Susan Renrick

Respiratory Therapist / Radius Specialty Hospital / Roxbury, MA

From a very young age, Susan Renrick, a respiratory therapist at Radius Specialty Hospital in Roxbury, MA, knew that she wanted to work in the health care field. “My mom was a nurse in a nursing home and used to take us to work with her some days to help pass out trays. It was then that I truly felt my passion for health care and taking care
of people.”
 
Susan’s professional interest in health care took root in 2000, when she began her respiratory therapy studies and graduated from Massasoit Community College. She obtained her license as a respiratory therapist in 2002. While working full-time in respiratory, Susan took a major step in her education and career by earning a Master’s Degree in Health Care Management at Cambridge College. The degree was just conferred on January 30, 2009.
 
“I wanted to assume a leadership position in an organization to have worthwhile
work, serve a purpose, and make a difference in the health care field. My Master’s
Degree has certainly given me an opportunity to fulfill my dreams and goals. There
are several opportunities and advancement in the health care field.”
 
As is experienced by so many working adults with family responsibilities, Susan
found the balance between work and school challenging. But on the bright side,
“With the help of the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund I didn’t have to
worry about the financial aspect of my education. That made it so much easier to
focus on my actual studies.”
 
In addition to the critical financial support she received, Susan cites her director of
respiratory at Radius, Pedro Nin Martinez, as a great mentor. “Over the three years
that he’s been my boss, he’s guided and taught me so much. He has definitely
been an inspiration and friend. He’s delegated leadership responsibilities such as
budgeting, scheduling, and payroll which has enlightened me on the day to day
operations as a director.”
 
As Susan moves toward the next phase of her life in health care, she looks back
on her educational experience and reflects, “I learned a lot about people. I’m now
more open to other people’s ideas and diversity of opinions. My program taught
me the importance of ‘groupthink,’ teamwork and collaboration.”