Drawn Together: A Mother-Daughter Legacy

Maria Benitez, senior phlebotomist, ProHealth Physicians, never planned to work in health care. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a teacher.

But during a medical assistant course, she discovered phlebotomy and, both literally and figuratively, it stuck with her. She was drawn to the technical challenges, the precision and most of all, the people.

"Meeting different patients, learning how to handle each case, each vein — it’s not just about drawing blood. It’s about making people feel safe and seen," Maria says. "When someone says they feel comfortable with me, that’s everything."

Over time, Maria became more than just a skilled phlebotomist — she became someone patients asked for by name.

“There was a patient I was the only one who could draw,” she recalls. “When I left my old job, she followed me. She said, ‘I don’t worry when I see your face. I’m lucky to have you.’"

She understands how powerful those small moments can be. “If someone’s had a bad experience, they carry that with them. When they come in, they’re nervous. But when you treat them with respect, it makes a difference.”

Years into her career, Maria is known not only for her steady hands but also for her gift for teaching.

As ProHealth’s first senior phlebotomist, she now spends much of her time training and supporting other phlebotomists. She travels between locations, answers questions and helps staff build both skill and confidence.

“I love teaching,” she says. “I try to explain things in a way that makes sense. I don’t mind if someone doesn’t get it right the first time. That’s part of learning. I take my time, and I make sure that when they leave my class, they’re good at what they do.”

"I have high standards,” she adds, “but I believe in helping people reach them.”

One of those people was her own daughter.

Ashley Padilla — also a phlebotomist with ProHealth — remembers visiting her mother’s workplace as a child, watching how patients and colleagues trusted Maria.

“People would ask for her by name,” she recalls. “She made them feel better just by being herself. I wanted to be like that.”

Later, while working at a fast-food chain, Ashley took Maria’s advice and enrolled in her class. “It makes me happy to see where she is now,” Maria says. “She’s young. She’ll go far. I’m very proud of her.”

With natural skill and deep empathy, Ashley quickly made her mark. She understands that patients bring more than lab orders — they bring fear, frustration and stories.

“Sometimes just listening for a minute changes everything,” she says. “One patient gave me a hug. It’s moments like that that remind you why you’re here.”

Ashley’s style reflects her mother’s influence — steady, kind and focused on the person, not just the procedure. “You need to be able to read the room,” she says. “My mom trained me, and she’s still the first person I call when I have a question.”

She and Maria rely on each other, and while working together comes with its particularities, it works. “She’s my mom and a colleague. That’s a lot to navigate,” Ashley says with a laugh.

Above all, their dynamic is grounded in deep love and respect. “Ashley is the nicest, sweetest kid,” Maria says. “She thinks of others before herself. She’s my little bestie.”

Their story is more than a mother and daughter working in the same field. It’s about the way compassionate care is passed from one person to another — through example, trust and daily effort. It’s about how women continue to shape the future of health care — not by seeking recognition, but by doing their jobs with heart.

“You don’t know what someone is going through,” Maria says. “Don’t take things personally. Just be respectful. You never know who’s sitting in your chair.”

And that’s what both Maria and Ashley carry into every room, every day — respect, patience and a quiet, steady kind of excellence.

Drawn together: A mother-daughter legacy