She put her dreams on hold, but now she’s making a big difference in her community.

Shahida Balaparya studied biochemistry and microbiology in her native Pakistan, preparing for a career in science. But, like many immigrants who start new lives in the United States, she had to put her dreams temporarily on hold.

“I took some odd jobs,” Balaparya recalls of her early time in the States. “But I thought, ‘This is not me. I need to get back to where I came from.’ So, I wanted to continue with my passion.”

To achieve her goals, Balaparya returned to her studies, completing a program in ultrasound diagnostics. Today, she is a senior vascular technologist at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.  

Balaparya, a member of SHARE/AFSCME Local 3900, is also a winner of our union’s Never Quit Service Award, which seeks to recognize public service workers who go above and beyond the call of duty to make their communities better.

“Oh, Shahida is unbelievable,” says Kathleen Bianchini, a co-worker. “She is so empathetic and compassionate with our patients. She takes great care of them and goes above and beyond with every patient.”

Watch the video to find out more about how Balaparya serves her community with excellence.