2026 Women In Health Party

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. My advice to a young women entering the health field would be the same as to a young woman entering any other other field. You are uniquely gifted with a skill set that is meant to be used to benefit others. Know yourself well enough to identify those gifts, hold your head high with assurance that you deserve to be there and show up every day grateful to have been given something to offer others.

What routines and habits help you prepare for, or recover from, a day’s challenges? Well, I don’t always succeed, but I try to get at least seven hours of sleep. I enjoy my morning coffee and about 15 minutes of quiet time before I head to the office. After work, an evening walk and meal with my family is something I look forward to. This is not possible every day, but it is always something I try to make happen.

Describe the moment or time of life you decided to have a career in medicine. My uncle is a family physician in rural Georgia, and as a child I spent summers watching him make house calls, listen patiently to his neighbors and somehow always make people feel better. When I got to the University of South Carolina, I fell in love with science, but it was that human side of medicine that truly called to me. Seeing my uncle’s deep ties to his community showed me what it means to care for people across generations.

Please share advice you would give to women new to the health field. Prioritize your well-being as much as your professional development. Build healthy habits – regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, meaningful social connections and effective stress management. Stay curious and committed to lifelong learning and seek out mentors who inspire you. Surround yourself with people who support your growth and challenge you to reach your potential.

What is one obstacle that you hope future women in health never have to face? I hope women never have to justify why they deserve a seat at the table. In RCM, we bridge clinical care and financial health – that’s leadership work, not back-office support. The next generation should walk into rooms where their expertise is already valued.

Tell us about one of your clients’ success stories. I helped a family move their 99-year-old mother to Charleston while she was on hospice. After a time in skilled nursing, she improved enough to move into assisted living. She recently turned 100, and we celebrated together.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. My advice is to trust your instincts, even when they challenge the norm. Health care is a system built on hierarchy and tradition, but innovation happens when you bring a fresh lens and speak up for what you see. Build your credibility through competence and integrity, and surround yourself with women who remind you of your worth on the days the system tries to make you forget it.

If you could change one thing about health care, what would it be? Exploring and accepting alternative medical approaches and treatment options – not just relying on additional medication.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Stay curious, confident and compassionate. At Charleston GI, I’ve learned that teamwork and communication are key to growth and success.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Find female role models within your field who are accomplished and lead with integrity, kindness and perspective. Having mentors who understand your challenges both professionally and personally can make all the difference.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Don’t neglect the role of your patients’ caregivers and care partners in patient care. Caregivers often focus their time and energy on their loved ones, ignoring their own needs, to the detriment of their health. Offering support and resources to address the physical, mental and emotional well-being of caregivers can have an incredible impact on patient outcomes.

How would you describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today? For decades, the medical waste industry had been relying on outdated and inefficient processes. I believed that with vision, innovation and courage, we could make it better, not just for hospitals and clinics but for entire communities. Founding EcoSteris was my way of building a company where sustainability, compliance and cost reduction are not competing priorities but shared values.

Health care runs in my family. I began my career in hospital marketing under the guidance of a strong female mentor who offered me a choice I’ll never forget: “I can give you a job, or I can give you some advice.” I chose the advice. She shared that she had been passed over twice for promotion because she lacked a graduate degree. That conversation changed the trajectory of my career.

Tell us about one of your patients’ success stories. As a dental hygienist, it is not just about cleaning teeth but about listening to your patients’ needs and sometimes even changing people’s lives. I have been a dental hygienist for over 40 years. In that time, there could be many stories to tell. One is a story that goes from depression to that of living life now with a smile always on their face. A widow who once did not bathe to that of a widow who shined when she came in dressing to the T. Listening to patients and showing you care can indeed change people’s lives.

How would you describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today? My journey to leadership has been anything but traditional. iTrust Wellness was my first job out of college just three years ago.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field.  Allow your compassion to shine, use logic for decisions and focus on solutions instead of problems.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Always have gratitude and always acknowledge and appreciate your co-workers. No matter what our role is, none of us could do our jobs without each other. We all share the common goal of doing what is best for the patient or resident.

How would you describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today? My journey has been both personal and professional. It began during my years as a teacher, where I developed a deep sense of responsibility for others’ growth and well-being. Teaching taught me how to communicate clearly, lead with empathy and adapt to the unique needs of each individual.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Lead with curiosity and compassion. Health care will challenge you intellectually and emotionally, but your empathy and integrity will always be your strongest tools. Listen deeply to patients, families and your colleagues. Be guided by evidence but never lose sight of the person behind the data. Don’t wait for permission to lead; leadership starts with how you show up every day.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. With so many paths in health care, allow yourself the freedom to explore where your skills and passions truly fit. Don’t box yourself into what you think you should be doing. Explore your career beyond your initial expectations.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Be honest – especially when you don’t know something. Say it plainly, then follow it with, “but here’s how I’m going to find out.” That simple habit will earn you more trust than trying to look like you have every answer. Be accountable when you make mistakes. People don’t need perfect leaders; they need leaders they can trust. Own your part; don’t blame circumstances or other people and apologize when necessary.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Women new to the health field should be relentless, stay organized and trust their analytical mind. Success isn’t about luck; it’s about persistence, careful planning and tackling challenges head-on. Step up, lead projects from start to finish and always look for ways to elevate patient care and streamline work flow. And don’t underestimate the power of being bilingual; it’s a true asset, letting you break down language barriers and make a real difference in patients’ lives.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Know what you know and know what you don’t know – both are equally important. Don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t immediately know the answer but always do your best to find it.

Tell us about a time when being a woman in health care offered an advantage. Many of my patients, particularly women, tell me they feel comfortable talking to me about sensitive issues such as reproductive/sexual health and experiences of trauma. I think this allows me to obtain a more complete history and better diagnostic information. 

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. Choose a path that aligns with your interests but also consider what you want your day-to-day life to look like. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into health care, it’s our responsibility to learn how to leverage it to our advantage while maintaining the value of human intelligence and interpersonal relationships.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. I would encourage women new to the health field to practice assertive communication to balance the needs of self as well as others. Too often, the passive approach fails and leads to more aggressive communication, often directed internally.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. In any profession, relationships and relationship-building are essential – and health care is no exception. I encourage women entering the field to seek out mentors and invest in those relationships; mentorship can be deeply rewarding both for the mentee and the mentor. Throughout my own career, I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors from whom I’ve learned invaluable lessons. I continue to value these relationships and seek out their guidance to this day.

Please share advice you would give as a mentor to women new to the health field. I have been in the medical field for over 25 years and continue to love every minute of it. Like any leadership position, it can be challenging at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. My advice is this: Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you find yourself in a board meeting surrounded by senior leaders – the CEO, COO or VPs – share your ideas and perspectives with confidence. They may not always agree, and your idea may not be implemented right away, but that’s not the point. What matters is that you had the courage to contribute.

How would you describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today? My mother was diagnosed with leukemia in 1987. We watched her suffer for 14 months. The year after she passed away, hospice exploded. My goal is that no person should have to suffer in pain. Through this experience, I have empathy for the families I work with, and I treat their loved ones like I would have wanted my mother treated.

How would you describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today? After earning an undergraduate degree in athletic training/sports medicine and a master’s in the same field, I became a certified athletic trainer, working with athletes of all levels and obtaining my strength and conditioning certificate, which led to my work with the women’s World Cup team, high school football players and high-level college and professional athletes. When I felt I needed more, I went back to school and obtained my PT license. I have been treating athletes and patients for over 40 years.