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ABOUT THE COMPANY: Town
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!
DESCRIBE YOUR WORST DAY ON THE JOB.
WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR JOB? The emotional aspect of my job. I laugh and cry with them.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE AT WORK ? Making phone calls to patients to schedule appointments, requesting prescriptions, packing a suitcase and heading out the door to meet clients at a boutique or in their homes. I spend valuable time with the client going from one to another appointment. Then I return to the office, verify insurance and start thinking about tomorrow.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS TRYING TO ENTER THIS FIELD? Do this from the heart, make it something you love to do every day!
--As told to Bill Freehling
