A New Beginning: Maximo’s Journey Back to Medicine

Maximo Sanchez Ignacio remembers the moment he realized his life was about to change. He had just arrived in the United States, leaving behind a respected career as a physician and professor in Cuba and Ecuador. The move was full of promise — but also uncertainty.

“When I was here at first, I felt really afraid until I found an organization that helped me,” Maximo stated. “The Literacy Center guided me to find Corewell Health. It was like a dream!”

From 2010 until recently, Maximo was a practicing physician and medical instructor in Cuba. He worked as a doctor there, treating patients. Then, in Ecuador, he was a professor teaching classes to nursing and pharmacology students. When he had the chance to come to the U.S., Maximo took it, knowing his certifications and training wouldn’t transfer and he’d need to overcome the language barrier, nearly starting over at the beginning to obtain licensure necessary to work in the U.S.

“Maximo is a dedicated, warm, compassionate person,” said Melissa Reddy, coordinator, MI Impact Program at the Literacy Center of West Michigan. “I just knew the medical field would benefit from having someone like him in it.”

He’s making steady progress, both on his English language skills and on securing necessary licenses and credentials.

For Maximo, discovering the Literacy Center’s support program was a turning point and an opportunity to return to using his skills to help patients.

“I was thinking it would take more time to be able to get back to working in health care,” he said. “But through the Literacy Center, all the doors opened. I fortunately found Corewell Health.”

Kevin Vos, senior vice president, facility operations, said Corewell Health teamed up with The Literacy Center of West Michigan to offer a bilingual apprenticeship, with on-the-job training for those learning to overcome language barriers.

“Our partnership with the Literacy Center has helped us identify and connect with motivated individuals, many of whom were already equipped with the foundational skills needed for success in a medical career,” Vos said. “This partnership is about more than just filling jobs — it’s about building careers.”