Get to Know our Staff: Brittany Varner, Inpatient Nursing Unit

Get to Know our Staff: Brittany Varner, Inpatient Nursing Unit

by | Sep 17, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am an inpatient nurse. As an inpatient nurse, I get to provide care to our pediatric patient population.
 
What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
I get to see the progress our kids make while they are here with us. Being a part of their care journey is so rewarding.
 
What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
The kids we treat and the amazing people I get to work with in the Inpatient Unit make Scottish Rite special. I could not imagine working anywhere else but Scottish Rite.
 
What made you choose a career in health care?
I love helping others because it brings joy to my heart.
 
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my two kids, 11-year-old Michael and 6-year-old Makenna, as well as my boyfriend Kacy.
 
Do you have any hidden talents?
When I’m not working or at a sports game for my kids, I love to party plan.
 
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Midlothian, TX.
 
If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
It would have to be Mexican food. You can never go wrong with some chips and queso!
 
What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
Remember The Titans
 
What was the first concert you attended?
When I was 16-years-old, I saw Fall Out Boy live.
 
If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
It would be Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. Everyone knows that I am such a girly girl, and I love everything pink.
 
What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
The best piece of advice is that things you never thought you would go through will only take you places you never though you would get to.

Get to Know our Staff: Juliane Gresens, Registered Nurse

Get to Know our Staff: Juliane Gresens, Registered Nurse

by | Aug 28, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
I am the charge nurse for pre-op and the post anesthesia care unit in the surgery department.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
I start the day by getting the kids ready for surgery, making sure we have adequate staffing, and the needs are met for patients, families and our team. I am also responsible for the patients heading to recovery and discharge. I function as a resource for everyone mentioned above, to keep things running as smoothly as possible.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite?
My first job was a messenger for a law firm in Rochester, NY. Coming to Scottish Rite for Children was meant to be for me. I made a joking challenge with my daughter that I could get a job here if I wanted it (we were on the website and talking about how she wanted to work here someday.) So, I filled out the application and was granted an interview for a PACU position. The director at the time offered me a job the very same day! One of the best career decisions I have ever made!

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I love my patients and their families as well as the members of our team.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
It is a perfect fit for me. I get to take care of patients and my work friends when needed. I am a nurturing type of person so it’s perfect! 

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
Israel. We went last year, and it was so fascinating to walk the streets of places I have only heard about!

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I like to run and have successfully completed a few marathons. I also love to watch anything where someone I personally know is playing, and I love to watch the Olympic Games.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
I’m pretty happy right where I am!

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I have six grandchildren and I am the fun grandparent (we try not to get into too much trouble with their parents!)

Get to Know our Staff: Roy Ortiz, Communications

Get to Know our Staff: Roy Ortiz, Communications

by | Aug 19, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
I am a graphic designer and photographer in the Communications department.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
I collaborate with various Scottish Rite departments to bring their great ideas to life through fun visual pieces, whether it is done through graphic design or photography.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite?
I cannot recall my first job, but I devoted many years to serving my local church. It was there that my creative skills were honed, which eventually led to awesome career opportunities.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I enjoy the fact that I get to use my creativity to help provide a memorable experience for Scottish Rite’s patients and staff.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
I often collaborate with multiple departments simultaneously to complete projects.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
The most interesting place I’ve been so far is the country of Panama.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Since I was a child, my favorite sport to watch has been boxing.

What’s your favorite vacation memory?​
The most interesting place I have visited is Isla Mujeres, Mexico. It is a small island near Cancun. My wife and I went there for our honeymoon earlier this month. It was my first time visiting a coastal area of Mexico. I enjoyed the culture there, and it was interesting to learn about the diversity of cultures across different regions in Mexico.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy finding humor in everything – when appropriate!

Get to Know our Staff: Maria Janeth Zayas, Radiology

Get to Know our Staff: Maria Janeth Zayas, Radiology

by | Aug 14, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
I am a radiology scheduling specialist. I assist patients with scheduling appointments and follow-up appointments, while coordinating with the schedules of nurses, radiologists and technicians.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
I work with various departments to accommodate patients needing ultrasound tests, MRIs or guided injections. I also coordinate follow-up visits between patients and our physicians.

