Ready to write your next chapter? Revisit your passion.
We are constantly looking toward the future, whether it’s building new facilities, growing our team or innovating our practice. As we look ahead, let’s pause a moment and remember what brought us to healthcare in the first place. For many of us, it was the yearning to give back – to help others through problems we’ve faced ourselves. That’s true of Jane Suliga, a nurse and diabetes educator at the outpatient diabetes center at Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center.
During her first pregnancy, Jane got some shocking news: She had type 1 diabetes. She had no family history of the disease. She was a recovery room RN at the time, but even with her medical background, she found few resources to help her manage her condition. It wasn’t until she came to a job fair at Prince William Medical Center that she learned about the field of diabetes education. That’s it, thought Jane. That’s what I am meant to do.
Jane now views her own disease as “a blessing in disguise,” because it led her to a career that she loves. “This is my thing. I delight in being able to help people with diabetes, to let them know you can live with this and have a good life,” she said. “We’ve got so much to help us with now that we didn’t have when I was first diagnosed. I love my job!”
Jane discovered her passion for helping others because of her own personal health crisis, and her desire to help others through struggles she has faced fuels her work and brings her joy. This is true for many in the medical field who may have faced a turning point that led them into healthcare. For them, the work they do is about more than a paycheck – it’s about a purpose.
I encourage each of us to re-examine the prologue of our own personal stories – the reason we got into healthcare in the first place. It’s our passion for caring for others that helps us truly live out our mission, vision and values – the things that stand out to our patients and make a difference in their lives. Knowing why we’re here is important, because it carries us through hard days and reminds us that helping people lead healthier lives isn’t just a job – it’s a calling.
What launched your passion for healthcare? Share your stories in the comments below.