Celebrating Black History Month – Megan Fairley

This year, Memorial is celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting members of our team who embody our mission of healing, inspiring, and transforming the health of our community.

Megan has been part of the Memorial team for three years, serving the community as a Respiratory Therapist at Memorial Hospital Stone County.

She was nominated by another team member who shared, “Megan listens and cares about not only her patients but also her coworkers. She uplifts people, and she is very good to her patients. She treats them each as an individual with respect and dignity. Family members love her. Megan is a leader and she’s the most cheerful person I know. I am always happy when we work together. Her positivity is contagious.”

Compassionate communication is her superpower

An average day for a Respiratory Therapist is dynamic, as these professionals support every function of the health system. Megan adds, “An average day includes assisting patients with respiratory illnesses through various treatments and education; this can range from inhalers and breathing treatments to BiPaps and ventilators.”

She shares, “Communication is key in healthcare, therefore when giving and receiving reports on patients, we go in-depth about their care and treatment plans. When making rounds, I introduce myself to my patients and assess their respiratory needs. I believe that to deliver optimal care, a healthy relationship must be established between staff and patients, so I do my best to make them feel comfortable and safe at the initial meeting.”

Megan is also a part of the rapid response team that assists when a patient starts to show signs of decline. Her favorite part of her role is seeing the relief on someone’s face when they can breathe easier because of the care she has provided.

Honoring those who have pushed boundaries 

She shares, “To me, Black History Month means honoring those who have paved the way for me to be a blessing to someone else, no matter their background. I celebrate the contributions Black people have made year-round. It does bring me joy when others can appreciate that something they use daily was invented by an African American person.” Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black female astronaut to go to space, is an inspiration to Megan. She adds, “Dr. Jemison was also a physician who worked to improve healthcare in developing countries. Her life inspires me to be the best version of myself and to teach my children to push any boundaries that may be placed in front of them.”

This year, Megan will be celebrating Black History Month with her family. “I teach my children that Black history is more than just oppression and being the minority. I love educating them on positive historical facts and ensuring that they understand the impact that Black people made on this country.”

Thank you for sharing your story, Megan, and thank you for all that you do for our patients and community!