A Childhood Dream Shining Through Everyday Work
We ask kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Most say superhero, rockstar, firefighter or doctor. Tyler Chramosta would say "teacher." Although Chramosta is not a teacher today, he finds passion for teaching others through his job as a Pharmacy Supervisor. Chramosta loves working with his pharmacy students. He embraces the opportunity to help them grow both personally and professionally. Chramosta says, “Each day I am given the opportunity to gain rapport with my fellow staff members and feel as though I have made a positive impact in our ever so busy work environment.”
Chramosta was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Team Member Award at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission. During his 4 years at AdventHealth, his favorite day at work was when he led a discussion about sepsis with local physicians. On that day he realized the type of pharmacist he had the potential to be. Growing up, Chramosta found inspiration from his dad as he taught him the value of hard work and empathy.
A Mother Inspired to Make a Difference Turns to Nursing
Sarah Almoney grew up playing competitive sports, eventually becoming a certified official for volleyball, basketball, soccer and baseball. Despite her leadership on the field and court, Almoney never thought of herself as a leader until she became Director of the Cardiac Care Unit in 2022, a turning point in her life. This position offered her what she needed, the opportunity to make a difference and have a positive impact on a patient's life. Almoney was named AdventHealth Shawnee Mission 2023 Leader of the Year, which she says was one of the best days of her career.
Almoney was inspired to work in health care when her youngest child was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, and she wanted the knowledge and foundation to best care for him. She found not only that, but an extended family within the CCU that encourages her to give her best at home and at work. “My team’s trust, faith and hope in me inspire me to try and live up to what they deserve,” says Almoney. “I know I’ll fall short, but it motivates me not to give up.”
Congratulations to AdventHealth Shawnee Mission 2023 Leader of the Year, Sarah Almoney!
Act of Curiosity Inspires One Into Health Care
Cheryl Uldrich, Clinical Coordinator Advisor for the Behavioral Health team, credits her persistent curiosity for her journey towards health care. That curiosity has allowed her to get past surface level circumstances and behaviors to see what is happening in someone's heart and mind.
Earlier this year, Uldrich was honored with the Mission Award at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission for advancing our mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. In her four years at AdventHealth, she has most enjoyed her time working with patients in the Intensive Outpatient Program. In the group therapy setting, she witnesses the love and encouragement group members pour out in response to the vulnerability that others share and she is inspired by their support for each other.
MA Inspired to Care for Others After Daughter's Health Journey
Gabrielle Newman never thought about having a career in health care until her newly born daughter spent the first three months of her life in a hospital. Her daughter was born with a rare birth defect requiring several surgeries. Newman shared, “The nurses at the hospital helped save my daughter’s life. I knew I wanted to be that person who could help others in a way that mattered, just like they did for my family and me.”
Newman did just that by going into health care and getting her CNA credentials while working at an assisted living facility, then joined AdventHealth as a Medical Assistant in the General Surgery office. She treats all patients as if they were family, and that is something she has strived for. Newman shared, “One of my patients in the assisted living facility told me that I had a smile that could melt a frozen heart and that I had enough love to fill the whole country. He encouraged me never to let anyone tell me differently and to keep climbing in the world because I would do great things... I have stuck with that for the last 10 years”.
Her patients describe her as a compassionate, understanding and caring person, which led to her being named a 2022 Outstanding Team Member, which she described as the best day of her career.
Friendship, Compassion and Drive
Brenda Lewallen attended a church retreat at a young age when a dear camp friend got sick, and she took it upon herself to care for her friend. During that time Brenda realized she had a calling for health care after her friend commented that she would be a great caregiver. Since then, Brenda has dedicated herself to caring for others in both health care and her personal life. Her passion and drive are what led her to be nominated as a 2022 Outstanding Team Member.
Brenda joined AdventHealth Shawnee Mission over 30 years ago as a nurse assistant in Med-Surg then transitioned to the ACC unit 12 years ago. She looks back on one specific day at AdventHealth and says it was a turning point and the best day at work. She was assisting an elderly man whose family shared he did not speak. However, with compassion and care from Brenda, he squeezed her hand one day and thanked her for taking such great care of him. Brenda shares, “It’s a true blessing doing what I do, I imagine myself doing the same thing 5 years from now.”
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