Since becoming a nurse, Rebecca Roe has lived out her passion for delivering the most expert and compassionate patient care possible. More than that, she’s been committed to helping teach, mentor, and inspire other nurses to find greater purpose and meaning in their work as they provide that same level of care.
Rebecca joined Northside Hospital as a nurse traveler in 2001. As Rebecca recalls, ”What brought me here and has kept me at Northside was my experience working at other places. That convinced me that Northside was the place where I could find the most opportunity for growth and career advancement. It has also provided me with a way to give back to others and be the nurse I want to be.”
The opportunity to give back to others came quickly for Rebecca when she took on the role of Clinical Development Specialist with the Surgical Services Quality and Education Department. “I’ve been a nurse for a long time and surgery was always my love, but my career path led me to learn all the phases of care from pre-op to post-op care, including the ICU. Through the support of great leaders, I was able to start the Periop 101 program.”
Because of her extensive experience, Rebecca was given consistent opportunities to lead, teach, and precept team members. Her love for the nursing profession, nurses, and surgery team members, as well as her commitment to improving patient care, has driven her career path. “My proudest moments have been introducing new innovative surgical procedures at the Northside Forsyth campus. I’m grateful to be one of the coordinators for driving this change.”
In addition, Rebecca appreciates the fact that Northside fosters a culture where nurses are able to care for their patients and take time to make personal connections with patients, families, medical staff, vendors, and co-workers. “We have great patient care, and our surgery outcomes are exemplary. I stay energized by working with some of the most incredible young nurses who work tirelessly to ensure Northside is the best place to provide patient care.” Rebecca advocates for and supports the growth and development of these.
It takes a great mind to help uncover the causes and potential cures of neurological illnesses and injuries. Northside Hospital’s Jennifer Clarke has that mental power in abundance.
It all began when Jennifer was in the process of attaining her Associate degree in nursing. She knew she wanted to help others within a healthcare setting, but felt drawn to a more technical clinical role. She found what she was looking for as a Registered Electroencephalographic Technologist (REET) at Northside Hospital. In this highly-specialized position, Jennifer prepares and administers electroencephalograms (EEGs) for a diverse patient population presenting a wide variety of symptoms. The vital work she performs helps our neurologists, neurosurgeons, and other medical professionals better diagnose and treat a range of complex neurological conditions.
What made Jennifer decide to join Northside Hospital? “I relocated from New Jersey and chose Northside because my best friend was working there,” says Jennifer. “She kept telling me that the opportunities for advancement at Northside were exceptional and that the staff was really friendly. She was right! It was amazing when I passed my boards, and the Northside recruiter called to congratulate me on my accomplishment.”
Jennifer has now been working at Northside for quite some time. What keeps her at Northside? “The reason I have stayed at Northside Hospital is the great team and work-life balance, as well as the appreciation and recognition that I received. In fact, my favorite thing about working at Northside is knowing that I’m working with a team that is supportive and patient-oriented. I also enjoy that I am able to work independently, and have some flexibility with my hours.”
Working as a Registered Electroencephalographic Technologist requires in-depth knowledge of both human anatomy as well as advanced technology. It can be highly challenging and deeply rewarding. “The thing that inspires me the most is knowing that I have made a difference in a patient’s life through the EEG. Knowing that I have performed a quality EEG for the patient’s neurologist to review, and assist in their diagnosis inspires me to continue performing quality EEGs.”
What advice would Jennifer give to someone thinking about starting their own career path at Northside? “At Northside Hospital, you will be recognized for your hard work. Always believe in yourself!”
Thank you, Jennifer, for the meaningful difference you make in your patients’ lives!
As a bone marrow transplant (BMT) nurse at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Tyler is committed to making a life-changing impact on others. It’s all about the personal connection.
Tyler’s career at Northside began as the result of a personal connection. It started in nursing school when Tyler noticed a tumor behind his ear. He needed to have the tumor surgically removed, and later had surgery at Northside. During a conversation with his surgical tech, they spoke about Tyler’s career plans. Tyler expressed an interest in moving into an oncology nursing career. The tech told Tyler about Northside’s excellent oncology program and spoke in depth about the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Northside.
