Transformation of Healthcare by Riley

Transformation of Healthcare by Riley - December 2015 Scholarship Essay

The process of choosing a major that I felt most "at home" with has lasted almost five years now. A transition from a zoology major to a psychology major just wasn't quite fitting for me in terms of patience or interest. After two college transfers and countless credit evaluations later, I found myself at home at Bellevue College with a Bachelors Degree I had yet to find anywhere else. This was an opportunity where I could see myself shine by assisting others and improving the lives of others, even if it may just be through customer service.
Fall quarter has been my very first quarter with an emphasis and a fire in my belly for pursuing a major. I have had difficulty throughout college figuring out who I am and what I can contribute to the work force later on in a field. The classes I am involved in make me feel involved and very important because of the relatively small classes of about 15 students. Learning the ethics and laws behind healthcare and what it takes to run a healthcare setting is very stimulating for my mind. I have decided on healthcare management as my career choice because I want to be able to interact with patients and individuals first hand and be the face of the clinic when people first walk in. I want to be able to make a change in people's lives and make their health visit as smooth and simple as possible.
I have decided that my ultimate goal for my degree 10 years down the road would be to manage and oversee a Woman's Health Clinic or department in the hospital setting. I remember going in for my first ultrasound to look at an unidentifiable cyst on my chest, and I was amazed by the atmosphere of the office. I was amazed by the staff coordination and the front desk help when I had questions regarding my visit. I felt empowered by the women helping me throughout the day and reassuring me throughout the process of my check up.
If I could manage this type of setting and help create a staff that could make the atmosphere of my clinic feel safe, reassuring, and comforting to the patient then I could go home every night extremely pleased. The thing I'm most excited about ten years down the road, is the fact my job will never actually feel like work to me. One of my favorite traits about myself is being able to empathize and listen to people. I know when the time comes and I find that niche in the field that I will continue to work with people and help find ways to make insurance coverage a breeze for individuals. I know firsthand how difficult it may be to find ways to pay for medical bills, and when I manage an office in the future I will hire the best of the best individuals to help find ways to make payments by patients much smoother and easier for them. As I've learned in my medical law and ethics course, there are times many people will find ways to file complaints against doctors because of the ever changing healthcare plans and strategies. I want to make sure when I run an office that my staff is able to handle situations and adapt to the ever changing healthcare system. Helping patients with medical plans and best forms of payment will help to alleviate the common stresses associated with visits. I want to be able to make every patient who walks through my door to feel like they have the best form of care in the region.
I know my schooling at Bellevue College will help me to learn the current and past healthcare systems so that in the future I can implement the best woman's clinic in the northwest. I know my skills will take me far in this field because it doesn't feel like a job to me to help people and to work with others to create a safe environment for everyone who walks thru my doors.