Helping Mark Center Grow, One Patient at a Time 

When Mariella Avendano first began helping prepare Neighborhood Health’s Mark Center clinic, the exam rooms were empty. There were supplies to order, rooms to organize, and equipment to get ready before patients could walk through the doors. 

Today, as Mark Center’s nurse coordinator, Mariella works in the busy clinic she helped bring to life. 

“I’m really proud of the work everyone has done here,” she said. 

Mariella joined Neighborhood Health in 2022, bringing experience in psychiatric nursing and primary care. The nurse coordinator role offered an opportunity to combine caring for patients with helping a clinic run smoothly. 

Her work changes from day to day. She answers patient calls, provides education, helps patients understand their next steps, and supports staff throughout the clinic. Sometimes that means troubleshooting equipment or working through an unexpected problem. Other times, it means spending extra time with a patient who needs help navigating care. 

“One thing stays the same,” she said. “We really like to take good care of our patients here.” 

That care often involves working with others in the building. Mark Center also houses city services, allowing Neighborhood Health staff to coordinate with case managers who support some of the same patients. For people managing several appointments or complex needs, those connections can make it easier to get help. 

Nearby bus connections help patients reach the clinic, and the addition of an on-site pharmacy means they can fill prescriptions where they receive care. 

For Mariella, watching Mark Center grow from empty rooms into a clinic serving children and adults has been especially rewarding. Behind that growth is the daily work of a team committed to helping patients get the care and support they need.