Jul 30, 2020 Reporting from Niles, MI
The Second Chance that Inspired a Career - Brandon Villarreal
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/how-we-compare/our-patients/Detail/The-Second-Chance-that-Inspired-a-Career/c59e84ea-bfd9-4b6e-bc3e-3d13e67a4e9e/?utm_source=The_Second_Chance_that_Inspired_a_Career&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Jul 30, 2020
Jul 30, 2020
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
For months, Dowagiac resident Brandon Villarreal had been sick and trying to ignore worrisome symptoms that included severe bruising on his chest and arms. Finally, one night in January, his aunt convinced him to go to the emergency department at Lak
The Second Chance that Inspired a Career - Brandon Villarreal
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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The Second Chance that Inspired a Career - Brandon Villarreal
Jul, 2020
For months, Dowagiac resident Brandon Villarreal had been sick and trying to ignore worrisome symptoms that included severe bruising on his chest and arms. Finally, one night in January, his aunt convinced him to go to the emergency department at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.
That night, he learned something that would change his life forever. He was diagnosed with end stage liver failure.
“I was told the only way I would get better was with a liver transplant,” said Brandon.
To make matters more difficult, he didn’t have health insurance at the time. He was worried about what that would mean for his care.
But that’s when his Lakeland team stepped in to assure him. They told him that they would take care of him regardless of what happened. Brandon recalls one friendly nurse in particular, Cameron Collier, RN, who helped keep his spirits up after the diagnosis.
A change in perspective
Brandon was admitted to the hospital, and over the next several days, he lost 60 pounds of water.
“I went into the hospital feeling like I was dying and was discharged to wait for a liver transplant feeling like a million bucks,” he said.
That experience changed his perception of hospitals.
“Honestly, I hated them before,” said Brandon. “My mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was twelve, and I always associated hospitals with pain and death.”
After his own experience as a patient, Brandon started to see hospitals a little differently. He now saw Lakeland as a place of healing. In fact, when he wasn’t in the hospital and happened to drive by, he would get warm fuzzy feelings.
“I knew that I wanted to spend more time at Lakeland,” said Brandon. “I started thinking about a career in health care.”
Simply amazing
Over the next six months, Brandon was in and out of the hospital several times before being transferred to another hospital to undergo a liver transplant.
But all the while Brandon kept thinking about Lakeland. After his recovery, he decided to return to school and study phlebotomy. After completing the program, he applied and got a job as a phlebotomist at Lakeland.
“I was thrilled!” said Brandon. “I couldn’t wait to be working with the same doctors and nurses who helped save my life.”
Brandon’s journey from patient to Lakeland team member means that he brings a unique perspective to his work.
“I enjoy working with patients and think I have an advantage having been on both sides of health care,” he said. “It’s easy to empathize with my patients.”
Brandon’s survival is a true gift. But to him, the people he works with every day are the amazing ones.
“Every day is special when you’re a transplant recipient like me—not only for me, but also for my family and friends,” he said. “I’m constantly reminded of the good in people. I work with some of the most dedicated and intelligent people on Earth, and the team members at Lakeland are simply amazing.”
Interested in a career at Spectrum Health Lakeland? Click here to see available opportunities