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35 Years of Dedication
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans average 14 jobs between the ages of 18 and 34. And, according to a report by The Conference Board, more than 50% of Americans are unhappy with their job. With statistics showing a decline in career satisfaction, indicative of all workers of all ages and demographics, being employed at the same location for over 35 years seems nearly impossible.
And yet, Family Medical Center (FMC) in Oskaloosa, Iowa has just such an employee; a rare and dedicated employee who began her career with FMC in 1972 – Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Melinda C. Shanahan.
Shanahan began working for Sydney Smith, MD, in June 1972. She was grandfathered into the CMA field 15 years ago after passing the CMA boards. “Just passing the boards,” said Shanahan “is no longer an option. One must attend a year’s schooling to qualify. To maintain certification, I have to be recertified through continuing education studies every five years,” she added.
Shanahan attended two years of college and a six-month course for dental assisting (which she discovered was not something she enjoyed) before getting her job at FMC. Little did she know her career was going to span 35 years, but she has enjoyed all her responsibilities even when she was simply scheduling patients’ appointments.
Her responsibilities now include patient care, giving injections, filling out patient histories, taking blood pressures, keeping exam rooms full for Dr. Hart, making referral appointments, addressing medication refills, helping with patient phone calls, EKGs, hearing tests, and vision tests. She monitors FMC’s pharmacy closet keeping an eye on medicines which have been outdated. She also speaks with pharmaceutical representatives who visit the clinic each day.
“My duties 35 years ago were similar but fewer,” recalled Shanahan. “There wasn’t as much paper work or phone calls then, plus (FMC) only had three or four doctors including Dr. Robert Collison, the founder of the clinic. I received a lot of my training from him; he was a wonderful teacher. Our clinic has grown to ten doctors and a physician’s assistant. My work day begins at 8 a.m., and ends somewhere around 5 p.m.”
Another one of Shanahan’s responsibilities includes helping with FMC’s Kids Clinic. This is a drop-in clinic for school age or younger children and offers peace of mind to parents by providing an opportunity to have their child examined before going to school or daycare. It is available Monday through Friday from 8-9 a.m. Shanahan said having it at this time benefits parents who are not quite sure if their children should be kept home of if it is safe to send them to school.
“The Kids Clinic is great for busy and working parents. We see between 12-18 patients daily. Kids Clinic numbers vary from day to day and there are usually more (patients) during the school year,” added Shanahan.
Shanahan said she really enjoys getting to know FMC’s patients and their families. They also get to know her and her family and hear stories about her “four perfect grandchildren.” Patients enjoy stories about the different places she and her husband, Dave, a National Sales Director for Musco, have visited. In her spare time, she enjoys her grandchildren, plays a little golf, reading and walking.
“I’ve developed many special friends over the years, both patients and co-workers. They make it worthwhile and have helped with my love of my job,” concluded Shanahan. “One of my favorite things to say is, ‘Life is too short not to enjoy what you do as your life’s chosen vocation.’”
After 35 years, it’s clear that Melinda Shanahan epitomizes that favorite saying and sincerely enjoys her life’s work at Oskaloosa’s Family Medical Center.