Her Story
About Victoria
I've spent 6 years in healthcare, with the past 2 years working as a team lead at OneBlood, a nonprofit blood banking organization. In this position, I obtained my CDL license through the company and now drive the mobile blood donation bus while managing my team and ensuring we have all critical supplies and paperwork needed for donors. Healthcare wasn't necessarily something I set out to do, but it's something that comes naturally to me - especially bedside manner and handling patients' needs in high-stress situations. As a team lead, I'm passionate about creating a positive, cohesive work environment where my team feels encouraged and supported. I want people to see me as an equal they can talk to, not just someone making a little more money to boss them around. I'm currently pursuing my next chapter by attending school full-time for respiratory therapy, with an expected graduation date of next September. While I love OneBlood and am grateful for how they've helped me grow, the physical demands of phlebotomy can lead to burnout, so I'm transitioning to a more sustainable long-term career path.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Victoria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would definitely say my mom has been the biggest influence on my success. My parents split when I was really young, and my mom owned and ran a company by herself all through my middle school and high school years while raising me and my two siblings. I got to witness firsthand what a hard worker she is and how she kept her company running - it's even more successful now as an adult. Seeing my mom just be a badass made me think, okay, I can do this too. I don't need a man to be successful. Beyond that, I'd say my personality plays a role - I'm more of a Type A personality, very organized, and I like to do things by the book. My supervisors at OneBlood have also been really helpful in supporting me and moving things around when I need it.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Honestly, don't take the work home with you, because it can be very emotionally draining. You can get kind of bummed out when you feel like you're not doing as well, especially because there's a lot of moving parts in this work. I think it's easy to get stuck when you feel like things aren't going your way, but you kind of just have to keep moving and not get stuck on one thing. Don't take it home with you - that's the key to avoiding burnout in healthcare.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I definitely know that the need for blood donations has always been an issue, but right now it's a particularly high need. During certain times of the year, like when snowbirds go back home, there aren't as many people donating, which creates challenges for blood supply. On a more internal level, retention at the company is a real struggle. It's hard to keep people long-term - we see a lot of people come and go, which makes it difficult to maintain consistency and build strong teams.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Florida
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.