A nursing career filled with putting patients and people first
Through 40 years of nursing at UT Southwestern, Barbara Lohrenz, A.D.N., has adapted to change, holding various roles in different departments. But two things have remained constant – her love for patients and appreciation of everyone she has worked with.
Raised in Nigeria before moving to Texas, Ms. Lohrenz began her career in a ½û·¬¶¯Âþ emergency room in 1984. Since 2002, she has specialized in working in the Dialysis Department.
“Dialysis patients come back over and over again, so you really get to know them, and building those relationships gives me great satisfaction,” she says.
Understanding their struggles and showing kindness are important for the patients’ success, and Ms. Lohrenz takes great care to make sure they feel seen as people. One time she even played an uplifting song for a patient who was feeling down about her treatment, which brought a smile to the individual’s face.
Known by her colleagues for being forthright and highly organized, Ms. Lohrenz admits that her way of doing things can at times feel a bit rigid, but she always has the best interests of patients and nurses in mind.
“People put their lives in our hands, so it’s vital that we get everything right,” she says. “And I believe that if you’re here to do a job, then you need to do it well.”
For Ms. Lohrenz, that means ensuring that schedules are adhered to so her staff can enjoy a good work-life balance and also building relationships with everyone – from the doctors to the sanitation staff.
Though she has greatly enjoyed her time at ½û·¬¶¯Âþ, Ms. Lohrenz is thinking about her eventual retirement and spending more time with her family, including three siblings, nine nieces and nephews, and Pudge, her faithful cockapoo named after baseball player Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.
“I love taking walks in the park and meeting other dogs – and their owners – so I’m looking forward to doing more of that after I retire,” she says. “But I hope I made a difference for my patients along the way.”
Indeed, her patients and colleagues would certainly say that she has done so.