Influential Woman · Health care

Desma Parker

Business Office Manager, Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

Richmond, VA

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Currently pursuing Bachelor's degree in Business Management or Healthcare Administration at University of Maryland Global College Member Women's Empowerment

Her Story

About Desma

I have been in the healthcare field for over 25 years, working as a Business Office Manager for a school of nursing facilities and nursing homes in Richmond, Virginia. Before entering healthcare, I worked for an insurance company called NYL Care in Maryland. My transition into healthcare happened when I got pregnant with my daughter and my OBGYN's office manager offered me a position after they delivered my daughter. I worked in that OBGYN office for about 3 years before starting in the nursing home field, where I've remained ever since. In my current role, my typical day involves completing census from the day before meeting with families, residents, guardians/ POA. I've also worked as a Regional business office,

over seeing 13 facilities in Maryland and Virginia.

Currently, I’m attending college

to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Healthcare Administration.

I’m the owner of a consulting business that I enjoy and love.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Desma

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my mom, who is my biggest cheerleader, and to my grandmother, who played a big part in my life. My mom has been there supporting me throughout my journey, and my grandmother, who passed away 4 years ago, was also a major influence in my life. She taught me so much, including my love for baking, which I picked up from her. These two women have been my foundation, my rock and continue to inspire me in everything I do.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I ever received was from my administrator that I used to work with. She said it's a big world and it's full of opportunities, so don't settle.

The biggest room out here in growth and improvement. She encouraged me to continue to get the knowledge and to grow as much as I can. That advice has stuck with me and continues to guide my career decisions.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advise to young women entering my industry is to always carry yourself with respect and others will respect you. I always tell my daughter to walk in confidence and hold her head high matter where she is or what situation she’s in.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest opportunity in my field right now is growth. As for challenges, I would say it's about just going out there and doing it without hesitation or fear. Sometimes when other people say you can do something, you may doubt yourself and think, well, I don't know. Even though I know that I can do it, sometimes I'll be like, well, what if I don't be able to do it? That doubt is always in the back of my mind sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes. So the challenge for me is overcoming that self-doubt and not being my own worst enemy.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values that are most important to me in my work are loyalty, caring, being respectful of others, and treating others the way that I would want to be treated. Especially since I'm in the nursing home field, I treat the residents and their families as if they were my own. One of my family members was in a nursing home before she passed away, and that was my grandmother, so I always treat people the way that I would want to be treated and the way that I would want them to treat my loved one. This golden rule guides everything I do in my work and personal life.

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