Family, purpose, and patients: Intermountain Health caregivers share their ‘why’

At Intermountain Health, we believe in what we do. As caregivers, no matter our role or where we work, we make a difference in the lives of our patients, their families, and our communities. Your passion and compassion don't go unnoticed.  

Inspired by Rob Allen, president and CEO, we recently asked caregivers to share the ‘why’ behind their career in healthcare. Their inspiring answers are a reminder of the impact we have on the people around us, whether we’re helping a patient for an hour or working with a colleague for years. 

Family 

For many caregivers, healthcare runs in the family. Following in the footsteps of family members or being inspired by a family member’s experience as a patient can shape healthcare careers. 

“Healthcare was everywhere in my life,” said Darci Powers, director of enterprise communications. Darci was born with a congenital heart defect, her dad had multiple sclerosis, and her mom was a nurse. But what stands out to Darci the most are the deep connections formed in healthcare.  

“Nurses helped a three-year-old me experience snow for the first time (brought into my hospital room in a bedpan),” she said. “CNAs and homecare brought belly laughter to my bedridden father alongside essential care three times a week. My mom's colleagues would line up to talk to me when I'd call her at work. Healthcare is a family and a survival system. It's a place where all the best hearts come together to help people feel seen, supported, and as healthy as possible. Why would I want to be a part of anything else?” 

Darci now pays forward the experiences that shaped her. “Every caregiver at Intermountain matters,” she said. “And like the snow-filled bedpan, you might be planting a core memory. Your interactions may be brief, but the impact can go on for generations." 

Patti Bailey, senior practice manager at the Boulder Crossings Clinic, wanted to be a teacher growing up. But that changed when she was 19 and her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. A few months after the diagnosis, Patti started school for medical assisting. “It became a passion of mine to help others and help my mom,” she said.  

Patti brings that family mentality into her daily work. “I speak with my team often about how important it is to treat patients like they’re your family, even when the patient isn’t always pleasant,” she said. “Everyone has bad days, and a lot of our patients are dealing with chronic conditions that may affect their lifestyle and mood. If that were our family member, we’d still want them cared for and treated with kindness and respect.” 

Patients 

Patients are central to everything we do at Intermountain. For many caregivers, serving and learning from patients is at the heart of their work. 

Lynette Cartwright, NICU nurse at Primary Children’s Hospital, has a passion for improving the lives of infants. Working at Primary Children’s Hospital was a no-brainer because of its reputation for excellent care. “I’ve cared for many patients who were critical and seemed to have little hope of a positive outcome,” Lynette said. “Yet through medical science and excellent patient care, they’re alive and thriving. That’s my joy and purpose!” 

Lisa Wegener, a medical lab tech at American Fork Hospital, was planning on a career in music, not healthcare. After graduating high school, Lisa found herself weeding at Uintah Care Center as community service for a speeding ticket. That volunteer work soon turned into a paid job as a CNA. 

“In the three decades since, I've learned the value of each soul, reverence for their life stories, and the honor it is to serve them in their most vulnerable moments,” Lisa said. “I've learned how sacred it is to do my part. And at the end of every shift, I'm grateful, because while I have to earn a living, it's a paycheck with a purpose, and I wouldn't have it any other way.” 

Lisa continues to see her ‘why’ in action every day. One night in the ED, two children were getting CPR. Lisa was in the trauma room with one of the young patients, working with a nurse to get the child’s heart starting. With tears in her eyes, the patient’s mother put her arms around the nurse and said she could stop CPR. 

What happened next changed Lisa’s perspective. “After giving her child a last hug, on what was probably one of the worst days of her life, that mother went into the hall and put her arms around the mother of the other young patient,” Lisa said. “I always look to her as an example when my problems seem bigger than I have the emotional resources for. It’s possible to be kind and graceful, even on your worst day.” 

Make a difference 

Some people are natural helpers and want to make a difference. That desire to serve and make an impact makes a natural transition to healthcare. 

Janine Beach, nutrition care associate at St. Vincent Regional Hospital, wanted to help others and knew she could do that in a hospital kitchen. “If I can get the patient a healthy, warm meal, that will help make their stay here in the hospital a little better,” she said.  

For Janine, helping patients makes her daily work worth it. “Some patients have told me they love my customer service and how I don’t rush them in ordering,” she said. “I’ve even been told I have a nice phone voice, which makes me smile." 

From a young age, Nicole Boudreaux, National Committee for Quality Assurance coordinator, wanted to be in an industry that helps people. Healthcare was the natural choice. Now, she sees the impact on patients as she works to improve the quality of care. “Helping our clinics get a national quality recognition allows my ‘why’ for helping people come alive,” she said. “It’s a full-on trickle effect. I help our teams and clinics give patients quality care, which allows our patients to get the care they need. It’s a win-win situation.” 

Maria Belcher, clinical excellence partner, lives by a motto on her desk: "Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.” Her reason for working in healthcare is to make a difference and show compassion when patients are hurting. “When patients come to me angry, frustrated, and disappointed, I meet them where they are and listen without judgement,” she said.  

“I believe there’s not enough love and care in the world, and I intend to do my part with all those I interact with,” said LaDee Dangerfield, bone marrow transplant coordinator at LDS Hospital. LaDee has always had a desire to care for people and started at an early age.  

Now, she cares for a vulnerable population suffering from a horrible disease. “I’m amazed every day by their resilience and how they look adversity in the face and still have hope,” LaDee said. “I hope I can be a spark of light for them and encourage them with love and compassion.” 

Growth opportunities 

A healthcare career provides plenty of opportunities for growth. No matter your role, there’s always room for new learning.  

Growing up, Jessica Giles wanted to be a nurse. She joined Intermountain because she knew it was a place where she could grow. But after much consideration, she decided nursing wasn’t the right choice for her. “Although I didn’t continue on the clinical path, I worked hard and was given opportunities to learn and grow in the non-clinical fields,” she said. Jessica has held several positions in her 17 years at Intermountain, and she said they have all helped her gain and improve skills.  

“I now work in Talent and Career Development and helped develop and create the Career Navigation program,” Jessica said. “I get to give back and help others learn what Intermountain resources and benefits are available to help them get where they want to be in their career.”