Short background bio/anything that drew me in:
When I was finishing high school, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare because I wanted to be able to help people and quite frankly, have job security. I originally went to community college for nursing and completed all my prerequisite and corequisite classes for the nursing program. I quickly realized that nursing wasn’t what I wanted to pursue. My mom told me to consider studying an engineering discipline, since I was great at mathematics and science. I knew I wanted to stay in healthcare, so I conducted a quick Google search of “healthcare and engineering.” This led me to discover the field of Biomedical Engineering. I went on to earn my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering Technology. During that degree program, I completed an internship at a hospital, which solidified my interest to pursue Healthcare Technology Management as a career.
What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?
Completing my internship program was the initial catalyst that gave me the fundamentals I needed to get into the HTM field. It also gave me the exposure I needed to get my foot in the door, since I had no other experience with HTM, besides my education. I was able to get a job as a biomed in a hospital three months after graduation in 2017. After being in the field for a while, I joined the local HTM association to continue to network with fellow HTM employees and continue to broaden my knowledge.
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
In my humble opinion, this industry has historically been male dominant. Luckily, this never deterred me from pursuing this as a career, but I can see where it may be intimidating. I have had my own personal doubts, just like anyone has, but I have continued to endure by staying committed to the industry and continuing my education. I firmly believe you can achieve anything you set your mind to, if you put in the hard work and persevere through the hard times.
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
My philosophy is that a manger simply delegates, while a leader leads by example and is inspirational. I personally can appreciate the people who have started from the “bottom” and have worked their way up. How can a leader relate to the struggles their staff may be facing, if they have never been in their shoes? No one will have the exact same experiences, but it helps when a leader is relatable and can help their staff get tasks done, in a time of need. A leader will also encourage their staff to pursue any objectives that will enhance their career growth. It is also important for a leader to recognize when an opportunity may arise for an employee to reach their fullest potential, whether that be on their team or not.
What advice do you have for the other women in HTM?
It is amazing to see the growth of this industry, especially since that includes so many women now. We are breaking barriers every day and we should continue to be a force to be reckoned with. Try your best to be confident and minimize any doubts you may have. This may be easier said than done, so please reach out to your fellow peers for guidance and motivation, if you are ever feeling down. We are a close-knit community and we all want to see each other succeed!