Insight_3rd Edition

Third Edition | Marquis Who ’ s Who Insight 5 Theodora M. Capezio, RN, BSN Medical-Surgical Nurse Monkton, MD How have you navigated disruptions in your industry to remain a top professional? In 1962, I was pregnant with my third child. I quit working and didn’t go back for 17 years because I stayed home to raise my children. When I went back all those years later, everything was so different. The technology in the field was nothing like it was when I had first started. I decided I wanted to get my degree, but I ended up enjoying bedside nursing and I didn’t want to do anything else. In my last six years in the field, I worked in hospice and retired when I was 70. What are two key behavior/personality traits that allow you to be effective in your role? Having compassion and the desire to help others. Also, the drive to educate patients and co-workers. Over the years as a hospice nurse, I learned how to talk to patients. I realized there was a need for that because nursing had changed so much while I was on leave to raise my family. What new innovations or technologies do you feel will shape the future of your industry? Computers, because they are advancing what we do. Right before I retired, we learned how to keep electronic records. What excites you the most about your industry? What I liked about nursing was feeling that I could affect people in a meaningful way that the average person couldn’t. This made me feel good about myself. I always tried really hard to help patients when they were at bad points in their lives. Florence H. Levin Denmark-Wesner, DHL, PhD Distinguished Research Professor Pace University, New York, NY www.florencedenmark-wesner.com How have you navigated disruptions in your industry to remain a top professional? I just keep plowing ahead — I don’t take a lot of things personally. If there are issues, I simply go on and do my thing, whatever it is. What are two key behaviors/personality traits that allow you to be effective in your role? I value other people and I don’t put themdown. I respect what everyone has to contribute. What is the most important issue/challenge you are dealing with in your industry right now? Making sure that the faculty is diverse. How do you feel your industry has changed/evolved over time? Years ago, the faculty was comprised primarily of white men. It has changed by bringing in many women and people of color. What new innovations or technologies do you feel will shape the future of your industry? There is a lot of new technology available. For example, we are using things like Zoom to conduct virtual meetings. What excites you the most about your industry? The students. I love to teach, I love what I do and working with students.