Healthcare Hero- Rachel Edge

Rachel Edge, Respiratory Therapist

1. What is your role at CPRMC?

I am a Respiratory Therapist 

2. How long have you been employed at CPRMC?

13 years. 

3. What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?

My family has a history of lung problems. All the way from my dad, to my uncle, and even myself as a child. I had two collapsed lungs as an infant and I am now a mother to a child with asthma. It goes a long way in my family to understand the nature of the cardiopulmonary system. 

4. What is a typical day like for you? 

I get to work about 6:30AM and meet with my team to discuss our patients for the day. I spend the rest of my day treating various critical stages of patients. I can go from training a post operative patient on breathing techniques to prevent Pneumonia to managing a patient's cardiopulmonary status that is on the ventilator in a matter of minutes. As Respiratory Therapists, we are called all around the facility for both acute and chronic needs. I may be working in the ICU and then be called to the Emergency Department for a respiratory distress. No two days are the same. 

5. What are some changes you have experienced in your position? 

Team members come and go, but no matter who is here, we operate as a family. We have each other's backs which in turn provides the absolute best patient care possible, and that is one of the many things that keep us going. When COVID-19 hit, the uncertainty was profound and even crippling at times. It is only because we love our community and each other that we have survived this horrific virus.

6. What are some of your interests outside of work?

I love boating and long weekends with my husband and family. 

7. What do you enjoy most about working at CPRMC?

I love the ability to provide care to our patients. We do not treat them as numbers, or as if we are too busy to handle what comes our way. We actually care about the individuals from the community that come through our doors seeking care and we care about each other. We have great and close working relationships with our physicians, which makes it much easier to treat our patients. The collaboration here is phenomenal.