Each week on “On a Mission” we talk to community leaders who are out to make a positive impact in the area. Today, our host Wendy Norfleet talks to Alex Evans from Ascension Health.

Ascension Health is a non-profit health system committed to taking care of those in the communities who are most vulnerable and in need of healthcare.

To learn more, visit https://healthcare.ascension.org/patient-resources/florida/fljac.

What makes your company unique?: I am particularly excited to speak with you about Dispensary of Hope (https://www.dispensaryofhope.org). We have partnered with Dispensary of Hope to offer a range of generic medications and insulin at no cost to patients in need. We also offer both medication takeback and have partnered with the Department of Health to offer a Sharps Box Takeback program.

How do you define success?: I define success by my ability to live my life’s mission statement. That is different for everyone, but for me it is “Have fun and help others.” Both are important, and as caregivers we know that we can’t perform our best and take care of others if we don’t take care of ourselves.

Who in the industry inspires you and why?: Geoff Tabin, who is a founder of the Himalayan Cataract Project (https://www.cureblindness.org). The organization has helped hundreds of thousands of people in the poorest areas of the world see again. He will hike days into the most remote areas to provide cataract surgery and restore eyesight to people who truly would have nowhere to get help, and also has established world-class eye centers in those areas to make the change last.

What is a tip for success that you would provide someone in your same industry?: Take every opportunity you can to learn new skills, and don’t be afraid to step up when the organization you are serving with needs it. Your job title does not define you. I remember the CEO of Pfizer saying about the COVID vaccine – “If not us, then who?” I think that is good advice for everyone to live by.