Her Story
About Mary
Mary C. Pitman is an accomplished registered nurse, consumer advocate, author, publisher, and speaker with more than 45 years of experience in healthcare and public education. Throughout her nursing career, she has served in emergency medicine, post-anesthesia care, flight nursing, long-distance air ambulance transport, travel nursing, and healthcare education, while also instructing EMTs, paramedics, and certification courses. She currently works part-time at an outpatient surgery center in Vero Beach, Florida, where she continues her commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.
Beyond healthcare, Pitman has established herself as a nationally recognized expert on unclaimed property and consumer financial education. After discovering the world of unclaimed funds, she authored The Little Book of Missing Money, helping thousands of individuals locate assets rightfully belonging to them. Her expertise has led to appearances on America's Money Class with Suze Orman, The Dr. Oz Show, Good Morning America, CNNMoney, Fox Business Network, and numerous other national media outlets. As founder of Do the Right Thing Publishing, she has also authored additional books and frequently speaks to organizations about consumer advocacy and financial awareness.
Pitman's career reflects a passion for lifelong learning, service, and empowering others through education. Holding a nursing degree from Palm Beach Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Georgia State University, she successfully combines clinical expertise with strong communication skills. Her volunteer work in Uganda assisting children with cleft palate surgeries further demonstrates her dedication to humanitarian service. Guided by honesty, perseverance, and a genuine passion for helping others, Pitman continues to make a meaningful impact in both healthcare and consumer education.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mary
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having a genuine passion for the work I do. I believe that loving what you do is essential to achieving success because it gives you the motivation and resilience to keep moving forward. Without that passion, work simply becomes going through the motions rather than making a meaningful impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is simple: never give up. Throughout a career in healthcare, there are difficult moments that can lead to burnout, but perseverance allows you to continue growing, serving others, and finding fulfillment in your profession.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering nursing to remember that the profession offers countless opportunities. If one specialty isn't the right fit, don't be afraid to explore another. Nursing is an incredibly diverse career, and finding the area you truly enjoy will allow you to provide the highest quality care while building a rewarding and lasting career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in healthcare is preventing professional burnout, which can cause talented individuals to leave the profession. At the same time, one of the greatest opportunities is fostering positive workplace cultures where healthcare professionals genuinely enjoy what they do. When caregivers are engaged and supportive of one another, patients notice the difference, resulting in better experiences and improved outcomes.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty is the value that guides both my personal and professional life. I also believe in maintaining perspective by approaching challenges with a calm, "go with the flow" mindset rather than becoming overwhelmed by circumstances. This philosophy has helped me remain resilient, adaptable, and focused on providing the best possible care and service to others.
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