That initial conversation set Tyler on an exciting career path with Northside. Tyler went straight from nursing school to the Northside Nurse Residency Program. Thanks to the mentorship he received in the program, he became thoroughly prepared for his current role with the BMT team. Tyler says, “My preceptors were awesome. They were very good at helping you learn the floor. It was a smooth transition – going from new grad, to learning everything with the residency, to being on my own.”
Since becoming established at Northside, Tyler has enjoyed the consistent support and encouragement of the team members on his unit. “When you work a job, you spend most of your day there, so it’s really important that you like the people you work with. And I really enjoy the people I work with. I feel like I’m working with friends every day. And it’s not just a work-based relationship. It’s like family.”
Due to the unique nature of his clinical specialty, Tyler has had the same positive relationship-building experience with his patients. Because his patients come in and generally stay for at least four weeks, he is able to get to know them and their families while he helps them receive treatment and recover. As Tyler notes, “It’s pretty important to me and has a big impact on who I am and the values I have.”
Imagine a world with no Internet as we know it, no smartphones, laptops or tablets, no emails or instant messages, no universal electronic medical records, and definitely no Zoom calls.
That’s the way the world was in 1982 when Lynn Thompson joined Northside Hospital. Healthcare and nursing were very different then. Yet, one thing has remained constant – Lynn’s unwavering commitment to providing expert, compassionate care to her patients and strong empathetic support to those around her.
Lynn’s clinical expertise and uplifting spirit have enabled her to enjoy growth and deep satisfaction with her career at Northside. “I have grown so much over the 40 years here,” says Lynn. “I appreciate the leadership who took the time to encourage me to grow. That is the type of leader I strive to be. I have experienced so many different levels/positions since I started out as a Patient Care Technician while in nursing school. I then became a staff nurse, relief charge nurse, supervisor and then my current role as Clinical Manager on the Surgical Care & Trauma Unit at Northside Hospital Gwinnett.”
Patient satisfaction is a big focus for Lynn. “We provide excellent care to our patients and encourage them to be involved in their care. We also have a dedicated patient experience team that helps train all leaders in elevating the patient experience.”
Lynn knows when her team feels valued, respected and cared for, they are better equipped to provide the kind of care patients desire and deserve. She is a leader and champion of Self Care for Healthcare, a Northside Hospital employee program. Through this program, staff are encouraged to make sure they take care of themselves – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
As Lynn has grown at Northside, she is committed to helping her team do the same. “I enjoy watching and helping train our staff to grow into leaders, and I strongly encourage their development. Our unit has several nurses that started here who are now managers, service coordinators and more. We focus on teamwork and always support each other so you never feel like you are alone. It is this “work family” that keeps me here and keeps me going.”
We’re pleased to be able to recognize Lynn for all she’s done for us these past 40 years.Thank you for being a staple on the Northside team, Lynn!
Bell bottoms, wide lapels, and groovin’ to the Osmonds. 1971 was quite the year. In addition to all of the cool trends, hip hairdos, and far-out styles, it was the year Kathy Pounds started working at Northside Hospital.Known as “Mrs. Northside” for five decades of dedicated service to the organization, Kathy is currently a Government Refund Analyst at Northside responsible for monitoring Medicare/Medicaid/CMOs/MH accounts.
She was originally drawn to the opportunity to make a real difference in others’ lives and has been doing that as a key member of Northside’s Business Office ever since. Kathy says, “I’ve done it all at Northside, but I really love my current role. Northside is just a great place to work. I have enjoyed being a part of its growth, of course, and we have grown tremendously. All the changes that have happened through the years are what I remember most fondly.”
Kathy also loves the people she works with. They’re a big part of the reason that she has been with us for 50 years. “Many of them have been working alongside me for 20 to 30 years. I also have terrific managers and supervisors.”
Over the course of her career journey at Northside, Kathy has gained a tremendous amount of job-related insight. “If you want to get the most out of your career, always enjoy your job and take pride in what you do. Remember, you’re not only doing it for yourself but for the community that you live in. Strive to help make it a better place. If you’re looking to enjoy a successful career as a member of the Business Office team, come in with an open mind and do your best every day and you will go far. There’s a lot of opportunity for advancement.”
Kathy will be retiring in 2022 which will give her the opportunity to spend more time enjoying her passions outside of work. “I love being outside and working in the yard. I love flowers and planting my flower beds every spring. I also love animals. We have three goats and have had cows and horses in the past.”
