About Christine Sarmiento
A community leader committed to practical solutions, transparent leadership, and a stronger future for El Monte.
About Christine Sarmiento
A community leader committed to practical solutions, transparent leadership, and a stronger future for El Monte.
Introduction
Public Health Nurse. As a public health nurse, I am trained to look at the community of El Monte as my patient: to notice the little things that influence health and change the trajectory of the physical, emotional, and psychosocial health of our residents. There are generational consequences when health is not at the forefront of our planning. It begins with an assessment we call, in public health, a windshield survey. I invite you to join me one of these days.
During these moments, we identify access to healthy food, with the lack of it termed a food desert. We look at the data and learn from it, making changes where they will be most effective. Diabetes is a serious concern in our community, especially among our younger residents. What this means to me as a nurse is that our kids and our elderly, who should be receiving a healthy caloric intake, may be consuming too much sugar.
We can focus on education and accessibility. We can add healthy options to our family recipes, maintaining the tradition while focusing on health.
Business Manager. I have worked in management for 14 years, and today I lead a team of more than 400 at a private business, handling budgets, hiring, training, and legal compliance.
With the addition of my nursing background and being a mother of five boys, my ability to assess a situation critically and quickly is well developed. There is a lot of misleading information and many statements meant to gain your sympathy or push you toward fear or anger. I don’t resort to manipulating words or emotions to get my message across.
The core of my management style has been strong communication, integrity, and strong relationships built on understanding and respect for everyone’s motivation, and the courage to trust people to make the best choices for themselves and their families. I speak my mind, kindly, and I make room for people to speak theirs, because at the end of the day everyone needs to be able to speak their truth, and a good leader encourages others to find their voice.
Vaccination Site Director. I ran an entire community vaccination site that served 3,000 neighbors a day. I led about 300 people, from travel nurses to volunteers to county employees from many departments, alongside firefighters and lifeguards. I then directed sites in underserved communities across East LA, South LA, Norwalk, Commerce, and Obregon Park.
My role and responsibilities moved, and the question for me was never whether things were easy or hard, or whether I would win or lose. It has always been: am I being called to serve? Challenges don’t faze me. When you care about service, you gain a superpower, and all you focus on is reaching out your hand to help.
Emergency Nurse Leader. I graduated from nursing school and received my RN license but never practiced, as I slowly climbed to a higher position in my private business job. When COVID hit, seeing the fear, the death, and the suffering, I decided to return to nursing and joined the California Medical Assistance Team (CAL-MAT).
This is a group of healthcare personnel accepting missions of a minimum of 12 hours a day, 14 days straight. While working there, my management skills were quickly recognized, and I was tasked with leading nurses and caring for patients in emergency isolation units.
I was also part of the strike team that provides staffing education to nursing homes requesting help from the State. While the world hid, I joined the fight, along with my fellow medical professionals, to care for those who were afraid and dying, making sure that they experienced nursing care and compassion during a time of fear and uncertainty.
Mother of Five. With all my adventures, the greatest one and the biggest honor has been, and always will be, being the mom of five beautiful boys. I never knew my heart could grow so big.
My boys have taught me so much in so many ways, and they have made me the person I am today. When I think of who I want to be, all I can think about is being the best version of myself for them.
I am a proud member of the American Nurses Association, Sigma (Nursing Honor Society), California Medical Assistance Team, and the Filipino American Nurses Association.
Introduction
Public Health Nurse. As a public health nurse, I am trained to look at the community of El Monte as my patient: to notice the little things that influence health and change the trajectory of the physical, emotional, and psychosocial health of our residents. There are generational consequences when health is not at the forefront of our planning. It begins with an assessment we call, in public health, a windshield survey. I invite you to join me one of these days.
During these moments, we identify access to healthy food, with the lack of it termed a food desert. We look at the data and learn from it, making changes where they will be most effective. Diabetes is a serious concern in our community, especially among our younger residents. What this means to me as a nurse is that our kids and our elderly, who should be receiving a healthy caloric intake, may be consuming too much sugar.
We can focus on education and accessibility. We can add healthy options to our family recipes, maintaining the tradition while focusing on health.
Business Manager. I have worked in management for 14 years, and today I lead a team of more than 400 at a private business, handling budgets, hiring, training, and legal compliance.
With the addition of my nursing background and being a mother of five boys, my ability to assess a situation critically and quickly is well developed. There is a lot of misleading information and many statements meant to gain your sympathy or push you toward fear or anger. I don’t resort to manipulating words or emotions to get my message across.
The core of my management style has been strong communication, integrity, and strong relationships built on understanding and respect for everyone’s motivation, and the courage to trust people to make the best choices for themselves and their families. I speak my mind, kindly, and I make room for people to speak theirs, because at the end of the day everyone needs to be able to speak their truth, and a good leader encourages others to find their voice.
Vaccination Site Director. I ran an entire community vaccination site that served 3,000 neighbors a day. I led about 300 people, from travel nurses to volunteers to county employees from many departments, alongside firefighters and lifeguards. I then directed sites in underserved communities across East LA, South LA, Norwalk, Commerce, and Obregon Park.
My role and responsibilities moved, and the question for me was never whether things were easy or hard, or whether I would win or lose. It has always been: am I being called to serve? Challenges don’t faze me. When you care about service, you gain a superpower, and all you focus on is reaching out your hand to help.
Emergency Nurse Leader. I graduated from nursing school and received my RN license but never practiced, as I slowly climbed to a higher position in my private business job. When COVID hit, seeing the fear, the death, and the suffering, I decided to return to nursing and joined the California Medical Assistance Team (CAL-MAT).
This is a group of healthcare personnel accepting missions of a minimum of 12 hours a day, 14 days straight. While working there, my management skills were quickly recognized, and I was tasked with leading nurses and caring for patients in emergency isolation units.
I was also part of the strike team that provides staffing education to nursing homes requesting help from the State. While the world hid, I joined the fight, along with my fellow medical professionals, to care for those who were afraid and dying, making sure that they experienced nursing care and compassion during a time of fear and uncertainty.
Mother of Five. With all my adventures, the greatest one and the biggest honor has been, and always will be, being the mom of five beautiful boys. I never knew my heart could grow so big.
My boys have taught me so much in so many ways, and they have made me the person I am today. When I think of who I want to be, all I can think about is being the best version of myself for them.
I am a proud member of the American Nurses Association, Sigma (Nursing Honor Society), California Medical Assistance Team, and the Filipino American Nurses Association.
My Plan for El Monte
1. A Transparent Government
Initiate a plan for a community-run ethics committee, plus a budget and contract dashboard residents can easily review.
2. A Healthy Community
Foster physical and mental health with safe sidewalks and streets, e‑bike safety, healthy food, and programs that meet residents where they are.
3. A Strong Local Economy
Fill empty storefronts and make the most of our location and public transit to bring in local businesses, jobs, and revenue.
My Plan for El Monte
1. A Transparent Government
Initiate a plan for a community-run ethics committee, plus a budget and contract dashboard residents can easily review.
2. A Healthy Community
Foster physical and mental health with safe sidewalks and streets, e‑bike safety, healthy food, and programs that meet residents where they are.
3. A Strong Local Economy
Fill empty storefronts and make the most of our location and public transit to bring in local businesses, jobs, and revenue.
Support the Campaign
Community campaigns are powered by people who believe in positive change. Your support helps organize community events, outreach programs, and local initiatives
Support the Campaign
Community campaigns are powered by people who believe in positive change. Your support helps organize community events, outreach programs, and local initiatives
