My Story
Three words spoken by my father changed the course of my life when I was seven years old. I remember rolling the words around in my mouth, struggling to place the syllables in the right order: “Res-pir -tory-sin-rus?” I tried, whispering into the phone. “Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),” my father replied quietly, “Your brother has an infection in his lungs and cannot breathe on his own, Kimberly.”
My childish world of hopscotch and jump rope was then traded in for a world of hospital rooms, masks, ventilators, oxygen tubes and IV’s. For two years my brother was in and out of the hospital, and, because my parents were unable to speak English, I accompanied him to his medical appointments. Being bilingual proved to be useful for overcoming the communication barrier for my family and it made me feel valuable. I knew my brother was sick and I was sad to see him leave every time he couldn’t breathe. While interpreting for my parents, I remained by my brother’ side, rubbing his arm and chest to show him that I cared about him.
Simply put, I fell in love with medicine, and I knew healthcare was where I belonged. Doctors and nurses became my own, personal superheroes, capable of handling whatever complications were thrown their way. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I automatically responded, ‘a hero doctor’ not knowing what it really meant nor the commitment it would require. I knew that these were the people who saved my brother’s life, and I wanted to be just like them. It was my desire to study medicine, but I was uncertain which route to pursue. The idea of piecing together the puzzle of a patient's symptoms to make a diagnosis fascinated me and I sought to challenge myself.
The first time I was exposed to surgical technology while taking classes through a community college. I saw students in the OR gowning and gloving themselves. I got snoopy and decided to ask the students what they were doing. Later, I learned about the program, I took it upon myself to go to the director of Surgical Technology. She informed me the next start date was in the fall. I quickly made sure I got my prerequisites out of the way and applied. Through my time working in various healthcare roles, I realized that not only would becoming a certified surgical technologist satisfy my desire to serve patients, but it also offers an incredible diversity in potential specialization.
After graduating from the Surgical Technology Program at Minnesota West Community & Technical College in Pipestone, MN I started scrubbing in 2016 as Labor & Delivery scrub and fell in love. I knew if I invested my time and energy more opportunities would surface. I worked in L&D for a year and two years in the Main OR enjoying every moment. With years of hands-on experience in surgical technology, I bring a wealth of expertise to the table, coupled with a passion for traveling and expanding my knowledge. My accountability and teaching skills make me an invaluable asset, as I excel in both precept and instruct others in this field.
Compassion, caring, and relationships, however, are not the only things necessary to succeed as a surgical technologist. Knowledge, education, and dedication are crucial to providing competent medical care. Proficiently analyzing data, a patient’s characteristics, health status, diagnosis, treatment, medication, imagining, laboratory studies, and conduct meaningful return visits for patients with ongoing health issues. I feel my past experiences and present work serve as evidence of my passion and commitment to this career field I will carry into the future.
As “The Unstoppable Scrub”, I seek to be an advocate for the voiceless; a caregiver for the forgotten, and a listener for those who are hurting. I look forward to joining the “hero doctors” of my childhood. My goal is to have a positive impact on the lives of my patients and their families as the healthcare providers who helped my brother did on me and my family.