SHARLENE VELEZ
Sharlene Velez is a certified mastectomy products fitter
Date published: 1/30/2008
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Town & Country provides home nursing, durable medical equipment, physical and occupational therapy, mastectomy products and more. The company, which has been in business for 14 years, has offices in Montpelier and Ashland. On the Web: ihomecare.com
DESCRIBE YOUR JOB: Velez's territory includes Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, and surrounding counties. She's worked at the company for nearly two years. Her primary job is doing mastectomy products fittings on women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. She works closely with several surgeons in Fredericksburg. The surgeons refer patients to Velez so they can discuss products to be used after breast-removal surgery. Velez often meets with patients before the surgery also. She provides emotional support and information about products and helps the women with fittings. "It is my goal to let the patient know she is not alone having this diagnosis," Velez writes. "I have to focus on giving them their shape back."
EDUCATION: Velez is certified as a mastectomy products fitter. She attends annual educational seminars for credits and also attends speeches by local physicians to learn as much as possible about breast cancer.
FAMILY: Married for nearly 20 years to Hector Velez Jr. Two kids: Brandon, 19, and Brittany, 15.
CAREER HISTORY: Has worked in the medical field for about 20 years--including nursing homes, home-health agencies, and at Mary Washington Hospital.
FIRST JOB: At a McDonald's in Fredericksburg.
WORST JOB: Sanding cars part time at an auto shop.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Stafford County.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Teacher or bus driver.
HOW DID YOU END UP AT TOWN & COUNTRY? The owner, Carol B. Norman, seemed very nice and caring in what she did.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? Seeing a survivor's face when she gets her shape back.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Getting the chance to help another person get her self-esteem and shape back.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOUR JOB? We would not have a mastectomy products service because there would never be a need for it, ever!
Date published: 1/30/2008
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