Before joining Care on Call, Santana was involved in residential care services, where she spent time in a high-pressure environment. She says her job was often demanding, requiring long hours and even sleepovers, which sometimes made it hard to balance work and personal life. But despite the challenges, she built strong connections with her clients and developed a deep commitment to their care.

Now at Care on Call, Santana is enjoying a fresh start with set office hours, which means she has more time to spend with her loved ones and maintain a healthier work-life balance.

Santana brings a wealth of understanding and passion for mental health to the Care On Call team, as she began pursuing a certificate in psychology, counselling, and mental health in 2023. She says her ultimate goal is to become a psychologist, and she values the insights she gains from working at Care on Call, which deepen her understanding of the complex relationships among various healthcare stakeholders. Her passion for mental health fuels her daily, and she is enthusiastic about the opportunity to make a positive impact in this field.

Outside of work, Santana is involved in holistic healing, offering services like energy clearing and intuitive readings. She’s also a family-oriented person who loves spending time with her partner and daughter. When she’s not with her family, you might find her traveling, a passion she’s nurtured since her days travelling Australia and New Zealand as a renewal layout coordinator for retail stores.

Santana is also part of a group of friends and whānau who meet monthly to connect, support one another, and break the cycle of negativity that often affects families. These gatherings are a highlight for Santana, providing her with the chance to bond with her loved ones and create positive experiences for the next generation.

Santana can’t wait to be the first friendly face you see when you walk into the Waikato office. Her message to the support workers is simple: “Our door is always open, and we’re here to greet you with aroha and manaakitanga.”

We’re so excited to have Santana with us and look forward to the great things she’ll bring to the Bay Of Plenty region!