Meet Susan

Susan Ostrzycki is a Clinical Consultant with NxStage.  Susan started with us in 2004 after her husband was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).  Working in-center on the front lines helped her learn as much as she could about kidney disease, and while she did leave to pursue more opportunities and challenges, she returned back to us when Fresenius Medical Care acquired NxStage in 2019, a match made in the heavens! Read on to learn more of Susan's journey and passion, which also extends to her daughter! 

LET’S HEAR WHAT SUSAN HAD TO SAY:

Q: What made you initially choose Fresenius Medical Care as an employer?

A: I first decided to work for Fresenius Medical Care in 2004, when my husband was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). I wanted to learn all I could about kidney disease and the options available to us if his condition worsened. I figured working as an incenter staff nurse would place me on the front lines of dealing with this disease so we could make good decisions regarding his care.

Q: What played into your decision to leave FMCNA?

A: I left FMCNA to do Acutes, Peritoneal Dialysis, and Plasmapheresis at our local hospital. I wanted to be challenged to broaden my skills and knowledge base. This was my first exposure to a home modality.

Q: What opportunities did you pursue outside of FMCNA? Please speak to what impact this experience had on you/how it compared to your time at FMCNA.

A: Hospital dialysis demanded more knowledge of the disease process and its management. It also required more interaction with the Nephrologist. I had to stay on top of what was going on with every patient I dialyzed in order to optimize their care. I became an in-house Renal Educator for the hospital as well during my time working with Acutes.

Q: You are now back at FMCNA – how did that happen?  Please speak to what lead you back to FMCNA.

A: Every time I went into the ICU units to dialyze my patients, I took a Nephrology News and Issues journal, or I would print off dialysis related articles from “Up To Date”, our hospital educational resource. There was usually plenty of down time after I initiated treatment, so I would read about the latest cutting-edge dialysis innovations while monitoring my patient’s long dialysis treatments. For 3 years, while doing Acutes, I read about a new hemodialysis machine that patients could use in their home. I read about all the many health and quality of life benefits it boasted. I began thinking about how this home modality would better suit my husband’s lifestyle. I asked my Nephrologists about it and encouraged them to consider using it in our area. While doing an Acute in ICU one day, I got a call from one of my favorite Nephrologists asking if I would be interested in becoming his very first HHD nurse.  

Q: What impacted your decision to return to FMCNA?

A: I truly felt this opportunity was a divine appointment. I embraced this new challenge with gusto and trained around 30 HHD patients on the NxStage System One Cycler over the next few years at FMC North Alabama Home. I went on to work for the NxStage machine company, training nurses all over Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama to train patients to do HHD. When Fresenius Medical Care, the largest dialysis company in the world, acquired NxStage in 2019, I (was) thrilled at the unprecedented potential to grow HHD beyond my wildest dreams. I once again became an FMC Employee and joined forces with them to impact the dialysis world for the better.

Q: What has your transition back into FMCNA been like?  Are you happy to be back?  If so, why?

A: I truly feel like I am at the right place at the right time. Everything I have learned in my 14 years of dialysis experience has brought me to my finest hours in my career. My sweet spot is without a doubt HHD, and I am working for a company that has aligned its HHD growth goals with my passion. My career motto has and forever will be “NxStage for all who want to reap its many benefits!”

Q: What would you say to someone considering a return to FMCNA?

A: I highly recommend working at Fresenius Medical Care. Especially home therapies. It has never been more exciting than it is right now. My very own daughter has recently accepted a HHD training nurse position at FMC Huntsville, AL. It makes my heart sing to see that her beautiful spacious home clinic has magnificently replaced the tiny HHD area allotted to me as the first HHD nurse at FMC North Alabama. Two generations, fulfilling our passions to help dialysis patients experience the “Sunny Side” of dialysis. Home Dialysis.

Quotes: 

My sweet spot is without a doubt HHD, and I am working for a company that has aligned its HHD growth goals with my passion. My career motto has and forever will be “NxStage for all who want to reap its many benefits!”

When Fresenius Medical Care, the largest dialysis company in the world, acquired NxStage in 2019, I (was) thrilled at the unprecedented potential to grow HHD beyond my wildest dreams. I once again became an FMC Employee and joined forces with them to impact the dialysis world for the better.

I truly feel like I am at the right place at the right time. Everything I have learned in my 14 years of dialysis experience has brought me to my finest hours in my career.

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.

Why Join our team?

• Rated as one of Forbes’ U.S. Best Employers
• Paid one-on-one training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(K) and much more