I'm one of the otolaryngology nurses, and I help in clinic and take care of patients behind the scenes.
Why nursing?
I've always loved medicine and health care in general, and I was doing my undergrad here at the U and trying to decide between pharmacy school and medical school. My best friend was a CNA at the time, and we both decided to do nursing at the same time. It's been the best decision. I love nursing.
Let's take a walk, give me a quick tour.
So this is the clinic. We've got our patient rooms on this side, and then we've got our nurses' station over here. We can take a glance at the audio booths if they're open. So right here, we've got one over here, and then we've got one over here too.
Some of your co-workers say that you're a calm leader. How would you describe your leadership style?
I tend to role model a lot, because I feel like having that demonstration for other people—if they don't know how to do something—helps guide them without having to, like, say, “I'm pointing at you, telling you exactly what to do.”
What's something that you've learned from your patients?
To listen—to really listen.
And what's your happy place?
At home, when my kids aren't beating me up.
You earned your MPH while working and raising two kids. What made you take that on?
Well, who doesn't love a challenge? Honestly, it's because I really love to learn.
What was the toughest part of dealing with and balancing all of that?
Lack of sleep with two kids and full-time work.
What's a moment with a patient or a co-worker that really stuck with you?
One of our patients who has a chronic health condition told me at one point that I was the light in her dark world because I was always there to support her.
What's something that you love about otolaryngology?
It's more than just earaches, runny noses, and coughs. It's about the silent conditions, too, that you can't see.
There are a lot of places in health care that you can work. So why U of U Health?
I really like it here. I did my undergrad here, and the people that I work with, my co-workers and the providers, they're amazing. They're all very supportive and they care. You can tell that the people here care.
What song always makes you smile?
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”—especially when my daughter sings it.
What's your biggest pet peeve?
All the griping and negativity in the world. I feel like there's just too much negativity, and we can be the change and be positive.
Thank you so much for showing us around.
Anytime! Come back anytime.
Video by Jhonny Larrocha; Photos by Charlie Ehlert
