Michelle Reyes initially had some reservations about pursuing the clinical manager’s position she now holds at Memorial Hospital Miramar, with concerns about leaving the bedside after more than a decade of providing care there. But circumstances at that time, including COVID-19, provided her an opportunity to take on the leadership role, and she’s glad she did.

“Patients in the outpatient lab and infusion area aren’t as sick as those in the hospital, but the service and care we provide is just as important,” said Reyes, a native of the Philippines. “We want to wow them from ‘hello.’”

Reyes comes from a family of nurses and has been providing care within Memorial Healthcare System since 2009. She has had extended stints in three of its hospitals during that time, including Memorial Hospital Miramar twice. “Miramar feels like home, not a job. We prioritize patient care, safety and our employees, and that resonates with me.”