My primary focus is delivering the best customer service in outpatient radiology care, collaborating closely with our team of doctors, therapists and radiology technicians. Top of FormBottom of Form

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite?
My first job was at a souvenir shop in a hotel in my home country, El Salvador. Since then, I have worked multiple jobs in the retail industry and will always remember that feeling of becoming financially independent. However, working in a hospital setting was always a passion of mine. After years of working at a bank, I decided to follow my dream and became a cash finance officer at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2015.

When my husband’s job brought us to Dallas, I worked as a patient access specialist for Baylor Scott & White. I was thrilled to continue my passion of working in a hospital, because I was able to help children and adults alike with their medical needs. I often passed by Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center and dreamed of working there someday. In June 2022, I was officially hired! It still is an honor to work for such a special place.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I am very lucky to be a part of the Radiology team. I value and enjoy working with my coworkers, and I learn something new from them every day. I also love the work atmosphere and the people I work with. I identify with Scottish Rite’s core values of virtue and integrity. It is truly a great place to work.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes in scheduling and rescheduling, especially with same-day appointments. This can be challenging if there are no openings.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
Hawaii. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would travel Hawaii, but I did!

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I love to watch soccer and tennis.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
I would go back to the 80s. I was a teenager and love the music, culture and vibe that came from growing up in the 80s. It was a magical decade indeed.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
Back in my prime, I was a singer and flamenco dancer. I even performed at a famous restaurant in Miami and at a nightclub in Orlando.

Get to Know our Staff: Rolan Roundtree, Security

Get to Know our Staff: Rolan Roundtree, Security

by | Aug 6, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
My role is security officer, and I ensure the safety of patients, patient families, staff and visitors through vigilant monitoring, effective response to incidents and strict adherence to security protocols.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
As a security officer at Scottish Rite for Children, I am responsible for monitoring the Evolv System, ensuring the safety and security of the hospital environment and preventing the entry of weapons. I manage the check-in process for patient appointments and contribute to an efficient and welcoming patient experience. In addition, I fulfill the role of the main entrance greeter, where I provide initial assistance and direction to visitors. This affirms a positive and supportive hospital atmosphere.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite?
I offered lawn mowing and vehicle cleaning services for my first job. My journey to Scottish Rite was a blend of coincidence and personal connections. During a lunch visit with my godmother, Melody Fletcher, I met the director of security Carlton Stewart. He mentioned an opening in the Security team, steering me towards this unexpected opportunity. It’s a testament to how sometimes, the right path finds you at the most unexpected moment.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
What I find most rewarding at Scottish Rite is witnessing the remarkable progress our patients make following their surgeries.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
An aspect of my role that may not be widely known is that I occasionally assist in making patients feel comfortable and at ease before their appointments.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
Hawaii.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
My favorite sports are basketball and football. I am a Green Bay Packers fan!

My favorite video games include “Call of Duty”, “Tekken” and “Fortnite”. 

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
If given the chance to travel back in time, I would choose to return to 2019 to cherish additional moments with my father before his passing.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
One interesting fact about me is that I can play the piano despite not knowing how to read music.

Get to Know our Staff: Wanda Moss, Environmental Services

Get to Know our Staff: Wanda Moss, Environmental Services

by | Aug 2, 2024 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
My role is an Environmental Services assistant.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
Making other people happy while doing my work to clean offices and other hospital areas.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite?
My first job was at a Dairy Queen serving customers. When I came to Scottish Rite, I was working at a hotel. I had been praying for a job I liked better, and this opportunity came up to answer my prayers. I’ve been here 18 years. I’ve loved my time and looking forward to hitting 20 years soon!

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
The children – seeing them and talking to them makes you feel so good. If the kids can handle and get through what they are going through, I know I can, too. And I love making other people happy. I really do think a smile can go a long way.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
I think people don’t know about how connected I am to the people who use and work in the spaces I take care of each day. Making sure offices and spaces are tidy and well-maintained helps everyone do a better job, and I’m very proud of that.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
It’s maybe not the most interesting but it is my favorite place to visit – it’s my church. I love Sunday School, and just like I love to connect with people here at Scottish Rite, I really enjoy connecting with my church family.  

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I like watching tennis and basketball. I like football, too, but mainly when my team wins. I also like watching wrestling.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
I don’t want to go back in time. I like being in the present and looking forward to the future and being happy.

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I love shoes and jewelry! And I love to shop.