Her Story
About Lori
I became a registered nurse in 1985 after graduating as salutatorian from the University of Indianapolis. I actually got into nursing after taking an aptitude test that said I should be a park ranger, a teacher, or a nurse - I chose nursing and never looked back. My first home health position was in 1992, and I've been in home health pretty consistently since 2008. My career has taken me from Florida to Texas and back to Florida. I started as a home health aide supervisor with 12 aides for 200 patients, then moved into quality assurance, which sparked my passion for QAPI activities and data analysis. I even went to school for risk management to round out my nursing degree, though I discovered that path wasn't for me after a difficult experience at a skilled nursing facility. My real growth happened at AccentCare, where I spent about 7 and a half years. I started as a clinical supervisor when our census was around 250-300 patients, and by the time I left in 2019 as Executive Director, we had grown to well over 1,200 patients. I owe my whole career to that company because I stayed, grew, and learned so much. After moving to Florida around COVID and spending a year in a hotel, I worked at Vital Caring and a startup before joining LHC Group over a year ago, which has since been bought out by Optum. My superpower is keeping a sense of humor and maintaining a team atmosphere. I pride myself on being loyal, dedicated, and being an advocate for my team, going to bat for them because that's my job. I handle everything from daily stand-up and stand-down meetings with my account executives and scheduler to all clinical manager duties, reports, workflow, charting, and team conferences. I'm what one of my therapists called a 'Chaos Coordinator,' and I wear that badge proudly.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lori
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have to say, it's both my own grit and my husband's unwavering support. He tells me every day, 'You're a great executive director. You're a beautiful person,' and he gives me positive affirmations all the time. I wouldn't be half the person or leader or woman I am without his support. And my mom has been a good mentor for me, too. The most important thing in the world to me is my husband, and our bond has been strong for 33 years. I would do anything for him, and he would do anything for me - we are a team. More than any other team I've been on, he's my team member.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
There are two things I'd say. One is know your worth. I think that's something everyone should tell themselves and be abreast of. And two is, if you're upset - and I'm very passionate and have a temper at times - one of my mentors told me, if you feel the blood going and you're feeling angry, count to 10. I said, 'Oh my gosh, I thought it was 3!' She said, yes, count to 10 before you respond. That is probably one of the best advice I've had, because I am passionate, and it comes out wrong sometimes, so I don't like that I have to temper that, but I do. So I know that about myself, so I know the advice was good. Count to 10, not 3, 10.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say you're in it to serve. Don't think you're gonna be the one being served, because that's not the way it goes. And it doesn't matter if you're a leader or a worker bee, this is a service industry. And I would say, if you're not in it to serve, you're in the wrong profession.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say staff shortages, obviously, is a big challenge. Retention is another major issue that makes it challenging for everyone in home health right now.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important thing in the world to me is my husband. Our bond has been strong for 33 years, and I would do anything for him, and he would do anything for me - we are a team. More than any other team I've been on, he's my team member. Professionally, it's my legacy. I did not have children - I had one, but he was premature and did not make it. So I consider my work as what I'm leaving the world, and that's why I care so much about it. My why has changed over the years. I started off a brand new grad thinking I'm gonna be able to change the world. And then, now, years later, I think, oh my gosh, how I've changed because of the people and teams and the trials and tribulations that I've encountered. Success isn't a straight line, it's a curvy up and downy path. I've had ups and downs, but it's always, always curved back up.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.