We’re proud to be able to recognize Kathy for all she’s done for us these past 50 years. Thanks, Kathy for 50 great years at Northside – we wouldn’t be where we are today as Atlanta’s most preferred hospital without you!
Every day, the people at Northside Hospital prove that you don’t have to be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound to be a superhero. You just need to be willing and able to leap into action when you’re needed most. That’s what makes Caroline K. a true hero.
From the very beginning when Caroline joined Northside Hospital’s Forsyth campus in a part-time environmental services role in 2014, her special abilities were apparent. Her super attitude and exceptional commitment enabled her to quickly move into a full-time position. She later took her talent to Northside’s Cherokee location where she was eventually promoted to her current role of Lead EVS Tech.
Throughout her years of service at Northside, Caroline has always been focused on making sure patients were well taken care of. That’s why it came as no surprise when Caroline was named one of the “Environmental Services Hero’s on the Frontline of Health Care” by the Association for the Health Care Environment. In addition to this national recognition, Caroline has also received much internal recognition as a top performing EVS worker.
What is the “secret source” of Caroline’s commitment and passion? She would say it’s the support and encouragement she receives from her incredibly diverse group of teammates. “I’m inspired by my manager, Frank and my peers. Everyone is so kind and sweet and hardworking. They’re just like family to me.” In fact, Caroline adds, “I have not seen another company like Northside with such a great environment, friendly coworkers and everything you need to grow.”
Is there some advice that Caroline would share with others looking to make a difference in people’s lives? “You have 30 seconds to connect with your patient and if you do, they will remember you! Always stay focused and open, and be willing to learn.”
Thanks, Caroline for always going above and beyond!
Sometimes, you just know what you want. When she was just a child, Jordan Nielsen knew that she wanted to become a nurse when she grew up. As the first person in her family to go into the medical profession, Jordan was passionate about taking care of others. Jordan says, “Helping others hands-on is what fills my cup.”
After working at several hospitals in Colorado and Georgia, Jordan knew exactly what she wanted in an employer too. She was seeking a hospital to work for that saw her abilities, experience, and all she had to offer.
She found it at Northside – Atlanta’s most preferred hospital. Jordan had several friends who worked at Northside, and they felt like their co-workers were more like family. She came to Northside as an agency nurse and fell in love with her co-workers and has been at Northside ever since.
As a perioperative nurse at Northside, Jordan enjoys tremendous satisfaction in her work. “The most rewarding part of my job as a perioperative nurse, at one of Northside’s surgery centers, is my wonderful work-life balance. I never knew being a nurse could be so flexible. I work with a manager and team that supports my goals, not just inside but outside of work.”
Jordan also loves the unique advantages of working in a smaller surgery center where she can get to know patients and their families before and after surgery. Her team is also smaller which allows for an important level of close-knit collaboration while being able to celebrate life’s milestones together. “I am constantly being told how grateful my patient is for my service and sometimes they even call back after their surgery to tell each of us how pleasant their experience was. I think this is the highest level of appreciation you can ask for as a nurse and it’s what encourages me to keep smiling each day at work, knowing I am making a difference.”
Today, Jordan consistently encourages her friends to join the Northside family, because of how Northside values each employee and their specific abilities and talents. She believes that out of the top hospital systems in the Atlanta area, Northside stands out for their reputation for excellence in patient care and as an employer. “Working here is so rewarding and makes me want to continue the rest of my years as a nurse with Northside. I feel like my job enhances my life so much and the people I work with do as well.”
Northside Midtown Surgery Center
As Atlanta’s most preferred hospital, Northside Hospital is committed to continually seeking opportunities for enhancing, expanding, and improving the care provided to the greater Atlanta community. Northside’s new Midtown Surgery Center is a perfect example of this commitment in practice.
Clinical Manager, Carla K. has played a key role in helping this state-of-the-art facility become a working reality. As a surgical nurse for over 11 years, Carla has helped create a surgery center that is not just brand new, but next-generation, where every single operating room runs at 100% efficiency.
