Healthcare Heroes | Mitzy Medema
July 2, 2021
What is your official Title?
I am the Clinic Patient Procedure Scheduler for the Center for Eye Care. I schedule all of the surgeries in eye care and handle incoming and outgoing referrals. It keeps me busy, that's for sure.
How long have you been at Watertown Regional Medical Center? Have you always been in the same position?
I’ve been with this eye clinic for 15 years. I started off at the front desk when Dr. Hoyt had his private practice and I continued working when it was bought by Watertown Regional Medical Center in 2012. I’ve been in my current role for the past six years.
What do you enjoy most about working at Watertown Regional Medical Center?
I love working with the patients and making sure they understand what needs to be accomplished to get their surgeries done. I like to take them through step-by-step, making sure they are prepared and making the day of surgery and recovery easier for them.
What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
When I was 19 I worked in orthopedics and enjoyed what I was doing. After getting out of healthcare completely for a few years, I realized the hours fit really well with my kids sports and I wanted to get back into a position that I didn’t have to work nights and weekends. Getting into eye care was a great fit as I really enjoy what I do.
What would you say to somebody wanting to get into your profession?
I’d say go for it, you won’t regret it. It’s a nice feeling knowing that you get to help people everyday. I'd also let them know that you need to be an organized person, have the ability to multi-task and be able to learn and adapt as you go. When you work with a smaller team, as I do, you need to be willing to step-up and help in other areas as well.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I love spending time with my family and being outdoors. I enjoy hiking and biking, taking our "crazy" dog for walks and spending a lot of time in our garden, which we take great pride in.
What is your favorite place in the Watertown area?
We love Amado’s Mexican restaurant. Brandt Quirk Park is also great for a quick hike. They have nice trails and you can walk with your dogs.
What does working for a CMS “Five-Star” Hospital mean to you?
Earning five-stars is an impressive feat, especially considering the size of our town. It's something the people of Watertown and the surrounding communities should be proud of, knowing there is a hospital in our own backyard that provides great quality care and offers specialty services that you can't get everywhere else, like the 24/7 heart attack program and our Pediatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
At the Center for Eye Care, specifically, we have a retina doctor that comes in and provides an amazing service to our community. It keeps people from having to travel to Madison or Milwaukee to get care and helps them heal in a familiar environment.
Why do you believe patients can Count on Watertown Regional Medical Center for quality care?
The providers play a huge role. They’re longevity shows that they want to be here and want to help the people of Watertown and the surrounding communities.
What is one thing you’re doing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
I got my vaccine.