Mentoring
I have a friend that has just be named Interim Health Information Management Director of an acute care hospital. When she called me to tell me the news, I was just thrilled to hear about her accomplishment. Sherry came to the hospital almost three years ago as a release of information specialist. She is the type of person who can think on her feet and has a constant desire to learn new things. Once she masters a task, she is ready to move on to improve herself. I knew it would be just a matter of time before she started to run the place.
When I meet Sherry five years ago, she was a certified nursing assistant. The two of us knew each other by name only. We were just acquaintances. During the reorganization of the facility that we worked at, the unit secretaries were placed under my department. When a position became open for a unit secretary, Sherry applied for the position. It was clear from all the other applicants that I interviewed that Sherry was the best candidate for the position. She stood out from all the rest. Sherry was trained on the position and she had a genuine curiosity about everything. It did not take long for Sherry to master this position. One of our sister facilities had an opening for a medical records position. The director of nursing asked me to find someone for the position. Well, I knew just the right person.
I asked Sherry if she would be interested in the position. I still remember how excited she was at having the opportunity to change careers. I trained Sherry in the position and she quickly mastered the position. The two of us worked closely together and became friends. Eventually, Sherry became bored with the position and wanted a new challenge. She interviewed for a position as a health information specialist and was offered the position.
When I look back at Sherry's accomplishment, I am so proud of what she has accomplished in such a short time. This is a person who worked in textiles until the industry started to flounder. She re-invented herself and became trained as certified nursing assistant. Today, she is in school to obtain her degree in health information and a director at an acute care facility. When I meet Sherry, I knew that she was one of those people who had so much potential but needed the opportunity to show what she could do. I feel proud to know her and glad that I was able to help her along the way.