Her Story
About Beth
Beth Stephenson serves as a Senior Orthopedic Cathotech with more than 25 years of experience in the field of orthopaedics. Her career began as an athletic trainer at the University of South Alabama, where she later became head trainer, before transitioning into orthopedic casting roles in Mobile, Alabama, and later in Nashville. She pursued her passion at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, where she specialized in complex casting procedures in the operating room and clinic, trained residents, and assisted across emergency, floor, and adult services. Beth earned her undergraduate degree in health and physical education and recreation from the University of South Alabama and completed a master's in exercise physiology through a graduate assistantship. She recently resigned from a clinic position and is pursuing opportunities at Children's Hospital in Birmingham while based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Beth credits her professional success to her determination and dedication to lifelong learning, including ongoing research into new casting products and techniques to enhance care for her patients and clinic.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Beth
01What do you attribute your success to?
Probably my determination, and I never stop learning. Every chance I had, spare chance I had, at Vanderbilt, I was on my phone or iPad and researching new products for casting, or new products for the doctors, or to try to get them through a committee, for them. I'm constantly researching something to make my craft better, and what I can give to the clinic better. I just never stop.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I've never received any career advice at all. If this is something you want to get into, the orthopedics, I've worked with children and adults. If it's something you love, get into it, get maybe an internship or something, and see if you like it, and get certified. There are different certifications you could get into. I would advise that for sure. You have to have a passion for this.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If it's something you want to do, I would educate myself to the best possible way, try to get in and work with some orthopedic doctors, see if you like it. If you don't, then get out. But if you do, and you have a passion, then I would stick with it. It's made my career that I've loved, and I love going to work every day.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
You really, really have to watch out when you go to apply for a job. You have to make sure that that's what you're going to do, and they're not going to put you in a thousand other roles just to satisfy their lacking where people so many people quit. The clinic I just left was not what the job description said it was.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family. Treat everybody very, very well. I do things for people constantly. Love helping people with anything that might need help. My integrity is extremely important to me. How people value me is what is important to me. I hope I'm a giving, loving person that would do anything for anybody.
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