Type Of Business:
Nonprofit Hospital
Expertise:
Mrs. Gage Steptoe's expertise includes emergency, disaster and transport nursing.
Major Product/SVS:
Healthcare
Favorite Business Publication:
American Journal of Nursing; NurseWeek
Hobbies/Sports:
Traveling, Reading the Holy Bible, Going to Church, Trying to Grow in her Christian Walk
Education Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, The University of Texas at El Paso; Registered Nurse
Affiliations Awards:
Emergency Nurses Association; Regional Area Council on Trauma; Tx-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team
Industry:
Emergency Nursing
Date of Distinction:
12/10/2008
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
Mrs. Gage-Steptoe's commitment to her patients is what separates her from other professionals in this industry, as she prides herself on being a patient advocate. She truly believes that when people come to the emergency room, they are putting their very lives in her hands, and it is her obligation to not to them down. She trains nurses to put themselves in the patient's place and treat them as if they were family.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Mrs. Gage-Steptoe feels that there is no better feeling than knowing that she had a hand in saving someone's life. When someone says 'Thank you for saving me,’ or acknowledges what she has done to help them, there is no better feeling. These are great career achievements which make the hard work well worth it.
Expanded Biography:
The achievements that Mrs. Gage-Steptoe is most proud of are the significant moments in which a patient or family member says 'thank you' for her direct hand in helping the doctors correctly diagnose a problem. She particularly notes a female patient who had a critical neurological problem, who without surgery would have died. Mrs. Gage-Steptoe took care of her at the onset of her hospital stay. Soon after she arrived in the emergency room, she stopped breathing. Thanks to God, the medical staff was able to revive her. Mrs. Gage-Steptoe went to check on her a couple of days after her brain surgery, and she was still in intensive care. Mrs. Gage-Steptoe had no idea what she would remember; however upon seeing her, she pulled Mrs. Gage-Steptoe and kissed her on the cheek, and said "You saved my life. Thank you." Apparently, she had remembered everything that had transpired.
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The most gratifying aspects of her career are working with the National Disaster Medical System and helping people experiencing crises.
Charity:
Local Charitable Organizations; National Disaster Medical System; Volunteer, SWAT Team, El Paso Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Number Of Years In Profession:
14
Number Of Years In Current Position:
14
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her love for her profession and ability to encourage others.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession after interviewing to enroll in a class to become a hospital unit secretary. She did not plan to continue her education immediately after high school but wanted to appease her parents, which subsequently led to her career in nursing.
Extended Bio Profile:
Mrs. Gage-Steptoe assisted people during Hurricane Katrina. She was invited to attend the presidential inaugurations of President George W. Bush and President Barack H. Obama. She also participated in the transportation of critically ill children to the pediatric intensive care unit at the hospital's sister facility, Providence Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Gage-Steptoe has recently been trying to network and organize emergency nurses across the county to develop a way to combat the growing number of trucking-related injuries and deaths resulting from drivers who suffer from heart attacks and strokes while on the road. She has had personal experience with this issue and believes that emergency nurses have a responsibility to do something about it. Mrs. Gage-Steptoe prides herself on doing as much community service as possible.
Education Certifications:
Trauma Nurse Core Course Certified; Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification; Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification; Advanced Disaster Life Support Certification
Awards/Honors:
Volunteer of the Year Award, Disaster Medical Assistance Team, Nashville, TN (2008)