Before becoming a registered respiratory therapist, Olivia spent twelve years in the medical laboratory field. That chapter of her career shaped her in ways she didn’t fully realize at the time. It taught her patience, precision, and the true value of teamwork in healthcare. Her time in the lab during the COVID-19 pandemic was especially intense — exhausting, humbling, and deeply eye-opening. It was during those challenging days that Olivia began to feel a pull toward a more hands-on role with patients, wanting to be beside them rather than behind the scenes.
That realization led her to make a bold leap into respiratory therapy. Earning her license was one of the proudest moments of her life. For the past two years, she has worked in both the pediatric ICU and pediatric ER, where no two days are ever the same. Some are filled with laughter and relief, others with tears and tough lessons — but every single one reaffirms why she chose this path.
There’s something profoundly rewarding about watching a child who was struggling finally breathe easier, or seeing the tension melt from a parent’s face when they realize their baby is going to be okay. Those are the moments Olivia carries with her. They remind her that her work is about far more than ventilators and treatments — it’s about compassion, trust, and heart.
Looking back, every step — from long lab shifts to late nights in the ICU — has been worth it. The career she’s built isn’t easy, but it’s meaningful in every way. And Olivia wouldn’t trade it for anything.