Dolka Lugo: The Lifetime Changemaker

BY KATIE MAHONEY | VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

“Do the Extra.” Thirty-four years ago, Dolka Lugo came to York, and that mantra has guided her work, and her impact in the community. She started with WellSpan just a year after she arrived here, and has been dedicated to providing interpreting services to WellSpan patients in the full-service area. As York County and Downtown York continue to grow and welcome all to live and work here, interpretation services, especially among the Spanish-speaking community, have been increasingly vital. This is even more true in the healthcare industry – the exact opportunity Dolka has focused her passion, and talent.

“I came here to learn English, and planned to return to Puerto Rico after that, but then I fell in love with York,” said Dolka. With her husband and two kids, they decided to call York a permanent home, and purchased a house a few months later. “The people were friendly when we came here,” she shares, “And it felt like my hometown in Puerto Rico. Plus the weather, I love winter.”

Dolka attributes the WellSpan community and her church, Community of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, as the reasons she is passionate about her work. “I see my patients at WellSpan, and then at Church, too. WellSpan gave me the opportunity to work with people, and that is my passion. I see the Spanish speaking people that struggle with the language, and WellSpan gave me the opportunity to help them, help them have everything they need and all the facts.”

Dolka’s dedication to assisting with interpreting services and interpreters has only increased in her time with WellSpan, as the need continues to grow. Now, she schedules interpreters system-wide, with up to 600 visits some days, either face- to-face or via video. “Carmen Bones, back in the day, was my role model and inspiration to pursue the Spanish interpreter position at WellSpan.”

In speaking with Dolka, it is evident she loves her work. “I’m very proud of WellSpan and everything they do for their patients,” she shares. “I can see how they help people, where others don’t. In Puerto Rico, if you don’t have money, you don’t have healthcare. WellSpan works with their patients.”

Over the years Dolka has been involved in numerous boards and organizations, but now focuses on work and her church. When not there, her family enjoys El Rodeo or Fiesta Mexicana, where they celebrate birthdays, graduations, and important things.

Q: WHAT DOES “CHANGEMAKER” MEAN TO YOU?

A: I believe it’s when you try to make something different. We help people every day, but if we can do the extra things, get out of the box, be in that person’s shoes. Do the extra. That’s what makes me feel good at the end of the day, I go home and say I did something for someone who was really in need.

And we need to LOOK at people. Sometimes we walk by and we see people but we don’t actually look at them. Maybe they’re homeless, or looking for a dollar. We don’t know if they ate that day. I give the money. We need to see those people. That makes a difference.