Harriett (Marietta) Bashinzi

I've been in healthcare for about 12 years, and my journey started in a very personal way. I began taking care of my grandma, and through that experience, I developed a deep passion for helping elderly people. For the past 5 years, I've been working professionally as a nurse assistant in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Before focusing on direct patient care, I spent time in customer service roles, including working with insurance companies and Bank of America, where I helped customers open and process claims. I also do seasonal customer service work with Omaha Steaks from before Christmas through March each year. I earned my associate degree in business administration back in Africa, and I've continued my education here with certifications in home administration and CNA2 home health care. I'm currently working on getting my life and health insurance license renewed. A few years ago, I followed my dream and opened my own business, Seniors and Care, a non-skilled home care agency that sent caregivers to help elderly patients who were discharged from hospitals and needed support at home. I ran that business for 3 years, but unfortunately had to close it in February because it was so hard to find clients. My ultimate goal is to open a residential care home where I can personally care for elderly or disabled people, living with them and providing the compassionate, family-like care they deserve.