Bringing Health Education to Life in the Lehigh Valley

A non-practicing physician with a passion for health education and community service, AARP Pennsylvania volunteer Myra Piña brings a global perspective and multilingual skills to her work. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese—with a working knowledge of Italian—she leverages her medical background and language abilities to reach diverse communities with critical health information.

Her journey with AARP Pennsylvania began through her involvement with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and its Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley initiative. A longtime volunteer with that organization, she serves on both the Diabetes and Fall Prevention Coalitions as well as the Age-Friendly Steering Committee. When AARP’s Kellie Von Stein reached out to find a Spanish-speaking presenter for the Speakers Bureau, a connection was made—and a new chapter in her volunteer work began.

Though Piña does not practice medicine in the United States, her career and volunteer efforts have consistently focused on health. “Every job I’ve had here has been health related,” she explains. “Even volunteering has always centered around health.”

She delivered her first AARP presentation in Spanish on brain health to a local senior center, where she was warmly received by a fully engaged audience. “They thanked me for sharing with them in their language,” she says. “I enjoy combining my knowledge of medicine and fluency in Spanish to help educate and create awareness.”

What Piña enjoys most about volunteering with AARP is the flexibility it offers. "I can choose the areas I want to volunteer in, and I have control over the days and times I’m available," she says. The monthly volunteer meetings also provide an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. One memorable moment came during his first presentation as a member of the Speaker's Bureau, where she shared insights on Brain Health in Spanish at a local senior center. The attendees, all Spanish-speaking, were engaged and appreciative of the information presented in their native language.

To fellow Pennsylvanians considering volunteering, she offers encouragement: “There truly is something for everyone—including virtual opportunities. Volunteering is easy and incredibly rewarding.”