One of Us: Carson Blankenship
One of Us is a series that provides a glimpse into the working world of USA Health, one employee at a time.
What is your job title and what does it entail?
I am a medical assistant, but I am in the process of transferring to a patient navigation specialist position at USA Health’s vaccine site! I do a little bit of everything out there -- admitting patients, administering the vaccine, educating patients about the vaccine during their observation period, communicating with various businesses/organizations to help them gain better access to the vaccine and, of course, answering a lot of emails.
What is your favorite or most rewarding part of your position?
My favorite part of this position is all of my incredible coworkers. We are a collection of healthcare professionals from every type of clinic and healthcare setting imaginable. We come together every day to provide the best care to our patients and get them this life-saving vaccine. The teamwork is unlike anything I have ever been a part of before, and, at the end of the day, seeing the gratitude on our patients’ faces is the most rewarding part.
What originally made you want to join USA Health?
I moved to Mobile after graduating from Auburn in 2019. Everywhere I looked, there was some form of USA Health clinic or office. All I ever heard around town was how great USA was, so I figured it would be a great place to start my job search!
How long have you been with USA Health?
I’ve been here 14 months. I began my job in February 2020 at the USA Health Family Medicine clinic at Strada. It was a wonderful job, and I enjoyed every moment of it. However, COVID struck almost as soon as I started my position, and I was moved to the COVID Testing Team right when our health system began testing for SARS-CoV-2. I have been part of the Pandemic Team ever since.
What has working with USA Health taught you?
It has taught me that my passion definitely lies in healthcare and that I am blessed to get to work with the best team in the world.
Do you have any goals you want to achieve in the health system?
My goal is to become a physician assistant! I recently got accepted into USA’s physician assistant program, so I am ecstatic to begin this new journey in my life.
What is your favorite hobby or pastime outside of work?
You can find me riding bikes with friends through midtown. We love to bike, and enjoy the weather and the beautiful charm of the city while on a mission to get cocktails and brunch downtown.
I also really got into gardening during quarantine. I never thought that gardening and yard work would be passions of mine, but now nothing makes me happier than spending a Saturday or Sunday morning in the dirt, planting and enjoying nature’s beauty.
Do you have any advice for people who want to work in the health system?
Just like with any job, you are going to have good interactions and challenging interactions every single day. However, the good moments you share with patients make it all worthwhile. They are the moments you take home with you and keep. They are the moments that keep you going.
