How I Went From Medical Assistant to Area Manager — And What I Learned Along the Way
From Medical Assistant to Area Manager: A Journey of Resilience, Growth, and Unwavering Determination
When I started my career as a medical assistant, I never imagined I would one day lead multiple clinics, mentor teams, and shape the daily operations of urgent care sites. I didn’t grow up with a roadmap to leadership or a clear path laid out in front of me. I grew up learning how to work hard, show up, and make the most of every opportunity — even the unexpected ones.
“Your potential isn’t defined by where you begin — it’s defined by your willingness to rise.”
My journey from MA to Area Manager wasn’t fast or easy, but it was real, grounded, and built on resilience. It taught me that growth doesn’t happen all at once — it happens in moments. In small choices. In quiet decisions. In the days you choose to try again when you’re tired, the days you say yes to learning something new, and the days you refuse to settle because you know you can become something more.
As a young mother raising three children, I learned how to be resourceful, focused, and steady. Those values transferred directly into my work. I became the person who paid attention, who asked questions, who wanted to understand the “why” behind the work. I didn’t chase titles — I chased growth. And growth came in the form of responsibility, trust, leadership opportunities, and eventually the chance to lead teams and guide entire clinics.
Moving into leadership wasn’t about being perfect; it was about choosing to grow. It meant learning how to mentor others, how to have difficult conversations, how to support people through change, and how to build a culture where teams feel safe, motivated, and proud of the work they do. I quickly learned that leadership is not about being in charge — it’s about being someone people can count on.
As I advanced into multi-site leadership, I realized that the most powerful part of my journey wasn’t the title — it was the people. The teams I’ve trained, the individuals I’ve coached, and the confidence I’ve helped build in others. Those are the moments that matter. Those are the moments that remind me why I chose this field in the first place.
Today, as I pursue my bachelor’s degree later in life, I’m reminded again that it is never too late to invest in yourself. I returned to school not because I needed a degree to prove something — but because I believe in continuing to grow. I believe in showing my children, my teams, and women everywhere that you can evolve at any age, at any stage, in any season of your life.
My path from MA to Area Manager wasn’t linear, and it certainly wasn’t effortless. But it was worth it. And if there is one thing I hope women take from my story, it’s this:
You do not have to start your journey with everything figured out.
You just have to start — and keep going.
Your potential is not determined by where you begin. It’s determined by your willingness to rise.
