Sharlene Avila

Medical Assistant

Although born in Chicago, Sharlene spent her early childhood years living in Acapulco, Mexico.  In the early nineties she returned to Chicago with her parents and settled in the Lincoln Park area.   When she was younger, Sharlene dreamed about becoming a Spanish teacher.  However, as she spent time nursing her mother and grandmother during their illnesses her interest in helping people stay healthy blossomed and led her down a different path into the medical field.

Sharlene received her degree as a Medical Assistant from Olympia College, now known as Everest College, in Chicago. She has dedicated the last few years to serving as a Medical Assistant in traditional healthcare settings, working side by side with medical professionals. Before joining the Raby Institute, Sharlene worked at the Erie Family Health Center where she was promoted into the job of training new staff and students in the Ob/Gyn department.

The experiences Sharlene has had and the knowledge she has gained from working towards a healthier lifestyle for herself, her husband and her two young children drew her to explore the integrative approach to medicine and led her to the Raby Institute. Her compassionate caring and dedication to her profession has opened a new chapter of her life as she starts her journey in the integrative medicine.  Her experiences in the traditional medical field have prepared her to take this next step into learning more about more holistic approaches to health and healing so she can continue to learn and grow as an individual.

As a Medical Assistant at the Raby Institute Sharlene's main responsibilities include supporting the physicians and practitioners with patients, treatments and diagnostics, administering injections, taking vital signs, conducting DEXA Scans and EKG's, Phlebotomy, and managing minor office procedures. She is certified in CPR and holds a Hologic X-ray Bone Densitometer Certification as well. Her bi-lingual skills are also put to good use to help the Raby Institute provide service and support to its Spanish speaking patients.  Sharlene is excited to be on staff at the Raby Institute, working with such a skilled and dedicated team.  Sharlene sees this as an opportunity to educate herself and help guide her patients down paths of self-healing, preventative medicine and positive lifestyle changes.

When not at work helping others, Sharlene loves spending quality family time with her husband of 5 years, Adalid, and her two children, Adilene (4) and Adalid, Jr. (8 months).