Meet Heather

Heather Konschak is a Home Therapies Nurse who began working for Fresenius Medical Care in January of 2001. She loves her job, working for FMCNA, and making a difference in her patient's lives.  Read on to learn how Heather plays a vital part in helping our patients perform their dialysis treatments from home!

LET’S HEAR WHAT HEATHER HAD TO SAY:

Q: Why did you join the FMCNA team?

A: Initially, I joined the FMCNA team to be a partner in caring for the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. This year will mark my 21^st year as an RN and my 20^th year working in dialysis. I have worked in InCenter, Acutes, and now Home Therapies.  I am always excited to learn new things!

Q: How do you feel that your role is a "vital part" in supporting our patients and our company?

A: Every member of our team is a “vital part” in supporting our patients and our company.  My role as a “Home Therapies Nurse” or “Nurse Educator” is just as “vital” as the “lifeline” that dialyzes the patients!  I take my job very seriously. We are providing the patient knowledge to perform a lifesaving treatment independently!  We continue to support them as they go home. We become a “vital part” of their life!  My role is a vital part of our company because they need us!  The company survives because of  Doctors, Nurses, PCT’s, Biomeds, Social Workers, Registered Dieticians are making it happen every day….even through a pandemic.  We show up for the patients and the company to SAVE LIVES!  We are a TEAM!  We are Strong!

Q: Describe an experience or feeling that stands out when thinking of your career with FMCNA?

A: The caregivers at FMCNA have a powerful effect in the day to day lives of our patients and their communities. I feel blessed to have a job that I can come to every day and know that I am helping people every day. Whether it’s through training, checking in on a patient, educating about new modalities, or a simple…”Hi, how are you?” It all matters! My patients have taught me so much about life through stories of their experiences. When I leave work and recap my day on my drive home I can always find the good in the day!

Dialysis can be a tough business. People either love it or hate it! I chose to stay because it challenges me and I can see the difference it makes in my patients. It is a lifesaving business. We save lives! We help people through the most difficult time in their life! I chose FMCNA for the opportunities that they have given me. I have goals. They help me achieve my goals and they will help you too! Just be open to the opportunity.

Q: Do you feel that you have a powerful effect in your role? If so, how?

A: Yes!  I am respected as a member of the team, but my I believe the most powerful effect is in the eyes of the patients!  We give them the tools to take care of themselves at home!

Q: Have you experienced professional growth with personal meaning in your role? If so, how?

A: Yes, I have been able to learn two new modalities, and lots of new skills!  It keeps me interested and I love learning!  FMCNA provides training to its nurses changing modalities; virtual and in-person preceptors.

Q: Do you feel you or your team/department leads, innovates, succeeds? If so, how?

A: Yes, our team is embarking on untouched territory.  We are growing home….rapidly.  We are leading the way with growing our team, training in new roles, and we are succeeding by working a team with lots of collaboration, hard work and respect for one another!

Q: Do you feel that your role allows you to be a partner in caring? If so how?

A: Yes, I am a partner in caring every day to every patient!  We are a team partnering in the care of each patient! How awesome!  Actually, our boss calls us “Team Awesome” at times!

About Fresenius Medical Care

We have become a global leader in healthcare because of the unwavering dedication our people bring to work every day. Whether that means developing new-to-market dialysis technology or educating patients, our team touches the lives of more than 190,000 patients through innovative care and profound, personal connections.

With Fresenius Medical Care North America, you will “be the difference,” enabling patients to thrive, providing comfort to families, supporting coworkers so they can realize their goals, compelling our company to achieve through innovation and performance, and driving the development of your career.

Our team is made up of over 70,000 dedicated employees in North America. All of them focus on being the difference and delivering the highest-quality care to people with kidney disease – helping them to lead longer, better, and healthier lives.