Meet Kia

Kia Vallas has been with Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) for 17 years!  Kia began her career with FMCNA as a Patient Care Technician, over the years she transitioned to become a Team Leader, Charge Nurse, Clinical Manager, and now a Clinical Educator.  Learn how Kia's professional growth has had personal meaning. 

LET’S HEAR WHAT KIA HAD TO SAY:

Q: Why did you join the FMCNA team?

A: When I joined Fresenius Medical Care North America, I was just starting nursing school.  I was looking for a job that would give me hands-on clinical experience while allowing me to continue my schooling. I not only found flexibility for school, but also the support from my leaders and team. I was able to learn with hands on experience while completing my courses. 

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

A: I have held many roles and feel that they are all important and vital to the company. My current role as a Regional Education Manager is to educate, train and support our employees throughout their careers with Fresenius Medical Care North America. Our goal in education is to create a culture of lifelong learning which positively impacts patient care, job satisfaction and retention. In order to give the very best patient care, we must have employees that are confident and competent in their roles. I have always been passionate about education and I love being part of this team.

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

A: When I started with Fresenius Medical Care North America as a PCT, I had no idea what my professional career would look like. I had received a scholarship from a local hospital and was planning to work for them upon graduating from nursing school.  I remember when I took my board exam my dialysis patients were so excited for me.  Every day they would ask me if I had gotten my test results.  When I found out that I passed, my colleagues and patients were so supportive and happy for me. It was during that time that I realized that I wanted to continue to work with my dialysis patients, now as their nurse. My Director of Operations bought out my contract with the local hospital so that I could continue my career with Fresenius Medical Care North America.

I have been given so many opportunities to grow professionally over the years. I’ve worked in both the incenter and inpatient settings. Prior to my current role, I worked as a Team Leader, Charge Nurse, Clinical Manager and Clinical Educator. About a year ago, I decided to go back to school to work on a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Fresenius Medical Care North America offers amazing benefits, and tuition reimbursement is just one example of how this company invests in their employees. I love working in the specialty of nephrology, and I am so very proud to work for Fresenius Kidney Care. I have met the most amazing people over the past 17 years.  I wanted to be a nurse to be able to make a difference, and Fresenius Medical Care North America has given me that opportunity.

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.