Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Zimbelman
Kelly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I find it really hard to describe myself but will do my best to illustrate who I try to be/who I am. I grew up in the California Bay Area and worked in business administration which is where I met my husband. That was 40 years ago. We have been married for over 35 years. He was upwardly mobile and we moved several times, with the last stop here in Austin where we finished raising our family. I love animals and made sure that our family included dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and even ground squirrels. I have grown into a Pug lover, and currently have a couple of sweet rescues. During these years of frequent relocation, I was a stay at home mom pouring all my attention into my family. I used my spare time to take art classes and volunteer for causes close to my heart like the Indianapolis Ballet, the Hudson Bend Ladies Auxillary that supported the local fire dept, organized “Elf Workshops” (after school art classes in November/December), and most recently soliciting donations for Pug Rescue Austin. In 2008, with my children grown; I wanted to re-enter the workforce, and started part time with Dr. Lisa Jukes. As they say, “the rest is history” and I have been her Practice Manager since 2011. I have watched the Practice grow and evolve into an amazing team, with a keen focus on the health and wellbeing of of girls and women. As manager, I am always looking for smart individuals to join our team and I try to give clinical learning opportunities to pre-med students who are looking for real-life experience. In 2018, I became aware of Breast Cancer Resource Center through Dr. Jukes. The BCRC provides help and support of all kinds to patients diagnosed with breast cancer and has a yearly red-carpet fundraiser called Art Bra that helps to fund these needed services. Many of the models are cancer survivors and some actively in treatment. Dr. Jukes encouraged me to use my artistic talents to embellish a bra and submit it to the BCRC for the auction. I was not really sure what I was doing but I decided to give it a try – I started my design in October, and the bra needed to be completed and delivered by March 6th, 2019. Each rhinestone is placed with tweezers, so every evening after work and my weekends were dedicated to working on my design. My submission was created in honor of Dr. Jukes’ cousin, who had lost her battle with breast cancer that year and it made it to the runway! It was such an amazing and gratifying experience to see my wearable art piece on stage, with all the proceeds from the auction going to the BCRC. It’s the kind of “high” you can’t describe and I have submitted a bra every year since. Dr. Jukes has been the winning bidder on all but one, and they are framed art in her offices. My personal and professional experiences with Dr. Jukes, her support and the encouragement of my family; led me to being identified as an “artist” which was a long term personal goal. When I am not at work or working on an Art Bra, I enjoy making memories with my family, working in my garden, or creating my next stained glass or mosaic art piece.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am not sure anyone has a “smooth road.” Sometimes you have to fall into a pot hole to work on your problem solving. I think moving frequently affords it’s own challenges- especially with a family. I feel that each move taught me more about myself and really pushed me to work often outside of my comfort zone. You are forced to explore options when moving to a new city, new home, new possibilities and potential. Every job has it’s share of challenges, especially when managing people is involved, but I have always found the function and structure of work to be enjoyable for the most part.
We’ve been impressed with Lisa M. Jukes, M.D., P.A. dba Modern Women’s Health, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Modern Women’s Health has evolved through the 20 years since Dr. Jukes established her solo practice. Dr. Jukes is an amazing physician and business woman, a skilled Davinci surgeon, and she is one of my favorite people. She is dynamic and forward thinking and as her Practice Manager, hard to keep up with! She wants to provide the best evidence based care available to her patients. Women (in general) will suffer in silence and wait until they have cared for everyone else in their life, before searching for answers for themselves. Dr. Jukes understands that and strives to offer a thorough and proactive approach to her treatment plans, offering health screenings to better identify current health issues and/or to avoid issues relative to aging. Dr. Jukes has become a “brand” synonymous with excellent medical care. Working for her has provided me with a better view of life and perspective. The job and environment really has made me stretch myself. Working with her has made me stronger, not only from a business perspective and the skill sets I have strengthened over the course of time, but on a personal level for all that I have learned and accomplished while working for someone I admire greatly.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have found personally, that anyone in your sphere can be a mentor. There are times when maybe you just need to hear you are doing the right thing- direction can come in many different ways and often from different people or circumstance. I would say that as I have aged, I have become a little more philosophical in how I view things. I believe that every contact you/I make daily, can have a positive (hopefully) or negative impact on another. I enjoy assisting others at work and in life. I have really never been in search of a mentor- when I need direction and help, I usually turn to my best friend, my husband -who has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.modernwomenshealth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernwomenshealth/, https://www.instagram.com/mwh_aesthetics/, and @zimbelmankelly
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernWomensHealthGynecologyAesthetics/
