Community Spotlight: Meet Shadae
At Poplar, we love introducing members of our community to one another. We have chosen to feature our members in the “Community Spotlight” section of our monthly newsletter, the Poplar Pulse. This gives each of us a way to learn about others in the online Poplar Community and to feel more connected with one another. It opens our eyes to what others are going through and to what each of us has to offer. This includes those living with a chronic lung condition, their caregivers, as well as healthcare professionals.
This month, we are happy to introduce Shadae (pronounced Sha-Day). Shadae is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and a Certified Respiratory Educator whom we met not long after the pandemic. Since then, Shadae has been a welcoming and supportive presence in our community as she shares her expertise to support those living with chronic lung conditions. Let’s meet Shadae.
Poplar: What do you enjoy the most about your profession?
Shadae: What I enjoy most about my profession is being able to connect with all types of different people. I love hearing people's stories and being inspired by their lung health journey. It's also amazing to see the advances in the lung health world and the positive impact it's having on individuals.
Poplar: You work in a “caring profession”, how do you know when you’ve made a difference in someone’s care or influenced their life for the better?
Shadae: I know I’ve made a difference in someone’s care when taking the time to talk, understand, and educate actually improves their day-to-day life. In my practice, I often have more time with patients, and in those moments, something as simple as refining inhaler technique can make a real difference in symptom control and how they manage their condition.The most rewarding part is seeing their breathing tests improve and getting phone calls from patients telling me how much better they’re feeling.
Poplar: How did you end up working in the field of respiratory care?
Shadae: After high school, I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had a friend in the Respiratory Therapy program and, without knowing much about it, I applied and got in. I basically went in blind. I was never someone who naturally gravitated toward the medical field, so a lot of my family and friends were pretty surprised.As it turns out, I had a knack for it and ended up falling in love with the field. It definitely challenged me, but with each experience, I grew and became a better RT.
After graduating, I realized the clinic setting was more my style, compared with acute care. It gave me the chance to really connect with people, have meaningful conversations, and make an impact in a different way than in the hospital.
I’m really grateful I ended up in an amazing field I once knew nothing about!
If you are looking to connect with others who are living with a chronic lung condition or other healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the lung health of others, join our free online Poplar Community or reach out to us at 236-361-3480 with questions. We are here to help and we’d love to meet you! Call or email us at poplar@poplarpulmonary.com to book a free 15-minute Welcome session today.