As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re spotlighting our caregivers, the diversity they bring and the difference they make at UT Health East Texas.
Carola Erwin knew from a young age that healthcare was her calling.
Erwin fondly remembers sitting around the television set with her family watching the TV series Julia, which earned actress Diahann Carroll an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe in 1969 for her pioneering role as nurse Julia Baker.
“She was an African-American lady and she was a nurse on that show. When I looked at her and looked at the show, I could see she was beautiful inside and out and I could see the love and compassion as a young child,” Erwin said.
Seeing someone who looked like her portraying a nurse on TV set the stage for Erwin’s aspiration for a career in healthcare.
Erwin started in the Food Services Department at the Tyler hospital, working in the dish room.
“The job that was presented to me wasn’t the one I really wanted, but I felt like if I get on the inside, I can get to the job I want,” she said. “I thought about Julia and I thought I can see patients and show love and compassion the way she did.”
Even though it wasn’t her ideal job, she relied on the advice of her father. “My dad always told me, ‘Whatever you’re doing, do your best. And never complain when you’re working. Remember, they hired you to do a job and you do it well.’”
She did just that and was persistent about talking to her supervisor about opportunities to advance in the organization, eventually moving out of food services and into a job as a clinical diet technician.
“The patients were on restrictive diets and they weren’t always happy about that, but I had the opportunity to be face to face with the patient and show love and compassion,” Erwin said. “I was so happy. It brought me great joy.”
Erwin’s career path took her back through the food services department and ultimately landed her in her current position as a care coordinator – her really happy place because of the interaction with patients, making sure their care needs are met during their hospital stay and connecting them with a primary care physician if they don’t have one to meet their needs after discharge.
“It gives me great joy to bring comfort during challenging times. When you’re in the hospital, those are challenging times,” she said. “This job, it’s not about me. It’s about them and what I can do for them. I love to serve.”
That sentiment translates in to the advice Erwin said she would give those considering entering healthcare as a career.
“The first thing I would say is healing is a journey. The experience and opportunities are priceless, but if you serve others unconditionally, the rewards are everlasting,” she said.