Serving communities in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Alabama, Orlando Health is a nonprofit healthcare organization founded over 100 years ago. As a systems librarian, Victoria Rodrigues oversees the organization’s library technology, authentication, e-resource infrastructure, and all the collection elements that enable users to access evidence-based information. 

“I provide the collections and platforms that make discovery possible,” said Rodrigues. “We support researchers and clinicians with an extensive collection of evidence-based information, as well as the work of our reference librarian who does literature searches.”

Rodrigues’ role goes beyond providing access to medical information. With so much specialized knowledge being published across different areas of medicine, she helps connect researchers, clinicians, and librarians with the resources they need to navigate an increasingly complex field. 

As a College of Communication and Information (CCI) graduate, Rodrigues brings a unique perspective to the medical field. Her background is especially valuable in a field where access to accurate and specialized information is essential. 

“One of the things that our librarians bring is a real dedication to serving the needs of all of our team members,” said Rodrigues. “We look at everybody’s need for information as valid and valuable.” 

While obtaining an online Master’s degree at Florida State, Rodrigues found these classes to be formative for the foundation that led her into her career as a systems librarian. 

“The classes went through the history of intellectual property, how people have attempted to make sense of all the information that is out there, and make it available and discoverable over time,” said Rodrigues. “Those were truly bedrock experiences that helped me have a really good framework for starting in technical services and libraries.” 

The information provided through Orlando Health’s system serves more than physicians seeking answers for their patients—professionals and students across the medical field rely on the research provided by institutions like these. 

“It’s easy in a big health system to feel like a physician or researcher has the primary need for information,” said Rodrigues. “But we might have an executive assistant who is trying to get certification or somebody in nursing who wants to develop themselves into a new specialty.” 

The impact of Rodrigues’ work extends far beyond providing access to information. She has made a meaningful difference in her community. 

“I’m proud of the real-world impact this work has. I’m proud of the actual people whose health is affected in a positive way because their medical providers had the information needed to treat them. I’m proud to support the care that makes a real difference in my community,” said Rodrigues.