How'd you end up here?

I realize that working in healthcare with a non-healthcare background may raise the question, how'd you end up here?

It's an answer of stories I don't really talk about.

For a while, I struggled to explain where, how, and why I fit into healthcare.

I always wanted to go into healthcare, but as a person who has an immense fear of needles, and the worlds weakest stomach, high-school-senior-Gillian-preparing-for-college didn't know how to pursue that purpose to care without having to overcome those fears.

My usual first thought to respond to the question was, I'm a curious problem solver who finds fulfillment in helping and caring for others and healthcare is caring for others.

Today, I attended the session, The Chicago Story: A Collaborative Approach to Fostering Health Equity. After hearing of all the incredible actions being taken by the system of care in Chicago I was reminded of my first experience of the power of healthcare.

Later on in the same day, for the first time, someone asked me why healthcare? how'd you end up here?

I often talk about the many Whys of our lives. After the two moments, I felt inspired to share my healthcare Why Story here with my community, because, besides being the clumsy child, my medical experience is solely from a patient perspective.

The Power of Healthcare

My first introduction to the power of healthcare and community in healthcare was while I was living in Chicago, specifically the summer of 2008.

While seven year old Gilly, her two-year-old sister, and mother were enjoying what we thought was a simple snack time, my sister said two words, two times, that changed our lives forever "my throat, my throat."

She had gone into an allergic reaction.

Before I could even blink, we were out the door. Going the wrong way on one-way streets, and doing everything we could to keep my sister conscious and breathing.

I could describe every detail and image of that day, that feels like only yesterday.

From the moment we arrived in the hospital and my dad ran into the Emergency Department with my sister in his arms I witnessed the power of healthcare as a team rushed around my sister.

As a young child I wasn't able to be in the rooms while the hospital team was working to save my sister's life or talking with my parents.

In the moments I sat outside the room, watching equipment and people running in and out, I felt the urgency of the situation; however, I was constantly greeted and acknowledged by the staff.

As doctors and nurses were running in and out of the room they never failed to remind me she was going to be okay.

I remember staff and nurses talking with me (connecting with the patient), explaining what was happening (educating to reduce fear), and even remember the games they played with me (building a relationship).

At the time I thought they were just nice people. As I got older I realized I was being cared for too.

Despite all that was going on in the system, no one's care was neglected.

The day replays like a movie in my head every so often since that day.

I still feel fear when my sister eats at a restaurant or tries a new food.

What stuck with me the most was the power of care that was present that day.

Later on they told us if we had called and waited for an ambulance she may not have made it.

Witnessing a team that so quickly, yet calmly took action to keep my best friend here on earth with me stuck with me.

That was the first spark in my curiosity to pursue healthcare.

While I could go on and share the other curiosity dominos that fell (like my own positive experiences of being cared for, experiences of a misdiagnosis, the dent cancer made on my family) that made me want to go into healthcare, I realize that it was this day in the summer of 2008 that is my Why behind Why Healthcare.

I want to help people live the beautiful life they were given.

I may not have gone to medical school, but the universe works out in mysterious ways.

I wasn't meant to care directly for others, I was meant to impact how care is delivered... use my unique experiences and curious nature to help both the lives of those saving lives and help the lives of those being saved.

When presented with the opportunity to be apart of the team at WynHouse: An Innovation Firm , for the first time, I saw an opportunity to pursue my curiosity and passion for care; I saw a spot for me in healthcare.

For those who have made it this far in the story, thank you for taking the time to read my story, and learn my why. Thank you for embracing the vulnerability in sharing this story.

Thank you to American College of Healthcare Executives for the experiences to reflect introspectively on our Why and your support of everyone's effort in the care of others.