Allison Lee

I attribute my success to my family, especially my late parents, who had a very significant impact on my upbringing. The people I serve and the lives I've touched bring me the most fulfillment. I don't have a wall of academic achievements, but I think it's the personal touch that I give to every person every day that has brought me to where I am. My close friends, who are mostly nurses or in healthcare, have also played an important role in supporting me throughout my career.

As nurses, we are taught to do good and to treat others just like we want to be treated. I've been a nurse forever, and young nurses ask me how I'm still so patient and how I interact with patients the way I do. I tell them it's because I love what I do. People are sick and they're already not in a good position, so my job is to make them feel better, not just by medicating them, but by interacting with them, talking to them, and treating them with care and compassion.

Whatever you do, do it with your heart. No matter how hard it is, if you deal with faith and heart, it will get you far. Following your heart and staying true to yourself is the most important thing you can do in this profession.

The biggest challenge I face is education. For example, with patients I see for weight loss, it's getting them to see my vision and understand the difference between a synthetic medication versus natural supplements. They both work similarly and will help in the long run, but one is more sustainable. The majority of people want the quick fix and don't want to do their part. They want the easy way out rather than putting in the work. So educating patients and getting them to understand the long-term benefits of a more natural, holistic approach is my biggest challenge right now.