My Why: Recruiting Top Talent to Support a Deeply Personal Mission

Mariela Martinez’s connection with kidney health began in 2019 when her now-husband, Javier, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The news came unexpectedly. Javier had gone for a routine physical around his 30th birthday, assuming all was fine. But three days after the checkup, his doctor called with urgent news—his kidneys were failing, and Javier needed to go to the hospital immediately. What started as a regular day at work quickly turned into hours at the hospital, running multiple tests that revealed the genetic nature of his condition.

For Mariela and Javier, who had only been dating for a short time, the following months were life changing. Javier’s kidney function plummeted from 60 percent to just 6 percent in half a year, and he went from relatively healthy and active to struggling with exhaustion after climbing a few stairs.

The power of support and care

Throughout Javier’s CKD journey, Mariela saw how one’s circle of care, both personal and professional, can make all the difference. From responsive coordinators to compassionate nurses and attentive clinicians, the healthcare team became the couple’s anchor. This experience gave her a deep appreciation for the importance of having a team that truly cares. It wasn’t just about treating the disease; it was about supporting Javier and his entire network of loved ones through one of the most difficult times of their lives.

After several months, Javier found a matching donor—his best friend, TJ. The transplant happened in November 2019. It was a successful surgery and a turning point in their lives. One month later, while still healing from the procedure, Javier proposed to Mariela, marking a new chapter filled with love, resilience, and hope.

Since then, Mariela celebrates two birthdays for Javier—his actual birthday and his kidney transplant day. Each year she gives him and his best friend a matching gift as well as a cake that says “Happy Kidneyversary.”

Why Interwell?

Before joining Interwell Health in March 2023, Mariela had been a recruiter at another healthcare company. Post-transplant, she recognized a deeper calling. If she was going to spend her time recruiting talent, it had to be for a mission she truly believed in.

At Interwell, Mariela found that alignment through the organization’s dedication to improving the lives of people with CKD. She was drawn to Interwell’s values, which mirror her own commitment to making a positive impact. For Mariela, placing the right professionals in critical positions is her way of giving back.  

“I know what it’s like to need a responsive coordinator, a nurse who carefully manages labs, and a clinician who delivers on their promises to truly care for a patient,” Mariela says. “I find joy and fulfillment in recruiting people who bring that same level of compassion and commitment to their roles.”

She approaches recruitment with empathy and purpose, always seeking to understand what drives her candidates and helping them find roles that align with their aspirations. “What do you find fulfilling?” she often asks in interviews. Her goal is always twofold: to place professionals where they can thrive and to ensure they contribute meaningfully to patient care.

Mariela’s role is about more than filling positions, it’s about building a community of people who care as deeply as she does. For Mariela, Interwell is more than a workplace; it’s an organization where everyone, from leadership to the recruiting team, works together with shared transparency, compassion, and humanity to improve the lives of patients.

“This is a place where people truly, deeply care,” she reflects. "It’s exciting to be in a role where I can help others find fulfillment while making a meaningful difference."