Healthcare Heroes | Kris Simons

What is your official Title?
I work as a Clinical Assistant at the Specialty Clinic where we provide Neurology & Pulmonology services. The Specialty Clinic is located inside the Medical Office Building attached to the hospital at 123 Hospital Drive, Suite 2009.

How long have you been at Watertown Regional Medical Center? Have you always been in the same position?
I’ve been in the Specialty clinic for 9 months. Prior to that I was a Clinic Coordinator at the Center for Eye Care for 39 years, which included the years before it was associated with Watertown Regional Medical Center. I started out as a receptionist and worked my way up to being the Clinic Coordinator.

What do you enjoy most about working at Watertown Regional Medical Center?
I’ve been able to work with amazing providers and co-workers. Both the Center for Eye Care and the Specialty Clinic are close-knit groups that get to know each other on a personal basis, which allows us to take better care of our patients.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
I went to school to be a medical assistant and the Center for Eye Care was my first job. I always said I wouldn’t stay at an organization if I didn’t feel like patients were getting good care. That was never an issue at Watertown Regional Medical Center.

What would you say to somebody wanting to get into your profession?
It can be difficult, but very rewarding to be in the healthcare field. You have to be willing and able to adjust to the changing guidelines and best practices so you can keep giving patients the best care possible.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I love spending time with my family, including my 3-year-old granddaughter. I also like being outdoors and enjoy camping, snowmobiling, and farming. My husband and I farm for a living so when I’m not here, I help out at home as much as I can. We have steers, soy beans, hay and corn.

What is your favorite place in the Watertown area?
My favorite place is being at home on the farm or spending time at Lebanon’s Firemans Park for band concerts and ballgames.

What does working for a CMS “Five-Star” Hospital mean to you?
Watertown is fortunate to have the services and providers we do in a smaller community so people don’t have to travel as far to get the care they need.

Why do you believe patients can Count on Watertown Regional Medical Center for quality care?
The providers enjoy what they are doing and care for their patients. Working and living in a smaller community, providers get to know their patients on a more personal level.