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Sacramento Nurse Was Inspired By Dialysis Center That Saved Lives Of Family Members

Larisa Danilowicz is an RN and clinical nurse manager for Satellite Healthcare Sacramento, whose mission and focus is to improve the lives of those living with kidney disease. "It takes dedication, hard work, patience and compassion to be successful in the dialysis community," she says.

SAC-Health
(Photo Courtesy of Larisa Danilowicz)

Danilowicz tells a real life story to describe her work. "I had a new patient arrive to my center exhausted, not thinking clearly, and unable to walk. He had accumulated an additional 30 pounds of extra fluid because his kidneys were no longer functioning properly. Within 90 days, our team was able to remove the excess fluid. As a result of the fluid removal and dialysis, the patient's energy level significantly increased, he was thinking more clearly, feeling much better, and was walking again. Seeing these positive changes in my patient gives my job purpose and makes me feel really good about what I do."

Danilowicz received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Santa Cruz with a focus in sociology, an Associate's Degree from Jefferson Community College with a focus in independent study, a vocational nursing certificate from Carrington College San Leandro, and an Associate's Degree in Registered Nursing from Carrington College Sacramento.

"Without my nursing education I would not be able to work as a nurse in a health care setting. My education has given me the knowledge and training that I need to be a confident and competent nurse."

Satellite Healthcare was a good match for Danilowicz because both she and her employer understand the importance of lifelong-learning; the health provider makes plenty of contributions to academia in its close collaboration with Stanford University School of Medicine. Satellite Healthcare also participates in NIH funded research and the annual Kidney Walk sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation.

The seasoned nurse says her inspiration came from her would-be employer. "Several of my extended family members had polycystic kidney disease. Satellite Healthcare took care of them and helped make their lives much better. I wanted to work for the company that cared for my family and gives back to my community."

Karen Hansen M.S. Earth Sciences, has been an educator and consultant who is currently an analyst regarding land and other public information records. She lives and works in Sacramento, CA. She has been writing about earth and the environmental sciences for Examiner.com since May of 2010. Find her work in several sections of the publication. You can find her work at SF Solar Energy Examiner, SF Environmental News Examiner and Environmental News Examiner 

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