From TLC to Teleporting, She’s on the Case
Janet Shoppell’s dreams of helping others took a different road than the one she originally hoped to travel.
But Shoppell, who serves as administrative assistant for the chief nursing officer and chief medical officer at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne, is happy with the path she has taken. She loves the challenges and unpredictability of her daily work life, especially the chance it gives her to serve others.
Learn more about her in her own words.
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose your career/job?
I wanted to be a nurse for sure. Then 32 years ago, I applied for a receptionist job in a plastic surgeon’s office and at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. I got a call from both on the same day and thought I would get closer to my dream as a nurse working in a hospital, so I took the receptionist job in medical records at Texas Health Fort Worth. That decision provided so many growth opportunities throughout my career and I have obtained so many skills. They may not have been clinical skills, but I guess you can say I get the privilege to take care of people in a different way.
And now I have the privilege to work at Texas Health Cleburne in the administration office, and I love it. I don’t get to clinically take care of people in my role, but I do get to take care of people in other ways. And every now and again, if they are not feeling well or having a bad day, I do something else to help, like my famous peppermint tea with honey. I love taking care of people.
What is the biggest challenge of your work?
My biggest challenge is making sure our busy executives get where they need to be on time. We all know that some meetings may run long or rounding with patients and staff can take a little longer than expected.
Today’s technology allows us to get very creative, and Teams is the new teleporting device I can use to get them across town or anywhere they need to be. I really work for the best executive team! They trust me and know that we will make it happen.
What are some of the ways you support Texas Health’s Culture of Excellence?
I love people. Anytime I get the opportunity to talk with our visitors, patients, volunteers and physicians, it really does make my day. I look for opportunities to help them or make their stay or day better. I often wish I could work with our patients and families more. If I get the opportunity to give them a little TLC, it feeds my soul. And I hope it makes them feel better, too.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Camp and spend as much time as I can with my husband, Paul, and daughter, Emily.
What is something unique about you that most people don’t know?
I tried out for the reality show “Survivor” and made it to the film interview stage.
By Jan Taylor • Posted June 1, 2021
