From Puerto Rico to employee of the year: Luis Moreno’s nursing journey

ORLANDO, Fla. — When nurse Luis Moreno arrived from Puerto Rico in 2022, he brought a decade of experience, a heart for caring for others — and a major challenge.

“At that time, I spoke maybe 10 or 20% of the English language,” Moreno said with a smile.

Moreno joined AdventHealth East Orlando through the Transcultural Assimilation Program, or TAP, which helps international nurses adapt to U.S. health care. For him, the move was about more than career growth.

“I wanted to have more time with my kids and do something fun,” he said.

“She told me, ‘I know how you feel. We are here to help you.’” -- Luis Moreno

A rocky start

The journey wasn’t without setbacks. Moreno’s first two job interviews ended in rejections due to the language barrier. By his third, he admits, “I lost all faith. I told God, ‘If this is your plan, I’ll be there. If not, it’s okay.’”

That meeting nearly fell apart when his phone overheated and shut off — twice. Each time, the hiring manager, Suzete Rothberg, senior nurse leader at AdventHealth East Orlando, waited for him to reconnect.

“She told me, ‘I know how you feel. We are here to help you,” Moreno said. “That gave me the confidence I needed.”

Rothberg understood firsthand. Originally from Brazil, she also speaks English as a second language and vividly remembers navigating her own barriers.

“I knew exactly what he was going through,” Rothberg said. “I came here without knowing any English. Little by little, with support from my peers and great leaders, I learned. I saw that same determination in Luis — and I knew he had the heart and potential to be the kind of nurse I’d want caring for my own family.”

One day before his move, an email confirmed he’d been accepted into the program. “I hugged my wife and screamed, I was so happy,” he said.

“They’d say, ‘Tell me in Spanish, I’ll understand you.’” -- Luis Moreno

Learning on the job

Once in Orlando, Moreno quickly discovered his language skills would grow fastest on the floor. Early on, a patient asked for a blanket — a word he didn’t know. After searching unsuccessfully for 40 minutes, he returned to explain he didn’t understand. “From that day, I never forgot what a blanket was,” he laughed.

His colleagues were always ready to help. “They’d say, ‘Tell me in Spanish, I’ll understand you,’” Moreno said. “That’s the support I needed to succeed.”

“The Hispanic culture brings warmth, empathy and sympathy — and that’s Luis.” -- Suzete Rothberg

Caring with culture

For Moreno, patient care is personal — and shaped by his Puerto Rican roots.

“In Puerto Rico, everybody’s family,” he said. “When you’re my patient, you’re part of my family. The smile is the best medicine.”

Rothberg sees that every day. “There’s not a single day when Luis is working that I don’t hear from his patients, ‘I love my nurse. He makes me feel whole. He makes me feel safe,’” she said. “The Hispanic culture brings warmth, empathy and sympathy — and that’s Luis.”

Recognition and inspiration

In two years, Moreno has gone from a newcomer with limited English to Employee of the Year for his unit and a DAISY Award nominee.

The DAISY Award is a national recognition that honors nurses for exceptional skill and compassion. At AdventHealth, patients, families and colleagues nominate nurses for the honor.

“I never received a recognition like this in my country,” Moreno said. “It means people see how much I care.”

Rothberg hopes his story encourages others.

“Never give up,” she said. “We are here to support you, guide you and help you grow.”

Honoring heritage

This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme — Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future — mirrors Moreno’s journey. His roots shaped his compassion and resilience, and now he uses that same spirit to inspire his patients and team.

“Every day, I learn something new in English,” he said. “And every day, I try to give the best of myself to my patients. That’s my promise.”