Lori Schmitt, on integrated nursing roles

November 8, 2002

Why did you become a nurse?

I became a nurse because I felt nurses were an integral part of the health care team. In addition to that, nursing was then and still is a well-respected profession.

What is the most important thing you are doing right now?

Educating health care professionals and the general public on the technology available for pain management. Our next pain management conference for nurses and allied health care professionals is Nov. 8 in Cleveland. You can e-mail painmanagement@ccf.org for a brochure or visit our Web site at www.clevelandclinic.org/painmanagement.

Tell us about some of your other projects?

In 1997, I incorporated my teaching, managed care and clinical experience into another dimension of health care as director of health care marketing for specialized groups of medical practice--podiatry and ophthalmology. My role included managed care contracting, marketing and advertising.

In this capacity, I found that the majority of our patient population was older than 65. I looked for creative ways to reach that population through combined education and marketing, and underwrote a radio show called "The Senior Connection."

What is it like doing a radio show? How has your nursing background/skills helped you in this project?

The radio show helped build relationships with the referring physicians we interviewed and helped me to understand the patient population I was marketing to. It also gave me the opportunity to lobby politicians to put senior programs in place for my own generation.

The radio show led to a cable TV show, which dealt with seniors and those who care about them. The development of a Web site [www.seniors-connection.com] for the radio show taught me yet another form of market development.

What drives you to do what you do?

Compelling patient testimonials and the caliber of the physicians I deal with. They are educators, clinicians and administrators who believe in the concept of team effort.

What or who are some of your greatest influences?

Being blessed with many mentors in my career who have seen things in me that I could not see in myself has given me opportunity and direction.

What are your plans for the future?

To always look outside the box. While that sounds cliché, it is true. I would never have achieved the things I have done without being willing to take some risks.

What do you want to say to new nurses and the nurses of the future?

There are many opportunities to combine all of your nursing skills in many areas of health care. Volunteer to do research and give inservices to your peers. Join nursing organizations and get involved. Nursing is a profession, not a job. Nurses have no idea of the impact they make on others' lives.

Would you do anything differently in your nursing career?

I would not change a thing. I can say that with confidence. One day, my life will go full circle and I may be back on nights in the emergency room or working clinically in one of the best pain management centers in the world.