Impacting Lives as an Anesthesiologist
Welcome to a new series highlighting everyday women who love their jobs. Learn what a day in the life looks like, and discover how God has led them to where they are today.
What three words would a close friend or family member use to describe you?
Tenacious, conscientious and compassionate.
Did you always know you wanted to do what you’re doing now?
I always wanted to pursue medicine but my parents ardently encouraged and supported my dream. I majored in biochemistry at UNL and then matriculated to medical school at UNMC College of Medicine.
After graduating from medical school, I completed an OBGYN internship through the United States Navy at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. After completing 2 years as a General Medical Officer with a United States Marine Corps unit, I completed an Anesthesiology residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
I have worked as an anesthesiologist for approximately 5 years.
What gets you excited about going into work?
I am excited about the opportunity to interact with the patients and families I encounter daily who trust me to care for them and bring them safely through surgery.
What does a typical day look like for you?
If I am the anesthesiologist on call for the day, I am typically responsible for assessing patients prior to their planned surgery and anesthetic; assisting in the operating room with difficult intubations, additional IV line placement, re-evaluation of patients if issues arise; placing epidurals in laboring patients; reviewing medical records for future patients scheduled for surgery; and addressing any postoperative issues for patients in the recovery room.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the challenges of applying biochemistry and physiology on a daily basis to deliver a successful anesthetic to patients.
What are the challenging aspects of your job?
Resource management is one of the most challenging aspects of anesthesia. The planned daily schedule frequently changes and new surgical cases and requests for assistance with procedures, sedation or intubation arise. Prioritizing the order of completing those tasks is crucial to ensure the most critical patients are rendered care in a timely fashion.
What is one advice you would give to someone who is interested in doing what you are doing?
I strongly recommend job shadowing as a way to learn more about the variety offered in the field of anesthesiology.
Anesthesiologists provide anesthetic management in operating rooms at hospitals or surgery centers; provide pain relief for women in labor with epidurals; provide chronic or acute pain management; provide care as intensive care specialists; and may provide sedation for patients undergoing sedation in dental offices, endoscopy centers or other office settings.
Other available opportunities include working in healthcare administration, continuing medical education and healthcare policy.
What are some current issues and trends in this field that someone should be aware of?
One of the biggest issues in medicine right now is the management of COVID-19. As an anesthesiologist, I encounter COVID-19 positive patients when assisting with intubations, placing epidurals in infected mothers and providing anesthesia for urgent or emergency surgeries in COVID-19 positive patients.
My facility fortunately has a robust supply of personal protective equipment but not all facilities have the resources. Additionally, we have access to preoperative COVID-19 testing for patients. I had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This has given me the assurance that I am protected and that I can protect others.
Has your faith played a role in your professional journey? If so, how?
Definitely! I am a woman of faith and I know the Lord has carried me through my journey. Before every medical school and board examination I took, I would send a message to my “prayer warriors” asking them to offer prayers of support. God heard every single one of those prayers and blessed me with success.
If you are married with children, have you experienced any positives and challenges of growing your professional career as a wife and a mother? If so, what?
Mommy guilt is real but don’t allow it to detract from the path you have set for yourself.
I had my first child during my first year of anesthesiology residency. My husband decided he wanted to leave the workforce so that he could play a larger role in caring for our daughter due to my educational goals. Between feedings, he gave me adequate time during my maternity leave to study so that I wouldn’t get too far behind.
When I returned to residency, he woke up for the late night feedings to ensure I was rested for the challenges I would meet the next day. He ultimately stayed home with her for the first 2 years of her life which was a blessing.
The next big wife/mother challenge for me was when I deployed for 10 months while still in the Navy. Our daughter was 3 years old at the time and acutely aware of my absence. I missed all three of our birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Valentine’s Day. I barely made it home before Easter. My husband held down the fort at home with amazing faithfulness and patience. We now also have a nearly 2-year-old son.
My current position allows me to be more present in my children’s lives which has been wonderful.
What is one thing you are looking forward to about your professional career this year?
I would like to be able to eventually attend an in-person medical meeting or clinical training. There are a few newer ultrasound-guided nerve block techniques and difficult airway management techniques I would like to learn. These are easier to learn in-person versus via internet-based training resources.
Are there any comments you would like to add?
Your dreams can be achievable. Let your faith, dedication, hard work and good mentors help you to reach those goals. Step over or knock down your barriers and don’t permit self-doubt to prevail.