Sarnetta Bradshaw will retire on July 3.
Sarnetta Bradshaw, surgery aide, finds fulfillment in service both at work and at home. Sarnetta started her journey at Akron Children’s 35 years ago in Environmental Services (EVS) before moving into a surgical aide position in 1999. From her EVS work in the NICU to comforting patients heading to the operating room (OR), Sarnetta’s positive attitude has served her well throughout her career.
“Come to work every day with a positive attitude,” Sarnetta said. That optimism was appreciated by her co-workers. “Sarnetta will be missed by many,” shared Bonnie Humiston, clinical coordinator. “It has been a joy and a pleasure to work with her for so many years. We will all miss her coordinating socks and hats and all her ‘bling.’ She never came to work mismatched! She loved making the kids going back for surgery smile!”
When she’s not at Akron Children’s, Sarnetta devotes much of her time to her church. “I found my calling at the People’s Baptist Church on Vernon Odem Boulevard,” she said. Her husband Larry is a minister at the church, and Sarnetta is active in the choir and praise team.
As Sarnetta prepares to retire on July 3, she’s looking forward to spending more time with her husband and at her church.
What brought you to Children’s? Who gave you your start?
I moved from Chicago to Akron in 1986 to be near my family. I was looking for a job and came to Akron Children’s Human Resources department and completed an application. It was a long time ago. Cecilia Dugan was the receptionist who took my application. I was hired by Shirley Brown for a job in environmental services.
What was going on in your life then?
When I first moved here, I began looking for something to better things in my life. I began visiting different churches in the area to see what spoke to me.
Other than new buildings and construction, how has Akron Children’s changed since you started here?
The size of the organization has grown significantly. Everything is now computerized. I never had much exposure to computers when I was younger, but as the use of computers and cellphones increased, I needed to learn more about how to use them.
What gave you the most satisfaction at work?
The people I work with and the patients who I interact with in the hallways. I have always tried to make an upset child coming into the OR for surgery smile. Sometimes, I would hold their hand and walk with them and the nurse; other times I might sing to them or make funny faces. Sometimes it made them smile, sometimes it didn’t. I have met a lot of good people working here and will miss seeing them every day!
Do you have any advice for people just starting at Children’s?
Just take it one day at a time. Health care in general can be stressful no matter what job you are doing. But if you enjoy what you are doing, you won’t even realize you have been here 35 years!
What do you look forward to the most in retirement?
Spending time with my husband Larry, if I can get him to finally retire! He keeps telling me later this year. I also look forward to spending more time at church and more time with my close friends. I sing in the choir and am on the praise team at church. I look forward to being able to devote more time to this as well.
What is a personal or professional goal or a dream you achieved while working at Akron Children’s?
I found and married my best friend! He is a minister at the church we attend. I was able to finally have my dream wedding with my friends and family in attendance. I even had a couple of my close co-workers in the wedding. It was a very special day that I will never forget.
What couldn’t you live without?
I couldn’t live without the word of God, a positive word from the Bible and the love of my husband.
What music do you like? Where and how do you listen to it?
I like to listen to gospel music, particularly gospel jazz. I listen to it all the time – at home, in the car and at lunch.
What’s the last book you read? What’s the last movie you saw?
The last book I read was “The Daily Bread.” It is daily devotional that assists in interpreting scripture into easy-to-understand context. I read it every day. The last movie I saw was “Straw.” It’s about a single mom who is struggling with immense hardships and has to do whatever it takes to survive.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time at church, going shopping and spending time with my husband and family.
