Faces of Bryan

When someone asks Caroline Madison where she’s from, she never knows exactly what to tell them.

She’s lived in Nebraska, for the past 20+ years, but before that, she lived in California, Indonesia, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Holland – and she was actually born in England.

Her dad’s specialization in agricultural sent her and her family all over the world during her childhood. After three years of high school at an international school in Indonesia, Caroline finished her senior year at a school in California.

A Break from Traveling

A little weary from the expat life, she decided to stay in California for college.

She began building her life there, getting married, having a couple of children and working in child care. Then her mom and stepdad moved to Nebraska.

Every time she visited, the people impressed her.

“I thought that it was such a nice place, just so much more down to earth than where I lived,” she said. “I remember thinking I would really like to live out there.”

Eventually, Caroline did just that.

A Change in Scenery

Caroline continued her career in child care and also had a couple more children after moving to Nebraska.

The place started to feel like home.

However, after nearly 30 years in child care, Caroline decided she needed another change. That’s how she found a position as a patient registrar for the Bryan Health Emergency Department (ED).

“I like to take care of people and do things that can help people, so I always thought a hospital would be a nice place to go next,” she said.

The job description advertised training, so she went out on a limb and applied.

“I walked in saying, ‘This is what I've got. I hope you see something in me,’” she said.

Caroline got the job and began working at Bryan Medical Center in 2019. Despite a few challenges at the beginning, she loved it.

“All I could do was just give it my best shot and work as hard as I could, and that's what I did,” she said. “You never really know what it's going to be like working in an Emergency Department until you try it – it's been an adventure for sure.”

A New Path

After nearly five years in the ED, Caroline became a patient registrar for Admissions. The her job title and the work are similar, but not quite the same. While she is still gathering patient information and verifying identities, she wasn’t checking patients into the ED the way she’s checking them in for appointments throughout the rest of the hospital.

She said that was probably her biggest learning curve – figuring out where everything else was in the hospital. She was used to her “own littler world” in the ED, but working in admissions, she was helping patients get to all corners of the hospital buildings on both Bryan East and West Campuses.

“I knew this hospital was big, but, my goodness, it is huge,” she said.

Still, Caroline continues to learn the ropes of the new position, having started only a few months ago. She said she’ll always love her team in the ED, but she’s grateful for the acceptance and kindness her new admissions team has shown her.

“Everybody in Admissions has been beyond kind and helpful,” she said. “I don’t even know how to describe that department. They are like a family.”

Fitting Right In

Caroline’s work ethic, attention to detail and friendly face made it easy for her to fit right in, according to patient registrar manager Jess King.

“She's so good at this job that she has just slid right in and it feels like she's been there this whole time,” Jess said. “She is always happy and upbeat, even when the days are hard. She just adds a level of optimism and positivity that is just what everyone needs.”

With Caroline on the team, Jess looks forward to having her team continue the development of a positive environment for patients, who often would rather be anywhere other than the hospital.

“We have three and a half minutes to start off on the right foot, to put somebody at ease, to listen to somebody who just wants someone to hear how bad they're feeling,” Jess said. “And it all comes very naturally to Caroline.”

That might just be why Caroline noticed a difference in the people of Nebraska when she first visited all those years ago – she related with them.

“You can tell a big difference in the people in Nebraska. They’re just so warm and welcoming,” she said.

Now, despite having experienced many places around the world, Caroline is happy to call Nebraska, and Bryan, home.

“I love Bryan. They take great care of their employees and their patients,” she said. “I've always said this is where I want to retire, and I still plan on doing that. Moving to Nebraska – I’ve never regretted it.”