Healthlinks Charleston Jan/Feb 2021

88 | www.VoteBestHealth.com | www.HealthLinksCharleston.com SANDY JONES AGACNP It was a commercial on TV that piqued Sandy Jones’ interest in nursing. She saw a nurse caring for crying babies and thought that might be something she would like to do. Once she graduated from nursing school, she had a hard time finding a job and, as fate would have it, she started working in trauma. Jones eventually moved from trauma into ICU, which is where she is now at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, and has never looked back. “I am obsessed with critical care,” she said. “I can’t imagine do- ing anything else at this point.” What she loves about nursing is the variety: “If you decide you don’t like one area, you can find a different specialty that better fits your lifestyle and personality.” Her advice to other nurses: “There will always be hard days, but the good days are so good. We are experiencing such trying times, but it won’t be like this forever. Keep your head up and keep saving lives because this is what we were made to do.” ESTEE PERLMUTTER FNP-BC Estee Perlmutter grew up with parents who were both teachers, so when it came to choosing a profession, she knew it would be one that gave back to the community in some way. She has worked in both hospice and med/surg, but what she end- ed up specializing in was family practice. Now, as a family nurse practitioner with Liberty Doctors, she feels right at home. “I love working in family practice because it allows me to treat patients of all ages with a variety of health concerns. I may treat a person with congestive heart failure and diabetes followed by a person with a poison ivy outbreak,” she attested. She loves the opportunities she has been afforded with a career in nursing: “I’ve lived in many different cities and have always been fortunate to find work.” Ultimately, her love for nursing lies with helping people. “My goal is to help people feel well and live the life they would like to live,” she said. CIELITA K. HALYARD MSN, FNP-C Nursing was a goal for Cielita K. Halyard since high school. She actually knew at that time that she wanted to be a nurse practitioner but decided to work as a nurse first before pursuing her masters degree. For 10 years, Halyard worked as a bedside nurse and then final - ly obtained her MSN. Her specialty of choice was family practice/ primary care. “I get bored very easily and thrive on variety,” she said. “There- fore I knew family practice/primary care would be the best fit for me.” Now with Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, she hasn’t looked back. “It doesn’t matter how you start the race; it only matters how you finish. Therefore, don’t let anything or anyone deter you from pursuing your goal,” she said. T H E P U L S E O N CHARLESTON NURSES JOSEPH TREVINO RN, BSN As a primary care nurse care manager at the Goose Creek VA Outpatient Clinic, which is a part of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Joseph Trevino said he really enjoys having the opportunity to help veterans maintain their overall health, rather than just focusing on treating the specific prob - lem for which they are admitted. “Having worked in multiple inpatient settings, primary care was a nice transition,” he said. He now looks to the future and hopes to one day move into a role of educating future nurses. “My advice to new nurses is to find a mentor who can guide you and help you recognize your own blind spots,” he said. HealthLinks Charleston wants to recognize nurses as the backbone of our medical community and thank them for all their efforts!