“Who we are is also who we represent”

A Personal Reflection in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

I’m Tish Eaton-Mall. I have been working at Bronson for over 30 years. As a Mexican American, I see Hispanic Heritage Month as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the rich histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latinx communities. As a healthcare organization and the largest employer in southwest Michigan, it is so important that all of us at Bronson take time to learn about each other – because each one of our patients are unique, just like us.

I grew up in a traditional Mexican family. My grandparents spoke only Spanish, and my parents were bilingual. To give my siblings and me the best opportunities and protect us from the prejudice they faced, we primarily spoke English. Most of us understand very little Spanish. Family, loyalty, honesty and hard work were central to our daily lives. Christmas was my favorite tradition and remains so today. For two days leading up to Christmas, we would prepare a traditional Mexican meal. At midnight on Christmas Eve, my parents would wake all seven of us up to open presents and start our celebrations.

Education was deeply valued in our household. My parents had limited formal schooling, so they emphasized to us kids the importance of learning and striving for excellence. I carry these lessons with me and have passed them on to my children, along with a work ethic I call “Andale.” Whether at home or at work, I say: “You have to have Andale. If you don’t, you will not succeed.”

Working at Bronson, I’ve always felt able to be myself. I share my culture, family experiences and even traditional sayings with colleagues, because these connections enrich our workplace and strengthen relationships with the patients we serve. I want every team member at Bronson to feel seen and supported, and that’s what motivates my work with ¡Salud!, our Latinx Employee Resource Group (ERG).

Participating in ¡Salud! has been an amazing experience! My role in the group is to be supportive and help remove barriers for our members. I want to help create pathways for growth and help people like me see the possibilities available to them. I want everyone to have mentors who reflect their backgrounds and experiences, and to know that Bronson is invested in their success. Our co-chairs, Marla and Dubelsa, are driven and incredibly resourceful. 

I’m also passionate about preserving and sharing the Mexican history. Many people don’t realize, for example, that areas like Texas were once part of Mexico, and that Mexican Americans have long been contributing to the growth and prosperity of the U.S. Our culture is warm and welcoming; we are expressive with speech, food and music. I am forever grateful to have grown up embracing both my Mexican heritage and American culture.

I hope my story demonstrates the importance of being your true self, sharing your experiences and celebrating culture and identity. The more we learn about each other, the more we know about the patients we serve.