Healthcare Heroes | Lorena Aguero

What is your official Title?
Medical Assistant/Clinical Support for the General Surgery Clinic.

How long have you been at Watertown Regional Medical Center? Have you always been in the same position?
I’ve been at Watertown Regional Medical Center for 2 years and have been in the same position the whole time. My first job in healthcare though was at the UW Digestive Health Clinic from 2018 to 2019 which was my first job after graduating from Madison College.

What do you enjoy most about working at Watertown Regional Medical Center?
I love the environment/community feel and how you get the opportunity to build relationships with your patients. That's something you didn't get as much at a larger hospital like UW.

I also enjoy working with my co-workers and working with and learning from Dr. Fleming and Dr. Dachman because they are both down to earth and amazing at what they do.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
I would always go with my mom to appointments because she doesn’t speak the best English. These visits made me me want to get into the healthcare field and have the opportunity to help others so I got on the waiting list at Madison College.

What would you say to somebody wanting to get into your profession?
I highly recommend  being a Medical Assistant/Clinical Support because you get the best of both worlds. You get to do reception work (answering phones, plugging information into the computer, scheduling patients) and clinical work (rooming patients, taking blood pressure, sitting in on minor procedures). No two days are ever the same.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I enjoy going for walks with my son and I just got into DIY projects. One of my favorites is making fleece tie blankets.

What is your favorite place in the Watertown area?
I love visiting Riverside Park and sitting by the river.

What does working for CMS “Five-Star” Hospital mean to you?
It makes me proud to work at a hospital that's in the top 14% of all hospitals in the U.S and it makes me feel good about recommending the hospital I work at to all of my family members. I am proud to work here and it makes me happy to know that I contribute to providing great care and a great experience for our patients.

Why do you believe patients can Count on Watertown Regional Medical Center for quality care?
We provide great patient care. I gave birth here in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the nurses in the OB unit were amazing. They were there for me the entire time when I couldn’t have additional visitors. As a former patient you can count on this hospital.

What is one thing you’re doing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
I got vaccinated and encouraged friends and family to get vaccinated as well. I feel everybody should get vaccinated if they have the opportunity to do so. I also make sure to wear my mask in situations that dictate it, avoid large crowds, and continue to practice good hand hygiene.