Becoming a dedicated caregiver while pursuing her education to become a nurse is all part of a personal mission for Kim Fogah, who transitioned away from owning and operating her own logistics business to better the lives of elderly patients in need of care and companionship.
“My personal mission is to make people’s lives just a bit better, to make the caregiving process a bit smoother and to truly be a friend to those in need,” says Kim Fogah.
That mission statement serves as a guiding light for Kim Fogah, and it’s one that’s well-known by those around her. Her own daughter told her it was time to return to school and complete her education in nursing because caregiving is what truly drives Fogah, and she wears it on her sleeve.
“Nursing was always there and the love of caretaking was always inside of me,” says Fogah.
She explains that a mission statement is important for all healthcare professionals to adopt because it serves as a guidepost as well as the ‘why’ that underpins all the work that you do. For caregivers and aspiring nurses like Kim Fogah, it supports the compassionate, empathetic and patient-centered care they strive to provide.
Mission, vision, and value statements in healthcare play a significant role in guiding patients and employees, helping patients determine where to seek care by conveying the level of care and specific approaches of a healthcare facility. These statements also help employees decide which healthcare facilities to work in, successfully aligning their values and expectations with the workplace culture.
Mission statements are also crucial in ensuring ethical care and can have a significant impact on the types of treatments provided and how healthcare is delivered.
Establishing a mission-driven culture through clear mission and vision statements can ignite passion among employees. This organizational culture engages the right people in the right roles, leading to healthier patients and a more vibrant community.
For Kim Fogah, the personal mission statement and willingness to care for others was always there, and it was realized when she cared for her own grandmother from an early age. Fogah recalls how much she enjoyed spending time with her grandmother, how she cared for her during her illness and was present, attuned and supportive throughout her life.
“That was when I knew it was my personal mission to help others and that I truly enjoy doing it to make a difference in people’s lives,” says Fogah.
She adds that while owning and operating her own logistics business for multiple years was truly rewarding and a learning experience, she was ultimately most satisfied in pursuing her mission to care for others. In fact, it was the potential of being able to care for others that prompted Kim Fogah to gravitate towards business in the first place.
Looking toward the future, Fogah says, “Taking care of my own health is a priority, and while I only recommend what I am taught in school, I do like to personally explore natural remedies and healthier ways of living.”
Simple lifestyle choices like choosing to exercise more and incorporating healthy foods into her diet is a passion that Kim Fogah shares with her family.
“I like to read about the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric and learn about the importance of hydration and other factors that contribute to healthy living,” says Fogah.
While Kim Fogah is often busy caring for others, she’s focused on caring for herself and her family so they can show up as their best and healthiest selves.
“If my patients are happy and my family is happy, then I’m happy.”
