Our committed and dedicated performance improvement team works hard to ensure that we are making consistent and continuous progress that will directly or indirectly improve the delivery of quality patient care to our communities.

This week we feature Deborah Samson who heads the performance improvement team as she shares her story with us.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised here in Bethel. My grandparents were from Kwigillingok, Akiachak, and Marshall. My husband is from Kipnuk, and we have raised 3 children. I have always loved living in this region, near an amazing river and near the ocean. We love the subsistence lifestyle and the friendship we share with family members and friends all across this region. Our faith and going to church are integral components of our lives.

What events/situations led you to a career in healthcare?

My parents were very supportive of me going to college and helped me with finances when I needed it. I started off as a nurse’s aide here at the YKHC hospital.

When I moved to the village of Kipnuk, I got to work as a community health aide (CHA) for about 3 years. I then decided to go to nursing school as the demands of being a CHA were very challenging and I needed a break and a change of pace.

How many years of training/education/experience did it take you get to where you are today?  

Right out of high school I went to college in Anchorage for a year, then spent two years in a nursing program at Fairbanks. At the time, I realized that I wasn’t ready for the rigors of college and all that it entails so I took a break from college, which ended up being a 7-year break.  I decided to return to finish my degree so my husband and I moved to Anchorage and lived there until I completed my BSN degree.

What are some of the highlights in your journey from when you first started at YKHC to where you are today?

I have had the privilege of working in different f positions at YKHC. The positions provide me with perspectives that have helped me to improve and contribute in meaningful ways to department and to YKHC. Whenever I felt like I needed a change, I would just apply for another nursing position within YKHC. Over the years and through these changes, I am grateful for the learning and growth that ensued as a result of exploring other positions.

Challenges/successes in your journey?

I learned over time that things aren’t always easy. There are always obstacles along the way in achieving goals that we set for ourselves. We have to constantly try and work on improving ourselves as not trying or not doing anything stagnates progress and growth. I learned that if I didn’t try, then I was sabotaging my learning opportunities. Just giving things a try and not being

deterred when things go wrong or don’t work out as you had envisioned them does not mean that you have failed. Being persistent and persevering when things appear tough and impossible to achieve are important to nurturing resilience in both personal and professional pursuits.

What is the most rewarding in your role?

I really like being a part of team that looks for opportunities to improve and grow. We work with many departments and employees in efforts to meet YKHC’s quality expectations

Working with others to the betterment of our healthcare organization and seeing the positive impact, big and small, of these efforts make my role very intrinsically rewarding. 

How has your work impacted you personally and professionally?

I’ve been able to be close to my immediate and extended family and have been able to help care of my aging parents during their last years of life. It is rewarding to be able to use the knowledge learned in school, work and life to help my parents and family.

Your personal & professional goals?

It has been my personal goal to work as the best RN that I can be in whatever capacity or role I am in. I love to learn and am always striving to figure out ways to best carry out my duties and responsibilities. Listening is such a valuable skill that I always trying to improve as listening to patients and our team members help us to better understand their needs. Understanding people’s needs helps us to find ways to find solutions that are meaningful to them. I would really encourage the young people in our communities to pursue careers as health professionals as the need for healthcare workers is huge in our region.

How has your work impacted YKHC, your department/colleagues and the communities e serve?

When I first came to YKHC to work as a registered nurse, I was the third Alaska Native RN from this region to work for YKHC. I hope that others in the region will see people like me and be motivated to pursue careers in healthcare, whether it be to become a nurse, respiratory therapist or whatever they may choose as a career. I hope that my story will inspire them to someday serve as a health professional at YKHC. 

What would you tell students/employees who are aspiring to explore healthcare careers in any of the roles you have occupied in the last 30 years.

Working in healthcare and at YKHC has been a wonderful experience. To be part of a healthcare organization that is providing excellent service in our region is an honor and I hope that more students in our region will explore the many career opportunities available to them at YKHC!