It’s safe to say that 2020 presented everyone with unprecedented challenges. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, more than 10 million Americans have lost their jobs (ICYMI, 100% of the jobs the U.S. workforce lost in December 2020 belonged to women), over 100,000 small businesses have closed forever, and over 400,000 people in the U.S. have died due to COVID-19. And millions of women are working on the frontlines of the crisis: Women make up 77% of the workers in America's hospitals.
In honor of the healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line every day, we’re recognizing a group of Los Angeles-based certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) on this year’s CC 100 List: Jennifer Katsura, CRNA; Cortney Jolin, CRNA; Ana Armenta, CRNA; Emily Pinho, CRNA; Jamilla Churchill, CRNA, MPH; and Karen Hwang, CRNA. Keep scrolling to learn more about the careers of these inspiring women as well as the life-saving work they’re doing day in and day out, regardless of the risks.
What inspired you to become a CRNA? Was there a pivotal moment in your life where you realized what you wanted to do?
JENNIFER KATSURA, CRNA: I was inspired to become an RN in high school when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo surgery. It was difficult for my family to adjust and cope as it had always been my mom who provided the foundation of support. However, being there and seeing the nurses support not only my mother but also my family during a highly stressful and uncertain time showed me the large impact a nurse can make. As a result, it made me realize I wanted to pursue a career as a nurse, where I could not only help people physically but also mentally and emotionally.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
CORTNEY JOLIN, CRNA: When a person has surgery, often, they are most afraid of the anesthesia. I very rarely have a patient that is nervous about the actual surgery. Having the ability to comfort a patient during such an intimate and scary moment is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
CORTNEY JOLIN, CRNA: During 2020, there was constant change in everyone’s daily life; family, social, and work life. In healthcare, things were changing by the minute. Being fluid in healthcare is something all healthcare professionals learn early on, but this year it was definitely put to the test. I found new roads by allowing myself to acknowledge how difficult the changes were, but also by forcing myself to constantly adapt with the new information coming in.
This past year has been especially challenging for frontline medical workers like yourself. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
ANA ARMENTA, CRNA: This year, unlike any other, has reminded me why I wake up in the morning, put on my scrubs, and show up to work. I do what I do for our patients. They are the ones that keep me motivated. I went into nursing to be a public servant. By continuing to show up and provide the best care possible, I stay true to my passion.
If there is one thing you could tell our readers about COVID, what would it be and why?
ANA ARMENTA, CRNA: I would tell them that now is the time to listen to your gut and choose the harder right. I would tell them that if their gut is telling them to put on a mask; then put it on, or if it's saying to stay home; then stay home, and if it’s saying to postpone that much-desired vacation; then postpone it. This is the time for us to be supportive of each other and to look out for one another. Follow the CDC guidelines so that we can all come out of this a much stronger country than before the pandemic.
What is the biggest work challenge or mistake you’ve faced? What did you learn from it?
CORTNEY JOLIN, CRNA: One of our biggest work challenges is how to respond in an emergent situation. People often respond to emergent situations with fear or panic. However, healthcare professionals must respond to emergent situations with calculated, precise, and knowledgeable actions. After an emergency, we debrief as a team to discuss how well we handled the situation so that we are able to learn from our own decisions.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
EMILY PINHO, CRNA: My grandma used to say, “There are two types of people in the world: the doers and the watchers. Be a doer.”
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
ANA ARMENTA, CRNA: Honestly, the biggest highlight of my career is having made it this far! Let me explain. I was born in Honduras, a third world country. Then immigrated to Louisiana as a young child only to continue to live in poverty and on welfare and food stamps. I remember looking at my mom one day when I was fed up with our living conditions and told her my dreams. That was the day I told her that I wanted to finish high school and go on to college to become a registered nurse. She looked up at me and simply told me to follow my dreams. I took her advice literally. I graduated from nursing school in 2007. The look on my mom’s face when she pinned me with my nursing pin was priceless! I will never forget that day.
What do you hope the future looks like for women entering into the medical field in 2021 and beyond?
JAMILLA CHURCHILL, CRNA, MPH: I hope to see a continued movement toward increasing gender equity and the elimination of inequities in compensation and career advancement for female providers. Female practitioners, whether in the role of medicine, nursing, or ancillary roles, have the opportunity to bring a unique perspective to healthcare. A perspective that is uniquely female. I am looking forward to a future of medicine that promotes gender diversity and celebrates women in healthcare.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself?
KAREN HWANG, CRNA: Relax, trust in your abilities, trust the process, and take criticism constructively, not personally. The journey goes quickly, so try to enjoy the moments. Every learning curve is helping you become a better version of the anesthetist you will become!
Fill in the blanks:
I turn bad days around by…
KAREN HWANG, CRNA: Focusing on the positive and having gratitude for what’s going well in my life. Also, snuggling my cat.
If there were more hours in the day, I would…
KAREN HWANG, CRNA: Keep doing the things and spending the time with the people that bring me joy and inspire my creativity. Or I’d be outdoors in nature doing something active.
If I wasn’t in my job now, I would be…
JENNIFER KATSURA, CRNA: Traveling and learning about different cultures and lifestyles around the world.
Three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
EMILY PINHO, CRNA: Hard work, resilience, and the ability to laugh at myself.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
ANA ARMENTA, CRNA: I would love to see a more colorful and diverse healthcare industry, especially in Los Angeles! We should reflect the population we take care of. Doing this will foster more trust in our healthcare providers and will, therefore, increase access to care for many.
