David Wood

I have been a proud RMH Team Member for Very Close to 6 Years. When I was in my Senior Year of High School I was looking for my career path and knew I wanted to be in the Hospital somewhere and I vetted many departments. I then came across a job shadow opportunity through the Rush Memorial Hospital Foundation to follow Mark Walker, the Respiratory Therapist here at the time and that experience left me breathless! Those that remember Mark would know that is the truth! I had to figure out a way to regain my breath again. With my experience with Mark I was able to follow him and see the day in and day out workings of a Respiratory Therapist. I saw the great connections with all professions at all levels of care clinical and non clinical because any person that is breathing is a potential Respiratory Patient. From there I decided I was going to be a Respiratory Therapist and went onto further my education achieve my degree and pass my board exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. The greatness of this hospital is the connections I experience. I know the Board Members, the CEO, and Administration Staff. I know directors and the rank and file from each department. I know the rich history of the building and when the additions were built on to the main hospital and we now have a multi-site campus.  When I first arrived I saw staffers that were retiring with 30, 35, and 40 plus years and having people make RMH a part of their lifetime legacy is a very meaningful and resonates the greatness of this organization down to its very roots. The parts that I love most are working with the most skilled nurses and staffers, I love helping the citizens of the great city of Rushville and Rush County. I’ve been in delivery rooms of people I know and get to be a part of their welcoming of new life into the world, I am there in trauma cases, I am there in the out of the blue asthma and COPD flare ups, and I am there at the end of life whether sudden or expected. Respiratory Therapy encompasses all things breathing from the first breath to the last breath and all breaths in between. The connections that are made keep me going and I am grateful for everyone that had a hand in getting me to where I am today.