MEN WI N HEALTH HealthLinksSC.com | 45 What’s your favorite way to recharge, engage in self-care or prevent burnout? I spend time with my two dogs – Annabelle, a black Lab, and Lucy, a golden retriever. They are so loving and comforting to be around. What’s one obstacle you hope future women in health care never have to face? I hope that women in the future never have to face pay inequality or be treated differently based on their gender. Forbes reported in October 2023 that “Worldwide, women still face a 24% salary differential compared to men across the health care sector.” This is not an easy fix, even for companies dedicated to reversing pay inequity, but I hope one day to see improvement. Offer three adjectives to describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today. Setbacks. Barriers. Triumph. I was 24 years old when I started my journey to become a health care administrator. My first obstacle was that I was denied an administrator in training program due to budget restrictions, so I had to work a year as a social worker to gain the experience necessary. Additionally, when it came time to getting approval to take my boards, the LTC Administrator Board denied my request and asked me to come in front of them to present my portfolio. Despite these barriers, I was triumphant and got my license, passing all my board exams the first time I sat for them. Describe one routine or good habit that has helped you navigate a specific challenge in your career. The book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear has made a huge impact in habit forming. A habit I’ve formed with help from this book is to spend two minutes per day focusing on breathing and checking in with my body. Breath work is so beneficial for stress management and starting a simple routine I could stop and do anywhere at any time. Please share advice you would give, as a mentor, to women new to the health field. Or if you are mentoring someone specific, please tell us who they are, how you’re mentoring them and what you hope they gain from your mentorship. I have mentored many leaders over the years and would suggest to everyone pursuing a career in health care to refocus on what is most important on your hardest days. We should all have our unique “why,” but our patients’ well-being should be at the top of our priority list. Spending quality time with them is the best way to re-center and remind yourself of that “why.” Briefly discuss one common misconception about your profession that you would like to refute. There is a stigma that health care management doesn’t care about their employees or those working on the floor. I’m trying to change that stigma by creating a positive, supportive environment. I know my staff and their names. If they’re struggling, they can reach out to me directly for help. If you could give one piece of advice to your clients in regard to their health, what would it be? I would recommend reading about “Blue Zones” and the benefits of not only diet and exercise but of community, friendship and supporting each other as we age. Lindsay French Executive Director KEMPTON OF CHARLESTON 194 Spring St., Charleston 854-444-8582 kemptonofcharleston.com
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