MVWH Celebrates Dedicated Employees
Two Dedicated Employees Celebrated by MVWH
Miami Valley Women’s Health is celebrating two long-term employees, Registered Nurse Patty Seibert and Medical Center Representative Melissa Smith.
Smith has worked for the office for 18 years, and Seibert has worked there for 27 years. Seibert plans to retire in March, just shy of her 28-year anniversary in April.
Both women shared some insight into their years of employment. Read their answers below.
Patty Seibert, RN
What is your role at the practice? Has this been your role during the entire time you have worked at Miami Valley Women’s Health (MVWH)?
I am a registered nurse. I started as a staff nurse, and though my title is now nurse manager, I feel that we are all a team and all work together here.
When did you first start working at MVWH?
I first started here in 1988.
How did you first come to work for MVWH?
Dr. James Horlacher shared an office space with a physician I used to work for, and we got to know each other that way. We also knew each other because our kids played sports together. In 1981, I had to have a surgery done that Dr. Horlacher performed, and he let me know that he needed a replacement nurse in his office. Then, one day while I was out of the house, he called, and my husband answered. He told my husband he wanted to offer me the job, and my husband accepted for me and asked when I could start. I respected Dr. Horlacher immensely, because we had worked in the shared office space together, so really, for me it was a no-brainer to come here to work for him.
When you started, did you expect to stay in the same job for such a long stretch of time?
I don’t think it ever crossed my mind. I started out knowing I’d be working with Dr. Horlacher, and I’ve always worked with him, so I just never thought about leaving.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The providers I work for are fantastic. My coworkers – they make it a great place to work. Also, the satisfaction I get from helping the patients. Some of the patients have been here as long as I have. They know me; we know them. It’s like a family here, and I get a lot of satisfaction from that. Overall, it’s been the best experience I’ve ever had – the best job I’ve ever had. I used to work in a hospital before, and I wanted to go to an office job because my girls were smaller, and I wanted to spend holidays and weekends with them. I thought this job would be the best for them. It was, and I’ve never looked back.
What has made the practice a great place to work for so many years?
I learned a lot here. The providers are very informative. If I have questions, they explain things to me, so every day I learn something new here. I just love it here. I’ve never thought about leaving the whole time I’ve been here.
What comes to mind when you think about the patients?
I would say the satisfaction I get from helping the patients. Some of the patients have been here as long as I have. They know me; we know them. It’s like a family here, and I get a lot of satisfaction from that.
How has the practice changed through the years?
We have become quite a bit busier, and since we’ve started using EPIC and things have become computerized, things have really changed. There have been lots of advances in technology.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy going to my grandson’s sporting events – soccer tournaments, basketball games and soccer games. I also like to travel, when there’s time.
What do you look forward to about your job in the future?
I look forward to finishing up what I started here. I will be retiring in March. It’s going to be sad to leave here – to leave the people I work for and work with. It’s been more than just having coworkers; we’re family here. I have such a sense of pride and accomplishment to be finishing my career working for Dr. Horlacher. He’s been a great teacher, a great friend, and a great person to work for – I couldn’t ask for better, that’s for sure.
Melissa Smith, MCR
What is your role at the practice? Has this been your role during the entire time you have worked at Miami Valley Women’s Health (MVWH)?
I am a medical center representative. I help patients with check out and do other things at the front desk, including check-ins and insurance verification. I have been in the same position the whole time I have worked here.
When did you first start working at MVWH?
I joined the practice in 1997.
How did you first come to work for MVWH?
I worked for another OB/Gyn office, and one of the nurses at that practice left and came here. She called me one day and said there was a position open. She thought I would be interested in working here, and I was.
When you started, did you expect to stay in the same job for such a long stretch of time?
When I first started, I don’t know that I expected to be here this long. But, I’m glad I am still here because I’m happy.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I would say the people I work with and our patients. We have so much love and respect for each other here. It’s really like a second family.
What has made the practice a great place to work for so many years?
I worked at another office before coming here, and there are offices where you can tell that people don’t respect one another and don’t get along. But here, we get along great and help each other out when we need something.
What comes to mind when you think about the patients?
We are here because our patients need us. We have a high standard of customer service, and our patients come back to us for care because we treat them with respect.
How has the practice changed through the years?
We’re much, much busier than what we were when I first joined the practice. When I first started, it was just Dr. Horlacher and two midwives. Now, we have four doctors and two nurse practitioners, so it’s much busier than when I first started.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy scrapbooking and really just relaxing. I also love to go on cruises.
What do you look forward to about your job in the future?
I look forward to seeing and being a part of the practice as it continues to grow.
Thank you Patty and Melissa for your dedication and service!