It was important for Northside to incorporate the vision of an outstanding surgical nurse in the design and development of the Center. Carla says, “Having a nurse be part of the project management of this location has made a big difference. I’m focused on making it better for the patients, the staff, and the surgeons. Everything has been 100% thought through. From where the computer is located, to the stretchers, to how to make things better for the employees that come here.”
Elevating Your Experience
Optimizing the employee experience was a key objective in creating the Surgery Center, down to every detail. As Carla explains, “One thing that I love is our break room and the lounge area. It has a beautiful view of the whole Midtown location. Every single one of the boards has the same setting. In the nursing world, that is something we dream about. The pre-op areas have also been planned accordingly so that the OR nurses are able to do everything from the bedside.”
Above all, Carla is passionate about bringing leading-edge surgical care right to the community. “The thing that makes me the most excited about this new outpatient facility is the location,” says Carla. “We’re in the middle, the heart of Midtown.”
The Midtown Surgery Center will provide a wide range of surgical services to meet the unique needs of this diverse and dynamic community. This will include sports medicine, plastics, general and more. Northside is focused on making sure the Midtown Surgery Center becomes an integral part of the community where everyone is part of the Northside family.
With a commitment to delivering only the finest in surgical services, the Midtown Surgery Center is building a team of exceptional clinical and support professionals. This includes OR nurses, pre-op nurses, PACU nurses, and ER nurses as well as surgical techs, patient care techs, support techs, secretaries, and schedulers.
Journey to Respiratory Therapy
Childhood events can define a lifetime of service. Divone Morris has a special passion and commitment for being a respiratory therapist. At the age of 11, Divone watched and waited outside the emergency room while respiratory therapists, nurses and other clinicians gave their all to try to save the life of his infant sister. Divone knew at that moment that he wanted to “pay it forward” and make that same difference in others’ lives.
He began his journey at the University of Arizona as a pre-nursing major. He then moved in a slightly different direction and pursued his current career as a respiratory therapist. Opportunities to make a real, positive impact as well as the flexibility and variety such a career offers, drew him to the field of respiratory therapy.
When it came time to begin his life as a professional RT, Divone chose Northside Hospital. When evaluating his career options, he came to Northside for the inspiring culture Northside fosters. Divone says, “I believe in the culture and focus that the hospital has. Delivering hospitality from the heart is a philosophy we all share at Northside.”
Life at Northside
At Northside, Divone’s day is unpredictable and exciting as it starts with meeting the respiratory therapist from the previous shift. Together, they review any new orders or modifications to existing orders. The meeting helps Divone formulate a game plan which enables him to manage his time and deliver exceptional patient care throughout the day. He also collaborates closely with the nursing staff on his shift to build rapport and ensure continuity of care. Respiratory Therapists engage in various settings throughout Northside – including the emergency department, ICU, NICU, labor and delivery, and general floors.
Working as a Respiratory Therapist provides Divone with an incredibly rewarding career. He says, “The most rewarding part of my role is knowing that I can make a difference in the world. Each day I fight for a better tomorrow for the generations to come.”
What advice would Divone give an individual aspiring for a career in respiratory therapy? “Believe in yourself. Even when you feel like you can’t, you can. There is never an easy moment in respiratory therapy. A wise woman once told me, ‘When you can’t breathe, there’s nothing else in the world that matters’.”
Northside Hospital has been recognized by workplace culture and compensation monitoring site Comparably in 2021 for “Best Leadership Teams” and “Best Companies for Career Growth.”
Comparably’s annual “Best” lists showcase companies that receive the highest ratings on Comparably.com throughout the year (June 23, 2020 through June 23, 2021) based on millions of anonymous employee ratings about work-life balance, compensation, leadership, and more.
Northside ranked No. 13 for Best Leadership Teams and No. 15 for Best Company Career Growth among top large employers (more than 500 employees) across the United States.
Earlier in 2021, Northside was recognized by Comparably for Best HR Teams, Best Company Outlook and Best Places to Work in Atlanta.
Northside Hospital is one of the fastest-growing health care organizations in the Southeast and currently employs more than 24,500 employees, including physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, administrative and support services personnel throughout the Atlanta Region and many parts of Georgia.
For more information about Comparably’s Best Places to Work lists and a complete list of winners, visit: comparably.com.
Find out why Atlanta’s most preferred hospital is your preferred employer too.
Northside Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color,religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.
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