In the dynamic world of healthcare technology, Christine Emery stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and adaptability. As a nurse turned healthcare technology leader, her journey exemplifies the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines the Women Who Lead Healthcare initiative.
From Bedside to Business
Christine’s path in healthcare began in 2010 when she graduated nursing school and dove straight into critical care. “I really enjoyed caring for those high acuity patients,” she reflects. “The more drips and infusions, the more fun and challenging the work.” Her natural aptitude for mathematics and science, coupled with her father’s encouragement, led her to pursue nursing – a decision that would shape her future in unexpected ways.
During her time in the ICU, Christine quickly distinguished herself as a leader. “After being a nurse in the unit for about a year, I became a preceptor helping new unit nurses onboard to our high acuity patient population,” she explains. She found particular fulfillment in mentoring new nurses, teaching them critical thinking skills, and helping them navigate complex patient care scenarios.
Transitioning to Healthcare Technology
After seven years of intensive care experience, Christine made a pivotal career shift when an opportunity in the healthcare technology industry presented itself. Now at Monarch Medical Technologies for over four years, she has carved out a unique role that combines clinical expertise with business acumen.
“My role is a blend of clinical, business, and sales, which is fun and challenging,” she shares.
As a Customer Success Manager and Team Lead, Christine’s responsibilities are multifaceted.
“My primary objective in my role is to partner with my client base by helping them understand the functionality of our solutions, evaluating their glycemic metrics, and being able to focus on opportunities for learning and growth while still fostering continued success,” she explains. In July 2023, she took on additional leadership responsibilities as the team lead for her department.
Overcoming Career Setbacks with Grace
Christine’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Early in her transition to the medical device industry, she faced a significant setback when company restructuring led to widespread layoffs.
“That was very hard to absorb because I’ve always been an overachiever and a hard worker,” she shares. Rather than letting this derail her ambitions, she used the experience as a catalyst for growth.
During this period, she dedicated herself to applying for other medical device positions, using each interview as a learning opportunity. “I actually learned a lot from several of those clinicians I interviewed with, even though I did not get the job. I learned a lot about developing client rapport and portraying confidence,” she reflects. These skills would prove invaluable in her future roles.
Breaking Through Personal Barriers
Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of Christine’s journey is her transformation from a reserved student to a confident healthcare leader. “If you had told me in high school that I would be presenting on a regular basis in front of important hospital system stakeholders, I would not have believed it,” she admits. “I was the timid student who would gladly have done all the work if someone else would present the content.”
Today, she has worked hard to develop her professional presentation skills, regularly conducting presentations and handling complex clinical questions in real time. This growth mindset extends to all aspects of her work: “You can always learn new skills and work hard to become an expert.”
The Impact of Education and Mentorship
Christine’s educational background at Bob Jones University provided her with more than just clinical knowledge. “Having that liberal arts education really did allow me to have a wide variety of vast knowledge of different topics,” she notes. One particularly impactful lesson from her education continues to guide her work:
“You never want to put yourself in a position where people will question if you did something right or wrong. Always put yourself in a position where you showed that you did right and you did it to the best of your ability.”
Cultural Heritage and Professional Identity
Beyond her professional achievements, Christine maintains a deep connection to her heritage, speaking Spanish daily with her 90-year-old grandmother, who immigrated from Cuba in the 1970s. “She’s my hero and I am in awe of her sacrifice that allowed me to pursue a career where I can help others,” Christine shares.
This bilingual ability has enhanced her capacity to serve diverse patient populations throughout her career, particularly during her bedside nursing days when she was often assigned Spanish-speaking patients.
Contributing to Healthcare’s Future
In her current role, Christine continues to drive positive change in healthcare by leveraging her bedside nursing experience to improve clinician workflows and reduce nursing workload burdens. “When you think about how nursing staffs the majority of the hospital, the experience that I have working at the bedside, bringing that into healthcare will help shed some light for a lot of other departments,” she explains.
Words of Wisdom
Christine’s commitment to transparency and integrity remains unwavering: “In a world where deception is pervasive, honesty and integrity will always stand the test of time as desirable qualities.”
She encourages others facing career challenges to remember that “experience is a hard but good teacher and every situation is a learning one. You don’t know until you try.”
Christine Emery’s journey demonstrates the transformative power of perseverance in healthcare leadership. Her story inspires the next generation of healthcare leaders to embrace challenges, pursue growth, and maintain authenticity in their professional journey.