For Yomaira Polanco, legacy lives in the values we pass from one generation to the next. Her parents came from the Dominican Republic with sacrifice and determination, teaching her lessons she carries with her today as Practice Administrator at Reading Dermatology Associates.
Now, that legacy continues alongside her daughter, Yomaris. Three generations connected by hard work, humility, service, and the pride of never forgetting where they come from.
PALO MAGAZINE: Tell us about your roots.
YOMAIRA POLANCO: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to parents who migrated from the Dominican Republic. I grew up with my brother and sister in a family where hard work, humility, perseverance, and helping others were part of everyday life.
PALO: Your father owned a bodega in Brooklyn. What did that experience teach you?
YOMAIRA: My siblings and I helped at my father’s bodega during the 1980s and 1990s. Looking back, I realize how much it taught me about responsibility, customer service, and taking pride in the work we do. I watched my parents build a life through sacrifice and determination.
PALO: How did your journey with Reading Dermatology Associates begin?
YOMAIRA: I joined RDA in 2009 as a medical and surgical assistant while also working in medical billing. I continued learning and growing within the practice, and in 2013, I became Practice Administrator.
PALO: What are your responsibilities today?
YOMAIRA: I oversee the daily operations of the practice, support our team, and help ensure that we provide exceptional, compassionate care to our patients. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel welcomed, valued, and well cared for.
PALO: How did your daughter Yomaris begin her career there?
YOMAIRA: During the COVID pandemic in 2020, Yomaris joined us as a COVID screener. That experience introduced her to the world of skincare and aesthetics. Today, she is a licensed aesthetician providing facials, laser treatments, microneedling, and other services. Watching her build a career she loves and having her work alongside me fills me with pride.
PALO: What does this generational journey mean to you?
YOMAIRA: It represents legacy. My parents came from the Dominican Republic and built a life through hard work and sacrifice. Now I have the opportunity to pass those same values on to my children: service, compassion, perseverance, and helping others.
PALO: What legacy do you hope to leave your children?
YOMAIRA: Work hard, stay humble, help others, and never forget where you come from.
From a Brooklyn bodega to Reading Dermatology Associates, Yomaira’s story reminds us that legacy is not simply what we inherit, but what we carry with us and pass on to the generations that follow.
Rosa Julia Parra
Founder & Editor
palomagazine.com
