by Vickie Jenkins – Writer/Photographer

As I arrived создаваемых at the Indian clinic, I was greeted by Andrew Davis, Marketing Director at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic and lead to the Public Health Department.  This is where I met Randi Schoeppel, RN, BSN, Nurse Case Manager and where the Pink Glory Breast Care Program is located.  From the minute I met her, Schoeppel was very friendly and professional.  She was very detailed as she explained what the Pink Glory Breast Care Program was all about.
The purpose of the Pink Glory Breast Care Program is to provide breast health education and navigation services for American Indian women in Central Oklahoma, primarily Oklahoma County. This program provides culturally appropriate and evidenced-based education and reminder notifications to ensure women are able to cheap jerseys receive the appropriate and 2016-17 timely breast care needs necessary for wholesale jerseys early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
Sitting in her office, I ask, “How long have you been a nurse?”  Schoeppel replies,  “I’ve been a nurse for 32 years and have learned a lot over the years,” she says with a smile.  “You must love it,” I said.  Schoeppel continues. “I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree working at Mercy and then I moved up to the Intensive Care area.”  Asking Schoeppel why she became a nurse, she replies, “I come from a medical family which provided for a strong groundwork for a career pathway.  Plus, in school, I was strong in science and math and combining that with compassion and helping others, I became a nurse.  If you think about it, becoming a nurse is such a diverse area, I knew it was a great field to go into.  A person needs unique thinking skills, fitting into the patients feelings.  When my children were young, I was a school nurse in Muskogee and also a Special Needs nurse at PC West. I loved everything about it. One can go many directions in the medical field.”
“What three qualities make a good nurse?” I ask.  “Compassion and empathy, really strong critical thinking skills and assessments, and staying current in your practice. Medicine is always evolving, always new things happening. A nurse should make sure they stay updated on everything.”
I asked Schoeppel how others would describe her.  She said, “Loyal, energetic, strong assessment skills and knowing the patient always comes first.”  “ Did anyone influence you to become a nurse?” I ask.  “My family was a big influence.  My sister is a physician and she was always around.  My mom was a homemaker and my dad worked for the Veterans Administration.”  “Do you have any hobbies?  What do like to do for fun?” I ask.  ‘Well, I am a real workaholic,” Schoeppel says, with a laugh. “When I am not working, I like gardening.  I also like to travel.”
“What would you consider to be your greatest asset?” I ask.  “I think my greatest asset would be caring for the patients with a holistic approach, meeting others’ needs, completing the loop and not letting the patient get dropped from the system.   Mammograms are done five days a month and cheap mlb jerseys on Cheap those days, we see about 40 patients.  If there is an abnormal report, the patient is directed to the Oklahoma Breast Care Center for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound.  If an abnormal is seen, the patient is recommended to an Oncologist.” Schoeppel says.  “I want to hold their hand, telling Entrada them that they can make it.  I will be sure to keep track of that patient, continuing to lift them up.  We also offer a Mother/Daughter Banquet along with explaining the importance of mammograms and tips on staying healthy,” she adds.
Asking Schoeppel what a typical days is like for her,  she replies,  “After the mammograms are done, there are  follow ups, but the main focus is helping the patient approach their fear, letting them know the importance of mammograms.  The patient is our main concern.”
Finishing the interview, I left the office cheap nba jerseys with a nice feeling.  I could tell that Randi Schoeppel is an excellent nurse, dedicating herself to helping others, spreading her love and compassion.  Me? I am a breast cancer survivor.  Even though I have been cancer free for 11 years, it is nice to know there are special people like Randi that keep doing what they do best; encouraging others.   I said a prayer, “Thank-you God,  for letting certain people cross our pathways.  Thank-you for the nurses and the encouragers that come into our lives.  Amen.”