Most people aren’t fans of Mondays. In fact, it could easily be considered the most dreaded day of the week. But Cynthia Rodgers, ASO Professional, proclaims, “Joy happens on Mondays.” That’s because every Monday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., her pediatric clinics convene. Cynthia works with perinatally HIV-infected children. “I love teaching little people!” she remarks. She goes on to say she “loves the innocence and willingness of the smaller kids to embark on the journey of self-esteem and self-concept development.” When asked about self-concept development, she describes it as the idea that we all have a “self”, and that the moment we realize we’re individuals is an exciting time.

But children may not yet possess the words to articulate how to say it and how to celebrate it. So, she asks kids what they like about themselves. She shows them a mirror and starts with their face, the “first thing the world sees.” To help ease them into the exercise, Cynthia always sets the example by first answering the questions herself. (She loves her large eyes and the curve of her nose.) Her process is designed to help make kids aware of the unique things about themselves. She also encourages them to make a list of affirmations and post it on their bathroom mirror to see every day.

ASO Spotlight Q&A:

We asked Cynthia a few questions about being an ASO Professional and thought you’d like to see her responses:

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL IN HIV CARE?
“One of our pediatric infectious disease physicians has the best temperament with our kids. He inspires me to respect children and their ability to understand concepts that we may think are difficult to comprehend.”

HOW HAVE YOUR ROLE MODELS INSPIRED YOU IN THE WORK YOU DO WITH YOUR CLIENTS?
“I’m cognizant of how I treat all of the folks I serve. They must be allowed to be honest and vulnerable and walk away with their dignity untouched.”

WHAT KINDS OF THINGS MIGHT YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR CLIENTS TO TALK ABOUT WITH THEIR HCP?
“I celebrate honesty during adherence assessments. If someone admits to missing several doses of medication, I thank them for their honesty and for giving me the privilege of being in their circle. After I gather information pertaining to barriers to adherence, I encourage the patient to share that same information with the HCP. Also, I invite patients to be open about their quality of life if it is compromised by side effects from medications and the clinic experience overall.”

HAVE YOU EVER RECEIVED ANY HELPFUL ADVICE FROM ANOTHER ASO PROFESSIONAL THAT YOU’VE USED WITH YOUR CLIENTS?
“Upon entering psychotherapy for myself, I was told these words: ‘Cynthia, I am completely invested in your journey and your process of healing, but the outcome is entirely up to you. I am divorcing myself from your outcome.’ Those words have changed the way I deliver my psychosocial services to my patients. I am willing to give my knowledge and share my failures and my successes for identification and teaching purposes, but I will not allow my heart to want for you what you don’t want for yourself.”

IN TRYING TO ASSIST YOUR COWORKERS AND COLLEAGUES, WHAT MIGHT YOU TELL THEM THAT COULD HELP THEM BE THE “BEST POSSIBLE” ASO PROFESSIONAL?
“Deliver your services with humility because you could be sitting in the patient’s seat and someone else could be holding the clipboard. Deliver your services with joy because you have the opportunity to touch, and possibly revolutionize, a life. Your disposition, your touch, or your eye contact may be the key to repairing years of damage to someone’s life. You just never know! Always look your best because folks are generally visual creatures, and if you are appealing to the eye, you may have a greater opportunity to effectively engage your client. Also, when we look good, we feel good, and we tend to emanate a very positive aura!”