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As far back as she can remember, Okala Stimpfl has had a knack for helping people. Health care seemed like a natural fit for her.
“I started out working part time for an eye doctor when I was in high school,” says the 29-year-old Stimpfl. “I bounced around in several small, family-owned businesses in health care. I helped with scheduling, answering phones, whatever was needed in the office. I enjoyed it all.”
But Stimpfl got the urge to keep growing her career, which brought her to Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) Cardiology–Cedar Crest in March 2019.
“I know I’ll be here for a very long time,” Stimpfl says. “It’s been great to be part of LVHN. I’ve created so many amazing relationships. We’re all family here.”
“We hired her as an entry-level patient services representative,” says Karen Keichel, practice director at LVH Cardiology–Cedar Crest. “She was just a natural fit from the first day, great at putting patients and other colleagues at ease. She has such a great smile and infectious enthusiasm. She comes to work with the same positive attitude every day.”
Patient services representatives at LVPG do a little bit of everything – scheduling and rescheduling, working with patients and vendors, handling health care provider needs and taking care of all other office needs.
“It’s really important to be organized and flexible,” Stimpfl says. “I’ve always been a good communicator and a good listener, and I’ve found that really helps me at work.”
Stimpfl has been so good at her job she was promoted to the lead patient services representative after just two years. Now, she trains newcomers to utilize the skills that have made her so effective.
“We were thrilled to offer Okala that position,” Keichel says. “She’s a shining example of somebody who you’d want to work with. She’s extremely professional and leads by example. She’s also the friend to patients and colleagues too, when a friend is needed.”
Stimpfl sees herself staying at LVH Cardiology–Cedar Crest for the long haul.
“I know I’ll be here for a very long time,” Stimpfl says. “It’s been great to be part of LVHN. I’ve created so many amazing relationships. We’re all family here.”
