Today we’d like to introduce you to Celia.
Hi Celia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a native Austinite. My mom is from Crystal City, TX the Spinach capital of the world and my father is from Newport, RI. I am proud of my mixed heritage of being both Caucasian and Hispanic. My father was stationed at Bergstrom AFB, when I was born. My family was blessed to be stationed all over the world. I am the oldest of three children. My younger sister and brother live with my mom in Washington state with their families. I went to Burnet MS which I still have life long friends from there. I graduated from Sydney Lanier HS. I met my husband in Austin and married Michael in 2007. I graduated NAU in Georgetown, TX with my AAS in Medical Assisting and BS in Healthcare Management in 2016. Michael and I have two amazing sons, James-fifteen and Thomas-eleven yrs old. We live in Pflugerville and my oldest is a wonderful actor in high-school theater and my youngest is a talented pitcher for Tritons baseball. We attend Bridge Church in Hutto, TX where I’m blessed to lead our prayer team of over fifty awesome individuals and at SOCO community church on South Congress and serve on the Foster and Adoption team that works with agencies in Central Texas to coordinate care around caseworkers and families adopting and fostering. My passions are serving at church, cheering loudly at the baseball games, serving my dear clients, and spending time with my friends and family.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not so much. My dad retired after twenty years of service in the Air Force. We ended up living in an apartment on Rundberg Ln and my mother had to go back to work to help make ends meet. I was attending Burnet MS when one of my classmates was murdered in the Yogurt Shop murders which recently was solved. May they all rest in peace. Love you, Amy. I attended Lanier High-school where we tragically lost another friend due to a stalker, Eric Krause. It was challenging during a time when these types of crimes were unprecedented in Austin. It truly helps you to understand why relationships are so so important. I started working at fifteen years old cleaning offices at night to help my parents. After, I graduated high school, I met my husband shortly thereafter working at Dell. We still have lifelong friends from there. I worked different jobs not really knowing what I wanted to do. I know I wanted to serve. I went into the medical field starting in pediatrics at Carousel now Lonestar Circle of care after my first son was born so I could learn to take care of him. I loved it. Patient care and giving comfort and making people feel better is a blessing no matter what industry your in. I worked at Sirius Clinical Research, Wellmed, and Texas oncology. Love all my folks at those jobs. I am also a woman of faith no matter where I’m working. I’m very fortunate to be able to minister to those in need when they need it. My clients appreciate that about me that if something ever happens, I always tell them to call me and we’ll pray first then handle the issue. The gift of faith and hope to others is free to give and priceless to those who receive it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a licensed insurance agent for the state of Texas and a registered medical assistant. I have worked in the medical field for twenty years and switched to the insurance side during Covid. I saw the impact that high cost of Healthcare and medications were impacting people in my community here in Austin and the surrounding areas. People having to choose between surgery and rent or prescriptions and groceries is heartbreaking.
My husband was licensed and working for a family friend that said I would be a great resource as an agent so I got licensed and have been with Healthmarkets Insurance Agency going on four years. I work with a fantastic team of agents that are supportive and know how to have fun. I can truly say that I’m blessed to have amazing clients that I have been able to keep money in their pocket while getting the quality care and life saving medications they need. I love that I can work and serve my community at the same time. I’m able to bring resources from the carriers that I work with and get hygiene bags to those in need, do blankets for homeless children with my seniors, help promote the school events and get the news out to the seniors that they can attend these events for free helping to keep them active and encourage our students in their performances and sports events.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I love to cook and share my dishes with my community. Often times, I bring my dishes to my favorite Dutch Bros shop down the street, to the Walgreens that I station at, to my clinics that I work with. I try to keep food on hand for those in need and to share. Everyone loves to eat and what a beautiful way to care for people than by sharing a meal with them. My specialties are creme brulee French toast, bourbon pecan pie, Mexican hot chocolate brownies, Boston cream cupcakes, Texas banana pudding, and charro beans.
Pricing:
- My services are completely free.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Bridge Foster and Adoption Program Team
Bridge prayer team- Faith O’Gilbert, Tanya and Raymond Rippenkroeger
Bridge Church Hutto
Emmerson Reid- Healthmarkets Agent
Radiance women’s center charity dinner
My husband and children- Michael McDonald, James McDonald, and Thomas McDonald
Round Rock Express Dell Diamond
Round Rock Area Serving Center
PAYBAS-Pflugerville Area Youth Baseball and Softball
Special Olympics Texas
