Doing it with Heart for 30 Years: What it Means to Me

At the age of 18, I began my journey at Valley Children’s, brimming with ambition but uncertain of my path in the medical field. 30 years later, I found more than a job in medicine. I found an organization where I discovered my passion for helping others.

Initially, I started working as an EKG technician in the cardiac catheterization laboratory lab, where I found the rhythm of heartbeats resonated with my own aspirations. It was here that my friend and mentor Dr. Joy Guthrie recognized my potential and encouraged me to apply for a new sonography program in Merced. It was here I realized this field and its supportive bond extended beyond professional guidance; it forged friendships that became akin to family, enriching my life in ways I had not anticipated. 

30 years later, I am now a mother of four and grandmother of two. I have learned through many lessons at Valley Children's, one being balancing my responsibilities with joy and cherishing moments spent with loved ones. This lesson has allowed me to expand my duties and be promoted to the manager of cardiology, where I have been able to give back and mentor my team the way Joy did for me. 

30 years for an organization as great as Valley Children's can be reflected in many words, but most importantly for me, it is gratitude. I am grateful for my journey and look forward to someday retiring alongside the mentors who shaped my career, while also building up the next generation of great healthcare professionals.