Employee stories

Michael Phlebotomist

He's a skilled phlebotomist.
Michael was heading home and saw a distraught patient who couldn't find her car. He asked her to wait in his car while he walked around the parking lot to find hers. Michael is proof that, to succeed here, you need to be a true professional.
Who also knows how to find cars.

Name: Michael
Title: Phlebotomist
Facility: Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
Years with Novant: Two years
Why healthcare?
My past job wasn't taking me where I wanted to go. I knew I wanted to be in a setting where I could be involved with people and make a difference in someone's life.
What's the best part of your job?
I can laugh with our patients while giving them exceptional service every day. Seeing so many patients from so many backgrounds has taught me many things.
If not healthcare, what would you do?
I would be in the entertainment business - maybe as an actor or a sportscaster.
What about your spare time?
I love to play basketball, go to church and hang out with my family, friends and fiancee.

Cherie, RN Nurse Manager

Name: Cherie
Title: RN Nurse Manager
Facility: Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
Years with Novant: Nine years
Why healthcare?
I've always has a desire to care for others. This profession has allowed me to fulfill that. Now that I'm in a leadership role, I still feel that I can touch lives by influencing my staff and fostering a caring environment.
What's the best part of your job?
The most rewarding part of the job has been the same for me from day one - seeing an open heart patient go from their lowest point after surgery to walking a short time later. While it's wonderful to know that I'm part of an organization where patients are given a new lease on life, it's also humbling to know that I'm part of something so special.
If not healthcare, what would you do?
I honestly don't know. This is where I need to be!
What about your spare time?
Watching my young daughter, Kenzie, grow up too fast! She is the balance in my life.

Nicole, Nurse Practitioner

Name: Nicole
Title: Nurse Practitioner
Facility: Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
Years with Novant: Two years
Why healthcare?
I have always loved cardiology and was intrigued at the idea of specializing in one disease process. Our process focuses not only on the medical side of heart failure, but the social and psychological issues associated with this disease process so that we provide holistic medicine. That's very rewarding.
What's the best part of your job?
Spending time with my patients here in the clinic. I get to know them well and can do a lot of education. That's so important in outpatient disease management.
If not healthcare, what would you do?
I would probably be a vet - still a caregiver, but not "furry" patients.
What about your spare time?
I enjoy taking dance classes, yoga, playing golf, and traveling to tropical destinations.

Becky, Customer Service Rep

Becky's actions say a lot about Novant.
When she got up from her desk and drove miles across town to help a patient find a treatment center, Becky never once doubted that she way doing the right thing. That's because our patients go on and on about our remarkable approach to healthcare.
But they say even more about Becky.

Name: Becky
Title: Customer Service Representative
Facility: Novant Health Medical Park Hospital
Years with Novant: Four years
Why healthcare?
I wasn't particularly looking for a career in healthcare when I found this job. However, once I started and saw the potential for helping people, I knew this was where I needed to be to make a difference in many lives.
What's the best part of your job?
The best part is that I know I can make life a little easier for patients, physicians, medical staff, and for my co-workers.
If not healthcare, what would you do?
Probably something to do with art - I love to create, and art would be a great way for me to practice that gift.
What about your spare time?
I enjoy drawing, reading, and visiting with family and friends.

Ashley, RN - NICU

Name: Ashley
Title: RN - NICU
Facility: Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
Years with Novant: Six years
Why healthcare?
I wanted to make a difference in this small population - both to the babies and to the families. They all need so much.
What's the best part of your job?
Seeing a baby that's born at 24 weeks grow into a healthy child with no problems. It's amazing to see the progression that they can make.
If not healthcare, what would you do?
I'd probably work with animals - that's my second true passion.
What about your spare time?
I'm very active outside of work, and just a few of my interests include running, reading and going to the beach.

Chip, Registered Nurse

Chip found a patient in distress.
When Chip discovered Rebecca wasn't breathing, he immediately began CPR, and with the help of his team saved her life. Two weeks later, Rebecca found him and thanked him. By doing his job, Chip gave his patient more time to be with her family.
And was reminded again why he chose healthcare.

Name: Chip
Title: Registered Nurse
Facility: Harris House, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
Years with Novant: Three years
Why healthcare?
I wanted to become self-actualized and experience life through the lens of healthcare. I am suited to hospice because I understand the fears and nervousness of the patients, and I think that this helps me help others.
What's the best part of your job?
Helping patients and their families are that treatment is not as frightening as they imagine.
If not healthcare, what would you do?
If I weren't in healthcare, I'd probably make stained glass or be a dog whisperer.
What about your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy exercise, yoga and camping with my wife.

Neikia, Electronic Imaging Librarian

She helped a patient find the lobby.
After a long day in radiology, Neikia's patient was hungry. Too bad the kitchen was closed. Neikia tracked down a chef and some food for her patient. It seems that she did something more than remarkable.
She also found some dinner.

Name: Neikia
Title: Electronic Imaging Librarian
Facility: PHM Radiology Department
Years with Novant: Thirteen years
Why healthcare?
I chose healthcare as a career because, even as a young adult, I believed I had a lot to offer to each person I came in contact with. I chose Radiology because it's a hands-on and up-close and personal department.
What's the best part of your job?
The most rewarding parts of my job are coming to work and being around the most loving, caring, sharing, team-driven, dependable and diverse group of people I have ever known. We are one body and mind when it comes to each other and taking care of our patients.
If not healthcare, what would you do?
I can honestly say I don't know - because being in healthcare has always been a goal, and this is my dream come true. I love it here.
What about your spare time?
I volunteer at the women's shelter in Charlotte, NC, I love going to church, I love a great book and the time it takes to read one, being with my friends and having great food and a good time...but most of all taking the time with my family and just making sure that everything is right in their life.