own bills and expenses. He’s also been able to pay his way through school with minimal debt, and he’s even saving money, preparing for his future and independent living goals.
Looking Ahead
Jonathan is well on his way to building his career in health care. His next chapter is to work full-time at Whitman-Walker building his clinical skills while also pursuing his nursing degree at Trinity Washington University. Conversations with doctors and PAs during his apprenticeship have him considering even more training after he finishes his Bachelors of Science in Nursing; now he’s thinking about medical school to become a surgeon.
Jonathan's journey reflects what CityWorks DC apprenticeships are built to do: give young people the time, mentorship, and deep work experience to grow their skills and self-awareness, all while launching a rewarding, meaningful career with a clear path for upward mobility. To learn more about how CityWorks DC helps young people build careers through hands-on learning, visit cityworksdc.org/programs.
