Her Story
About Sama
I started my healthcare journey right after high school as a certified nursing assistant, working in an adult family home. I explored the pharmacy world as a pharmacy technician, but I found that I have a love for working directly with people, so I went back to being a CNA. After that, I discovered my passion for the combination of basically taking care of people, but also operations, so I went into healthcare management. I took a couple of healthcare management roles and then did my administrator in training, and became an administrator for nursing homes. I get to combine my love for taking care of people with the operations and financials. Along the way, I completed my bachelor's in business and then my Master's in Business Administration with a focus in Health Services. Currently, I'm in the middle of doing my Master's in Accounting, which is for a long-term goal - I would love to be a financial analyst-type job for a nursing home, same industry, but looking over more of the financial aspect and operations. I'm passionate about this work because I've always been kind of a caretaker, and I get to combine that with the operations and financial side, which I also have a passion for. I'm doing this at a young age - there's not a lot of administrators on the younger side, so I feel good about that.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sama
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've always been very self-motivated ever since I can remember. I grew up in a very oppressive household towards women because of the culture, and that passion - because I knew it was not logical, it didn't make any sense to me - that's what made me passionate to push through. I think it's who I am as well. I'm very stubborn, and I want to go places and see things. When I say justice, like, if I see wrong, I have a hard time not speaking up. That came along on the journey. And then, 11 years ago, I met my husband, and he's been that push as well. So it's multiple factors, but I would say, out of all those, it's my self-determination, but also having the support of an incredible partner.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think learning how to overcome the anxiety and getting out of your comfort zone, I think that is the game changer. I think as soon as you can master that, and putting yourself more and more in uncomfortable situations, and knowing it's not - you don't have to have all the answers, but you'll figure it out, you know, figure it out along the way. I think it would be the best thing.
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