Heather Greenwood, MBA, the new director of Southeast AHEC, is a distinctly rural Illinois person. Born in Noble, a village in Richland County, she now lives in Flora, across the line in Clay County but only 18 miles away. It’s not that far from her office at Wabash General Hospital Mt. Carmel, either.

As a kid growing up, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. “I don’t remember having my heart set on anything in particular,” she says. But “my mom is a nurse and my dad is a farmer, so the morals and values instilled in me were bound to lead me into a career field where I was able to help people and make a difference.”

Inspiration came in her teens. “When I was a senior in high school, a representative from the local college came to talk about its radiology program. After completing my shadowing hours, I was confident that radiology was the path I wanted to follow.”

Heather initially planned to complete the first two years locally and then transfer to SIU in Carbondale to study sonography. But she decided to take a break from school after finishing the radiology program. She subsequently earned her Associate of Applied Sciences in Radiology at Olney Central College, and has both a Bachelor of Science and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University. Along the way, she‘s worked as a switchboard operator, hospital registration clerk, ambulance billing specialist, radiologic technologist, clinic assistant, and most recently a regional physician liaison.

“My transition from being on the patient-facing side of health care to the operational/strategic side was something that I didn’t anticipate,” she says. “I credit a lot to a former colleague-turned-mentor who saw potential in me that I had never noticed – she gave me the courage and confidence to grow professionally.”

In her spare time Heather and her husband, a police officer, love spending time outdoors and with family. They have two children ages 3 and 1. And she also has “a side hustle.” It’s one “that takes up a lot of my ‘free time,’ ” she says. “I own a laser engraving business. My ‘office’ takes up most of the space in our garage, and I make everything from custom cups to leather patch hats.”

Heather is enthusiastic and positive about her new position: “I’m so honored to be part of the AHEC team and am looking forward to seeing what I’m able to accomplish in this role!”

Her advice to students considering a healthcare career? “Find a great mentor who can help you navigate and reach your educational and career goals. Ask questions! And steer clear from student loan debt if you can.”