Sisters provide care for the community at LMH Health
For Jen Lemus and Rebecca Stockton, nursing is something that runs in these sisters’ blood.
“My mom, my sister and five aunts are all nurses,” Lemus said. “I started out as a teacher at Cordley and Sunflower Elementary Schools, but it happened. I got drawn into nursing, too.”
She began her career at LMH Health 20 years ago, beginning her journey as a patient tech. She progressed through the ranks as a nurse and now works as the director of the emergency department.
Rebecca Stockton and Jen Lemus
“When I came to work at LMH, Joan Harvey interviewed me and told me that if I interned here as I was getting my degree at Washburn, she’d consider me as a new graduate nurse,” Lemus said. “That’s how I got my foot in the door.”
Stockton has worked in healthcare for a number of years, starting out as a CNA and then an LPN. She’s been an RN for the past 28 years, spending the majority of her career working as a dialysis nurse, including time traveling between 18 dialysis facilities in different states.
“Jen kept talking about LMH and how wonderful it was, and I wanted to work in the community and close to home,” Stockton said. “She loved it and I wanted to be here. It’s fun to work in the same place.”
Stockton began her career at LMH Health eight years ago and works as the clinical nursing manager in the Endoscopy Center. She loves working in outpatient services and the variety of patients she sees.
“We care for patients getting infusions upstairs in the Treatment and Procedure Center,” she said. “I love the procedural part of the work we do in endoscopy, and I also get to work with the pain management team. It’s a great environment.”
While they weren’t close growing up as sisters, both agree that being able to see each other at work each day is something they look forward to.
“We check on each other and meet for lunch when we can. I love being able to see each other in the hallway or pop into Rebecca’s office just to say hi,” Lemus said.
Why work at LMH Health?
You don’t always get to work for the same organization as a sibling, but these sisters say that they love having that opportunity at LMH Health.
“I preach family first, then education and work,” Lemus said. “When you get to see your family at work, you know they’re okay and safe. And when you’re happier, you get more work done.”
Stockton loves the size of the health system and its community feel.
“Anywhere you get to work with your family is nice. It’s a bonus that I get to have Jen here with me,” she said.
LMH Health isn’t only a great place to work, it’s one the sisters trust to provide their healthcare.
“I’ve reached the age where it’s time for me to have a colonoscopy. While I know I could go anywhere to get it, I know these people and know that I’ll get great care at LMH Health. The bonus is that I get to have my sister with me for support and a ride home,” Stockton said with a grin.
Lemus agreed.
“Everyone at LMH Health is here to take care of you,” she said. “We’ve got that family feeling here and we can show it.”
