South Mag South Issue 71 | Page 87

MARY MARY DUNN OCCUPATION: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE TRIAGE EMPLOYED: UROLOGICAL ASSOCIATES OF SAVANNAH BIRTHPLACE: SAVANNAH, GA EDUCATION: SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE Mary Dunn’s future in medicine was sealed one fateful day in 1989, when her father was struck down by a heart attack. Standing in the emergency room, watching the purposeful precision of the doctors and nurses, Mary thought to herself, “This is what I am going to do.” She was halfway through high school and she’d just made one of the biggest decisions of her life. It’s a decision she’s stuck by. “This is a pretty dirty job. If you can’t get dirty, this isn’t for you.” LACEY LACEY THOMPSON OCCUPATION: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE EMPLOYED: SOUTHCOAST HEALTH PEDIATRICS HOMETOWN: MONTICELLO, GA EDUCATION: SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE Sometimes, working with kids has its benefits. “I basically get to be a big kid all day,” said Lacey Thompson. Decorating the office, wearing funny hats and basically doing anything to get a smile are all part of the job. In pediatrics, you have to care not only for the kids, but sometimes for the parents, too, who need reassurance that they’re doing the right thing. And sometimes, Lacey finds, she is that parent. “My kids don’t even go camping, but if they catch a cold, I immediately think they have a rare disease from fungus. It’s because I have that clinical mindset.” It’s hard to have a bad day when you get to play with and nurture kids as your career. JANUARY / FE B RUARY 2018 87