56 | HealthLinksSC.com MEN WI N HEALTH Offer three adjectives to describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today. Resilient, empowering and inspirational best describe my journey over the last 18 years that I’ve been in health care. The path to leadership involves overcoming obstacles and learning from experiences with a pursuit for excellence. It’s been an empowering journey as I navigated and overcame challenges, and hopefully I have inspired others along the way. Describe one routine or good habit that has helped you navigate a specific challenge in your career. One routine that has helped me navigate challenges during my career has been a reflective practice. This involves regularly taking the time to reflect on my experiences, decisions and interactions within an ever-changing environment. Learning to adapt and evolve in a field that is dynamic with constant changes and advancements is key. 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. As a woman in leadership within the health care field, a piece of guidance I would offer is to build a strong network. A strong network provides support, advice and opportunities throughout your career. I would also encourage women new to the field to always advocate for themselves and seek out challenges and new roles. Never stop learning. Continuous learning ensures you are competitive, able to adapt and confident in your role/ field. What’s your favorite way to recharge, engage in self-care or prevent burnout? My favorite way to recharge and engage in self-care is through activities that provide a sense of relaxation, balance and rejuvenation. Meditation and yoga allow me time to focus on myself and help relieve stress. Quality time with family and friends is crucial for my well-being – sharing meals together, taking walks, catching up over the phone or traveling together. I enjoy all the time spent with them. If you could give only one piece of advice to your patients in regard to their health, what would it be? I would encourage everyone to prioritize prevention to the best of their ability for improved health. Making healthy lifestyle choices plays a significant role in preventing an array of health conditions. I would also encourage people to listen to their bodies, paying attention and staying informed to seek medical advice/attention as needed, in addition to regular screenings. Kendal Cook Bittner, BSN, RN COASTAL VASCULAR & VEIN CENTER Chief Operating Officer 843-577-4551 CoastalVVC.com Photo by Jenn Cady. " I would encourage everyone to prioritize prevention to the best of their ability for improved health. "
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