Stephanie Adamski, our EEG Clinical Manager, is the lead singer for the band Midheaven, and they were recently selected as a finalist in “The Big Break” contest! Winners will receive a fully-produced music video, live and studio recorded tracks, and a live photo shoot.
The first step of the competition is a public voting contest. Those with the most votes will then progress to a 3-night Battle of the Bands competition. Stephanie has a phenomenal voice and has dedicated 8 years of her life to this band. To show her some support, vote for Midheaven by clicking here. You are allowed to vote once every day. Please also feel free to share the link with anyone else who may want to show support!
What made you decide to join the healthcare field initially and what led you to the EEG profession?
Well, I’ve always enjoyed helping people, and being a caregiver is in my nature. I like to solve problems and I’ve always found the human brain interesting. When I was unable to afford a 4-year college, I went to a few open houses at some local colleges after completing my first two years in a community college. It was here that I was introduced to the field of Allied Health. Through my original pursuit of trying to get into a radiology program, I was waitlisted and introduced to Neurodiagnostic Technology. After doing some research and realizing I could still have a career where I felt like I was needed, I decided to attend the 2-year degree program for Neurodiagnostic Technology instead.
How long have you been an EEG Clinical Manager and how long have you been with SpecialtyCare?
I became a CM in 2017, but I have been with SpecialtyCare for 8 years.
How would you describe the role you and your team of EEG Technologists perform on a daily basis?
EEG is used to identify a number of conditions what would require medical intervention. It can also aid physicians in the process of dialing in anti-epileptic medications, provide real time data about brain function for stroke, seizure, and post-surgical patients, and is used to determine the presence of anoxic brain injury or subclinical status epilepticus.
Our techs interact with patients to set up and record this data, often navigating difficult anatomical landscapes, frightened or agitated patients, patients with significantly reduced cognition due to brain injury, and have been present with patients’ family members during testing and even when patients unfortunately pass away. It’s our job to go into all of these situations, and more, to collect viable data that will be used to diagnose and treat our patients.
We use an electrode array that is secured to the patient’s head one at a time and conduct activation procedures and use elements of basic neuro exams to send these electrical signals to differential amplifiers that produce a visual read out. It takes special people to be accurate, effective, timely and compassionate, as well as informative, comforting, and determined to navigate all the variables at play to effectively run these diagnostics. I am fortunate to work with our SpecialtyCare team to accomplish these objectives every day.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I enjoy knowing that when I get out of bed and go to work every day that I’m providing a valuable service to the people who are in need of it.
How do you find work/life balance and time for your passions outside of work?
I think finding a work/life balance can be difficult for anyone in the medical field. We provide services 24 hour a day, 7 days a week. We are always in demand and always needed. I think some weeks you’ll find it hard to carve out time with any energy you have left, and other weeks may feel like a breeze. You have to know yourself and know your limits. You have to be able to plan for when things are busy and for when things are slow. You just do the best you can every day. When I have time, I enjoy music, dogs, craft shows, concerts, and all sorts of things.
Do you find any overlapping themes in your work life and your music life?
Always! Your band is your team. The songs you write and sounds you make are your data output to the world. You have to talk to all sorts of people, navigate difficult situations, and deal with circumstance that are often beyond your control. But, you find a way. You have fun while you can and hope that others who come across the things you have created find value in it as well.
There are also a number of overlapping technical features between my work and my music. Electricity, for one! Sound has frequencies just like the brain. Artifact and equipment issues, sound distortion, and noisy channels can make or break your performance on a stage or in an ICU room.
Vote for Midheaven
Don’t forget to support Stephanie and her band in “The Big Break” contest! You can cast your daily vote for Midheaven by clicking here.
About SpecialtyCare
SpecialtyCare is a people company, dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience, becoming the OR employer of choice, and leading the way in OR innovation.