Every one of us has a “why” behind our service — and this week you’ll get to hear a few of those stories, in our colleagues' own words! Meet Liz Stafford, Registered Nurse at Cox North Adult Psychiatry: "I have always been passionate about mental health. After earning my psychology degree, I started my career as a caseworker immediately after college. Though I valued the time spent with clients, achieving a healthy work-life balance became challenging with a growing family. I chose to take a break to care for my youngest son. "Upon returning as a preschool teacher’s assistant, I felt incomplete. This prompted me to consider a nursing career — a path I had intermittently contemplated over the years. As a nurse, I continue to pursue my mission of helping individuals feel valued and understood. From the beginning, my interest in mental health nursing has felt natural. "I hope to reduce mental health stigma and foster education that helps communities view mental health as valid and treatable, rather than as a personal defect. Ultimately, I want to continue educating and advocating for mental health to be treated with the same urgency and compassion as physical health — especially in a leadership role as I continue my education." (fb)

Every one of us has a “why” behind our service — and this week you’ll get to hear a few of those stories, in our colleagues' own words! Meet Jeri Bacon, Radiology Technologist at CoxHealth Bone and Joint Center: "This month marks a significant milestone for me, as I celebrate 30 years working as an X-ray technician. Looking back, I can clearly see how my long-standing commitment to the health care field, driven by a fundamental desire to help people, shaped my path. "My journey into health care began shortly after high school when I served as a medic in the Army Reserves. Following that experience, I pursued formal training and completed medical assistant school. However, I knew I wanted to further my education and specialize. This led me to apply to radiology school, which I began in 1993 and proudly graduated from in May 1995. This educational progression allowed me to focus on my chosen field of diagnostic imaging. "Throughout these three decades, I have had the privilege of working alongside many amazing colleagues, and I deeply value those professional relationships. Ultimately, the greatest source of my professional fulfillment has come from providing a needed service to our community. It has always been important to me to deliver that care not just effectively, but with genuine compassion and a positive approach. "Reflecting on my career, I feel fortunate to have found such dedication, continuous learning opportunities, and a deep sense of purpose within the allied health professions. (fb)