Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Hicks.
Hi Susan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I pretty much always knew I wanted to be in the medical field. During high school, I attended vocational courses that certified me as a Nursing Assistant and worked in a few different settings until graduation. Afterward, I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to do, I knew I wanted medical, but not sure specifics. I didn’t have the money, nor did I want to rack up student debt trying to figure it out, so I joined the Army to get training and earn college money.
I became a medic, deployed, and learned a lot. After returning, I applied for their LPN program, was accepted, and after completion worked in a military hospital, and took pre-requisites on base until the end of my active duty contract. I joined the Army National Guard afterward and enrolled in college while working as a float LPN until my unit was deployed. After a year and a half of that, I returned, re-enrolled in school, and completed my RN degree. I settled down with a great position in Hospice Care, and found a great group of women, and began my recreational career in Roller Derby. I started school again to complete my Bachelor’s level when I was deployed again.
Upon return, I completed my bachelor’s and shortly after started working on my Master’s in order to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. After graduation and boards, I went directly into Family Care/Primary Care setting which I absolutely love. Helping patients reach their best health is my #1 goal. Five years and twin boys later, enter the COVID pandemic. I was called up by the National Guard to assist East TN in its response. During this time, my job and I decided to part ways, and I began looking for other options when orders would be over.
To my surprise, I fell into a partnership opportunity in Primary Integrative Care. I started that journey almost a year ago now. Several months in, I proposed to be the majority holder and my partner wanted out instead. I became sole owner on April 01, 2021, and have been working to move the practice forward focusing on physical and mental health as one.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Although I am 100% proud of my service, deployment timings with school were definitely a challenge. Schools didn’t always want to let me pick right up where I left off upon returning. Finding a position as a new grad Nurse Practitioner is also very difficult.
No one wants to take a chance on a newbie. It was definitely a very scary few months searching for a job that didn’t make me live in fear of losing my license I had just worked my butt off for.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We specialize in Family, Acute, and Behavioral Health. We have a firm belief that your brain and emotions have an impact on your overall health, so we treat the person, not just symptoms. I feel like that sets us apart from the practices that treat what you walk in the door with that day. We are small and still growing, we’ve had a lot of struggles to get settled.
I always say we didn’t start on the ground floor, but the 2nd level and the basement had some flood damage while the ceiling had some asbestos that all had to be fixed first.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Always interested in companies that were to contract for health services for their business, medical supplies, specialists, or other medical services. Cross referrals are great.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@valor-medical.com
- Website: www.valor-medical.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValorMedical
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/home
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/valor-medical-knoxville
