Network Asks…How Do You Improve Health Every Day?
"I improve health every day by performing diagnostic vascular ultrasound exams for patients, managing our 11 sonographers and helping to provide them with a second pair of eyes to confirm results, if needed. I also help expedite test results for patients, which are reviewed by a surgeon, often the very same day. The ultrasounds we conduct provide very detailed, precise information that guides the surgeons so they can decide what next steps are needed. Forty-five minutes to an hour is a long time to spend with a patient. By being patient and reassuring, we get to know our patients and they come to know us.
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— Courtney Nelms, BS, RVT, RDMS, FSVU
Peripheral Vascular Lab Manager
Sentara Advanced Vascular Treatment Center in
Virginia Beach
Years with Sentara: 13
“I improve health every day by treating each patient as if he or she was a member of my family and by letting the person know he is my top priority. Some of my patients have end stage renal disease, need a kidney transplant or have diminished circulation in their legs. I care about their emotional and psychological state, and I try to establish a good rapport, not only with them, but with their family. After all, it is the family who is entrusting their mom-dad-sister-brother to us, and I want them to know we’ll take good care of them. I say to my patients, ‘You’re my primary purpose for being here today…’"
—Sandra Lomans, RN
Vascular Specialty, Main Operating Room
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Years with Sentara: 10
“I improve health every day by having empathy for my patients. I try to understand what it’s like to have vascular disease. What are their needs? How best can we help them? Some of my patients have poor circulation to their legs, so we’re here to help them walk without pain or to prevent them from needing amputation. We try to do more for them less invasively. We try to give them options. This is a growing field. I moved here over five years ago from the operating room because I saw it as the future. It used to be that 75 percent of vascular patients needed surgery and 25 percent could be treated non-invasively, but today, it’s just the opposite."
― Nilsa Wilkins
Cardiovascular Technician
Sentara CarePlex Hospital
Years with Sentara: 22 
“I improve health every day by using my sense of humor to help my patients relax prior to a procedure. With vascular patients, we’re looking at the blood vessels in the arms and legs and they may have blockages where we can go in and insert a stent and improve their quality of life or prevent or delay the need for surgery with a minimally invasive procedure. Still, it’s a serious situation and naturally my patients are afraid, but when I act silly and tell bad jokes in a professional way, even the cranky ones end up smiling. I smile at them, touch their hand and tell them ‘I’m going to be in there with you, taking care of you…’”
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Alicia Powell, RTR, RCIS
Cardiac Catheterization & Vascular Lab
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
Years with Sentara: 11 
“I help to improve health every day by performing ultrasound and doppler exams to check for arterial and venous disease. The equipment I use allows me to record concise information for our physicians to review later. Physicians rely on technologists to report positive results. With a positive finding, we consult with the physician and, as a result, patients are often taken directly from the lab to the Emergency Department so that treatment may begin right away. Many times patients and physicians thank me. It gives me great job satisfaction to know I have given quality care.”
― Julora Carpenter
Registered Vascular Technologist
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
Years with Sentara: 18