Making a difference

Women perform many jobs throughout the hospital, at all levels of management and staff. They are physicians, pharmacists, front desk clerks, custodians, general maintenance workers, supervisors, nurses, social workers and military service members. Six of these outstanding women shared their experiences.

Angela Hill is the sole discharge planner for NH Jax. She coordinates the needs of patients being discharged from the hospital (e.g., home health care, medical equipment). She also deals daily with patients from infants to senior citizens on issues such as child abuse, substance intervention and domestic violence. Hill attributes her success, in part, to her passion for helping people in need and the excellent education she obtained-earning a Masters in Social Work from the University of Georgia. She credits her mother with her drive to help others, having watched her care for mentally challenged children. Hill feels she is fortunate and blessed to be in this position.

Krissy Sierski, contractor, IAP-Hill

SKC Carolyn Campbell is the leading chief petty officer for the NH Jax Materials Management Department. Originally joining the military for educational benefits, Campbell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts. She credits a great deal of her success to the mentorship of YN1 Mency, who taught her the value of learning and applying the information from directives, manuals and standard operating procedures. Confidence, determination and knowledge are qualities that have helped her persevere and overcome obstacles during her career. She feels that NH Jax is an excellent environment for continued growth in her professional career.

Krissy Sierski is a general maintenance worker who has worked at NH Jax since October 2005. As part of the IAP-Hill team, a contracted business that provides facility support services to the hospital, her duties include preventative maintenance, hazardous waste management and minor construction. While trained as a nursing assistant, she finds her work with IAP-Hill to be more rewarding. Sierski takes great pride in her work and is known as a go-getter who always does excellent work.

Margaret Brown is the safety manager at NH Jax. She's been working here since May 2001. What led her to this career choice? Simply put, it wasn't even planned, Brown said. She was working in a laboratory, and her department needed someone to address a few safety issues. One thing led to another and the one time lab assignment turned into a position she loves today. Brown's goal is to keep the hospital safe for patients, staff and visitors. Does her work ever get boring? Brown said, "This field is getting more involved and interesting. Changes happen - sometimes every 15 minutes." Her legacy is her work being done thoroughly. She is very thankful that she is here at Naval Hospital doing just that - her work.

Margaret Brown, Naval Hospital Jax safety manager

HM1 Sheila Velez is a hospital corpsman assigned to Command Education and Training at NH Jax. She has worked here since October 2001. She began her Navy career as a dental assistant and is presently working toward a degree in human resources. Asked what is the secret to her success, Velez said, "It's attention to detail and follow-through ethics." She believes these two things guarantee success in any position or field. Velez, who joined the military after the death of her sister, found a home in the military. The structure and camaraderie within the military has made her strong, determined and resourceful. She believes these qualities are apparent in her daily work. When asked if she felt she had been treated equally throughout her career, she said "no." However, she said that once she works with an individual and they experience her work ethics and fairness, she has never had a problem. Her future goals are to earn a degree and get promoted to chief petty officer.

Women who have made a difference at NH Jax continue to do so when they move on to other assignments.

Cmdr. Linda Lake recently served as the head of patient administration at NH Jax and is now on her long-awaited tour in Rota, Spain. Lake said she wanted to be a nurse since age 12 and started doing summer volunteer work at a hospital at age 15. After high school, she received her Associate Degree in Nursing and spent nine years practicing civilian healthcare. She found that environment enjoyable, but lacked a personal and professional challenge.

HM1 Sheila Velez, Naval Hospital Jax Command Education and Training

Lake said, "I found that challenge in the military and now I now feel my full potential can be realized." She joined the Naval Reserves as a hospital corpsman and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing through a Navy scholarship program.

Lake's first mentor in the Navy was Jim Finch, her department head in labor and delivery in Guam. "He was the most competent and caring nurse I ever worked with," she said. Through his efforts and leadership, Lake was able to gain the confidence and knowledge of the labor process to better serve her patients.

Lake feels the ratio of women to men in the nursing field has changed for the better.

Angela Hill, Naval Hospital Jacksonville discharge planner

She believes good men have recognized their value in the nursing profession. She believes that nursing is a sustainable professional career for men and women rather than a stepping-stone towards a medical practice.

Working at NH Jax brought Lake two firsts in her career - administrative and ambulatory care experience. Her goals include obtaining her Nursing Practice Doctorate to work in diabetes management.

Each and every one of these women brings professionalism and dedication to the workplace every day. Through education and perseverance women continue to shine in the workplace where race, creed, color or sex is no longer an obstacle. Their presence makes us all stronger and aids greatly in our continuing efforts to improve the delivery of patient care throughout Navy Medicine.