Alicia Smith, Clinical Manager of Hendricks Regional Health’s Infusion Center and Nurse Navigation, does not fear stepping outside her comfort zone. For example, she has successfully managed her career while concurrently pursuing her college education. “I’ve been a student almost my entire adult life,” Alicia laughs. “I don’t like being a student – but I do like the challenge I get from continuing my education.”
Alicia has spent most of her career at Hendricks caring for our cancer patients. She has worked as a radiation oncology nurse, an oncology nurse navigator, a palliative care nurse navigator and a Clinical Nurse Specialist. “With every opportunity I took at Hendricks, I always felt most passionate working with oncology patients,” she said. “I love being able to make a very challenging time a better experience for someone.”
This is how she came to be in her current role as Lead Navigator. “Our cancer navigation team is in a unique position to be able to impact the patient experience,” said Alicia. “I’m helping our navigation team grow and I still have a partial caseload of breast cancer patients. It’s the perfect marriage of my education and my passion.” In addition to working directly with patients, the team is now collaborating with Hendricks’ medical teams to develop lifesaving programs including lung screening and tobacco cessation programs.
Alicia’s teammates say she is an inspiration. “She has helped shape and evolve the navigation program and taken us to a higher level,” said Eva Burgan. “She is always looking for ways to improve what we do and how we care for our patients. I am old enough to be her mother, but I have learned so much from her.”
Alicia loves hearing when she inspires people to pursue nursing. Over the past decade, she has also worked hard to inspire people with hearing disabilities. “Many people don’t know that I’m severely hearing impaired.”
Alicia’s hearing disability developed toward the end of her pregnancy with her youngest daughter. At one point, she thought her nursing days were over because she feared she would miss a critical conversation at the bedside. “It challenged me both personally and professionally and made me proud of all the things I’ve been able to do,” she said. “I know that not all disabilities are created equal, but I want to give people hope. A disability does not mean your career or dream is over.”
Alicia’s adult life has been filled with challenges, but she is happy with where her journey has taken her. “When times get tough, I thrive,” she said. “Nursing is definitely where I belong.”
