Her Story
About Bridgette
I started my healthcare journey in 11th grade at a technical high school where I graduated with my CNA. I always thought being in the nursing field was for me because I love to help patients and take care of them, but I didn't realize that in the information technology side, you could also do that without always being bedside. After graduation, I was a CNA, then joined the military after deciding college wasn't for me. I worked at Geisinger initially but had some bumps with a manager, so I left and worked as a post office city carrier and a bunch of other jobs. Eventually, I made my way back to Geisinger as an administrative secretary for the Health Information Technology Department, and that's where I found my love for MyChart and Epic CareLink. I've been promoted three times in the last three years and am always willing to learn new things. My main area of expertise is MyChart and Epic CareLink, where I maintain the system and handle build requests. Right now I'm working on new projects that assist patients with hypertension so they can log their blood pressure and providers can review it to ensure patient care is continuing. I work remotely building new items within the MyChart system that patients can use.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Bridgette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to my family, my drive to be the best, and my kids who inspire me. Taking every mistake and not looking at it as a failure, but learning from them, has been crucial to my journey. I've been promoted three times in the last three years, which I think goes to show what type of worker I am and that I'm always willing to learn new things. I have a ton of Epic certifications and am always continuing my education. Having a leader believe in me was one of the best things. If it wasn't for him, I probably would have never got this job and would continue to be looking.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received came from my old boss, who was truly an inspiration and someone I still work with and look up to. He told me not to let my failures define me. Having a leader believe in me was one of the best things that ever happened in my career. If it wasn't for him, I probably would have never got this job and would continue to be looking. He was a true mentor to me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice that I would give to young women entering this field is to never stop trying and never stop learning. Especially if you make a mistake, take that as a lesson learned, not a mistake. Being in a male-dominant field, you have to go above and beyond and prove yourself and your work ethic. But don't let that discourage you. Keep pushing forward and believe in yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Generally, an information technology position is hard to come by anymore, I feel. Being in a male-dominant field, you have to go above and beyond and prove yourself and your work ethic. On the opportunity side, I think AI used in the correct way is helping things and making things easier. That is a major push that we're seeing. For example, with provider documentation, as long as they keep going through and looking at it, AI can minimize a lot of time so providers can spend more time with patient care and facing patients. As long as it's used in the correct way and not misused, it presents real opportunities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, I feel the basic thing I was taught growing up is most important: treat people the way you always want to be treated, and that's how you'll be remembered. Give respect. There are always hard things in life, but you'll always overcome them. These values guide how I interact with others and approach challenges in every aspect of my life.
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