Meet Salvador Rodriguez, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Resident at Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (YNHS), where he’s been practicing for the past 10 months through the YNHS Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Residency Program. Born and raised in Yakima and a proud graduate of East Valley High School, Salvador’s roots in the community run deep, and now, he’s using his training to give back in meaningful ways.
Salvador began his journey in healthcare at Yakima Valley College, earning his associate degree in nursing, followed by a bachelor’s from Washington State University. He later completed his advanced practice training through Frontier Nursing University in Kentucky. His motivation to become a provider grew from his experience working in a hospital, where he saw too many patients suffer from preventable conditions. That realization sparked his commitment to prevention and long-term health management.
Choosing YNHS’s APP Residency Program was a natural fit.
“I wanted mentorship, support, and the time to build up my skills,” says Salvador. “The residency gave me space to learn and grow without feeling like I had to figure it all out on my own.”
The program’s mix of hands-on experience, mentorship, and in-depth didactic courses helped him build confidence and find his rhythm.
What drives Salvador most is the opportunity to serve the community that raised him.
“This is my home. I feel honored to be here helping people get through tough times and watching them improve,” he says. His care philosophy is simple but powerful—lead with empathy and meet patients where they are to create realistic care plans that work for them.
Outside the clinic, Salvador enjoys fishing, snowboarding, golfing, and spending time with his family. He’s also an advocate for small, sustainable lifestyle changes for better health and encourages his patients to take it one step at a time.
To Salvador, YNHS is more than a clinic—it’s a community hub that supports housing, wellness, and so much more.
“It’s just an honor to be trusted with someone’s health and their story.”
