Staff Stories

Catherine, X-ray Technician

Imaging Center, Pinehurst Surgical

When I was about twenty, I knew my dad was going to need a hip replacement and I wanted to help him with his recovery. At first, I thought I would become a physical therapist but radiology turned out to be a better fit for me. I came to work at Pinehurst Surgical after talking to Drs. Albrecht and Atkinson, our vascular surgeons at Pinehurst Surgical, and finding out about all of the new procedures they would soon be offering patients. I think what I appreciate the most about working at Pinehurst Surgical is that I have managers who believe in me and encourage me; they trust my judgment and they listen to my cares and concerns. I have been given the freedom and independence to give my input on setting up protocols and procedures and in performing quality improvements. There is a great positive working environment and the facilities are beautiful and state of the art. I really enjoy rotating between different departments; I get the diversity of the jobs and I get to interact with great fellow employees.

Meet Maritza, Business Office Associate

First Floor Check-In, Pinehurst Surgical

What brings me satisfaction is helping people. I am probably different from a lot of people my age, since I am not into a party lifestyle and I enjoy visiting nursing homes. In my work, I see a lot of opportunities to help patients and show compassion. I have been with Pinehurst Surgical for ten years and at this point I feel like the people I work with are almost like my family; maybe it is because my family is far away. I spent my childhood in Hoboken, New Jersey and in Puerto Rico. All of my family is in Puerto Rico.

I have always loved working with the public. My first exposure to working with people was when I worked in a bank for five years. I always knew I would work in a medical facility in some capacity; I once considered becoming a nurse. Instead, I attended Sandhills Community College in the Medical Office Applied Science program. Once I finished school, I worked at a hospital for nine years doing pre-admissions and registering patients for the emergency room. I was familiar with the Women’s Care Clinic at Pinehurst Surgical and I had heard that they were interested in hiring someone bi-lingual, so I applied.

Working in the Business Office allows me to stay so busy doing what I love. I have been offered other positions in the clinic, but this is my calling. Some of our patients are in pain or they have just received bad news and they reflect their feelings in different ways. I see many opportunities to help patients by showing compassion and by listening. I can see them soften. Through care and love, people change.

Meet Ovidean, Department Manager

Urological Surgery, Pinehurst Surgical

I moved here with my husband, because he was in the military and I needed to find a job. I kept hearing that Pinehurst Surgical was the place to work, so I applied for a job. I remember that when they called me for an interview, I was so excited that I forgot the name of the department where I would be interviewing! The interview process was arduous; I interviewed with Human Resources, the department manager, and the doctors. I worked in the Urology Department’s Business Office for about three years when Dr. Stanfield asked me if I would be interested in becoming his secretary. I was Dr. Stanfield’s secretary for over six years and I learned a lot. When I came to work for Pinehurst Surgical, my goal was to one day become a manager. Dr. Stanfield knew I wanted to move up, so he worked to help me understand coding and he taught me the business side of practicing medicine. He regularly sat me down and showed me reports; he was good about explaining the processes and explaining why each step was necessary. When the Chief Operations Officer learned that I wanted to become a manager, she suggested that I first take a position as a lead in my department so that I could experience some aspects of management without taking the full responsibility all at once. This was a good approach. I don’t think I have ever been as excited as when I was promoted! I have been a manager for exactly one year. What I like the most about it is that every day is so different - every day it is a new challenge!