Learn from our mistakes. Give yourself grace and realize that you are not perfect. Don’t be your worst critic and don’t let mistakes stifle your growth.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kimberly Green.
Kimberly Green, MSN, RN, C-EFM, serves as Vice President of Women and Children Services at The MetroHealth System. In this role, Kimberly is responsible for the business, professional, and clinical activities in women and children’s services throughout the system. Passionate about her work, Kimberly is deeply committed to leading the vision and strategy that will promote meaningful initiatives, deliver quality care, and yield positive outcomes.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Ihave been a nurse for over 30 years with an unwavering passion for serving women and children. I started my career knowing my passion and governed myself accordingly as I continued my career journey. I have always wanted to serve as a role model and mentor to others in my daily work. Having a caregiver that looks like you can and will make a difference to patients. I set out to focus on women and children with a particular emphasis on cultural competence and being the best advocate for my patients. That meant that I communicated the needs and was the advocate and voice of my patient when needed.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
The most interesting story in my career is the time that I had the opportunity to leave the original hospital that I originally started as a graduate nurse. I stepped out on faith and transferred for a career advancement. After five years and an advanced degree, I applied and returned as the nurse manager to the nursing unit where I had previously worked. The lesson I learned is to step out on faith and take a chance on opportunities and advancement. Also, when you leave on good terms, you are always welcomed back with open arms and, hopefully, more wisdom and knowledge.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The mistake I learned early in my career was thinking that all families have support and resources available. I vividly remember wondering why a mother of a hospitalized patient could/would not stay overnight with her child. That was a bias that I never realized I had until I experienced it. The lesson I learned was that support systems are variable. The ability or inability to stay with a child or family member does not define true support. I was able to identify that I had a bias and addressed it head-on. Things are not always as they appear based on my life experiences. Being able to empathize with unique family dynamics made me a better clinician and a better person overall.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
My focus is emphasizing health equity and health disparities. Providing culturally competent care and addressing bias is a priority for me and my teams. This focus allows me to provide care that is equitable for the patients we serve. My specific area of focus is maternal and infant health. The disparities, especially among black women, are alarming. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders allows me to make an impact in my community and ultimately the world.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
1. Plan ahead! Govern yourself accordingly to decrease stress.
2. Communicate! Be clear and concise. Confirm and reaffirm your message is understood.
3. Make time for fitness! A healthy body leads to healthy outcomes.
4. Healthy diet! Eat well to fuel your mind and nourish your body.
5. Pray! A spiritual mind can keep you focused on what is important.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would start a movement that would allow support for mental health, anxiety, and stress management. Services would be free and offered to all. Mental health is on the rise, and it affects how we think, feel, and act. A healthy mind lends to healthy interactions and an overall state of wellness.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
- Don’t be afraid to try new things. Embrace new things to take you out of your comfort zone to blossom, boost your confidence, and learn new things. Stretch your thinking beyond your comfort zone.
- Trust in yourself. Believe that you can and will do what you set your mind to.
- Identify the lesson/takeaway when bad things happen. Take the time to identify the “lesson.” Let the lesson learned make you a better person.
- Learn from our mistakes. Give yourself grace and realize that you are not perfect. Don’t be your worst critic and don’t let mistakes stifle your growth.
- Trust your gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
Mental health is near and dear to me. After the pandemic, many feelings and emotions were realized by many who had never identified issues. Being a healthcare professional, I see mental health concerns shown at all ages and stages of life. Post-Covid effects have intensified stress and manifested emotions from many on all levels. Allowing others to identify and address emotions and insecurities allows for better interactions overall.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
I am interactive in many healthcare and community-related initiatives in the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County area. For more information about my work at MetroHealth, visit www.metrohealth.org or follow MetroHealth on social media.
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
