I have worked at Alamance Regional Medical Center (ARMC) for 7 years in the cath lab and as manager for the past 3 years. My career in healthcare first began in 1968, working in ICU as a Respiratory Therapist for 16 years. After I became aware of heart caths and had the opportunity to see one, I was hooked. I transferred to the cath lab where I worked for 13 years. Since my first hospital was a teaching hospital, I had great opportunities to observe and learn until coming to ARMC seven years ago. I have been the cath lab manager for the past 3 years.

Why did you choose to work in the invasive cardiology field?
I found it very challenging professionally as well as rewarding personally to participate in the diagnosis of and intervention for cardiac disease.

Can you describe your role in the CV Lab?
My role includes the usual administrative duties, i.e., coordination of staff and procedure schedules, department equipment and supply acquisition, staff precepting, fiscal management of annual budget and overseeing billing, charges, expenses and salaries. I am also responsible for coordinating physician schedules so that patient procedures are done in a timely and cost-effective manner.

What is the biggest challenge you see regarding your role in the CV lab?
We were one of the first hospitals in North Carolina to start a PCI program without surgical backup. The program is affiliated with Duke University Medical Center; therefore, inter-hospital planning, meeting, PI and QA are required to maintain the program and ensure patient safety.

What motivates you to continue working in the CV lab?
Although the basics of cardiac caths may not have changed over the years, the innovations in technology and interventional techniques continue to pique my interest and challenge me. Also, the different challenges presented by individual cases are never boring.

What is the most bizarre case you have ever been involved in?
Years ago, before stents, rotoblator, etc., we had a nine-hour angioplasty and still didn™t keep the lesion open. With the advances in cardiology, you would not see that today.

When work gets stressful and you experience low moments (as we all do), what do you do to help keep your morale high?
I start new projects and try to come up with better ways to improve the lab.

If you could send a message back to yourself at the beginning of your cath lab career, what advice would you give?
I would advise myself to start in the cath lab sooner. With only 20 of my 37 years in healthcare spent in the lab, I wish I™d found my niche much sooner.

Do you remember your first invasive procedure?
I was scared to death with those long wires and catheters and so much equipment.

Has anyone in particular been helpful to you in your growth as a cardiac professional?
Donald Jones, CVT encouraged me to train in the cath lab and there has been many others over the years.

Where do you see yourself professionally when it is time to retire?
As the cath lab changes and technologies improve, I envision myself as being able to stay challenged in the manager™s position. I have no plans to retire but hope that I can attain a level of administration that will further promote and advance the cardiac cath lab at Alamance Regional Medical Center.

What changes do you think will occur in the field of cardiology in the coming decades?
With the improvements in diagnostic screening procedures, I see the traditional diagnostic cath numbers continuing to decrease, with interventional procedures steadily increasing. I envision new and better technologies making breakthroughs in prevention and treatment of cardiac disease as we now know it.