Q: What is your role at TKA? Describe what you do day-to-day
A: My main responsibility is to oversee and support our technicians, as well as perform maintenance on all equipment. I work with hospital management to make sure their needs are met. My average day starts with briefings at team meetings, where we always spend 5 minutes stretching to keep our backs and bodies loose. I manage shipments, repairs, and preventive maintenance in addition to handling the emergency repair needs for our clients. Every day is different!
Q: How long have you been with TKA and why did you choose this profession?
A: I’ve been doing this for 13 years. I previously worked in banking and decided I wanted a change. I love tinkering with equipment, so I went to school and got my AS in electronics. I first worked for a manufacturer of radiation test equipment, then I switched to Biomed when I wanted more of a challenge — more equipment and more people to work with. I like fixing equipment and I get satisfaction from getting it up and running. I really enjoy helping make sure others can do their job.
Q: What are 3 words to describe you?
A: As a professional, I’m conscientious, ambitious, and flexible.
Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: The best part of my job is the satisfaction of knowing I was responsible for getting something fixed. I did it, and I can get it back to the customer so they can do their job and take care of patients. That’s the whole goal, to take care of the patients — so the patient heals faster and has a better experience. In the long run, it’s all about helping patients.
Q: What has been your proudest moment working at TKA or in your career?
A: Years ago, a central station on a hospital floor crashed on a weekend. I went in and the vendor was called. The hard drive had failed. But because it was the weekend, the vendor said, “Sorry, it will be down until we can order it Monday.” I didn’t accept that! I was resourceful, found the exact hard drive needed, and put it in so we could get it back up and running with minimal downtime.
Q: What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
A: My biggest motivator is the personal satisfaction I get from doing my job and knowing I’m doing something to help others. I also love the challenge of something new every day! In my job, it’s really something new every day — a new issue, a new problem, a new challenge, new equipment. My job is never boring!
Q: What is something that most people don’t know about you?
A: I danced in The Nutcracker ballet for Solano County for several years. I was Mother Ginger, a soldier and a Parent. I also danced the “Waltz of the Flowers,” and “Snow”. I’ve been dancing since I was 8 years old. I am also a decedent of Corporal Domingo Alviso, who was in the De Anza Expedition lead by Juan Bautista into California.
Q: How do you define success?
A: Customer satisfaction is #1. I’m successful in my job if I’m keeping people in the hospital happy and make sure they can serve their patients. I’m responsible for giving them the tools they need to do their job for patients every day.
