Network: February/March 2009
How Do You Improve Health Every Day?
"
I improve health every day by using my personal experience with sleep apnea to help put my patients at ease. I’ve used a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine for 18 years and when I tell my patients I use the same equipment prescribed for them, it helps them get over their initial fear. I enjoy my job because sleep impacts everything. If you don’t sleep well, you don’t feel well. As an accredited, full-service sleep lab we diagnose and treat all types of sleep disorders and we follow up with our patients. I can really make a difference in how my patients feel on a daily basis. It’s motivating for them and it’s rewarding for me."
— Jay Devers, RRT, RPSGT
Team Coordinator
Sleep Disorders Center
Sentara Obici Hospital
Years with Sentara Obici Hospital : 13
"I improve health every day by treating patients and co-workers the way I would want to be treated — with respect, empathy and dignity. It is important to me to make a commitment to my customers by assisting them to the best of my ability. I listen and respond to their needs and try to create an exceptional experience for them at each office visit. I am the first person to greet our customers. I schedule appointments, protect their privacy and assist them with questions. Effective communication with physicians, co-workers and visitors, as well as our patients, is key to my job."
— Lindsey Aviles
Secretary
Sentara Neurology Specialists, Virginia Beach
Time with Sentara: 4 months
"I improve health every day by working with Interventional Radiology technologists, RNs, PAs and radiologists to diagnose and treat patient diseases. As team leader, I help answer questions about procedures, set up in-services and train my team on new equipment. In Neurointerventional Radiology we treat patients with brain aneurysms, tumors, and Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs). In Interventional Radiology we treat patients with liver cancer, obstructed liver or kidneys or arterial bleeding. I also lead a team of technologists in the 3D lab responsible for producing computer generated 3D models of a patient’s anatomy. These images help with radiologists’ interpretations and help surgeons plan for surgery."
— Al Nichols, RT(R) (CV)
Team Leader
Neuro, Interventional & 3D Radiology Department
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Years with Sentara: 13