California native finds her work ‘home’ in Iowa (2024)

The energy of her workplace matters to Ashley Ventura.

Two years into her career as a surgical technologist, she says the energy at University of Iowa Health Care is “unmatched.”

Ventura, who is originally from California, says she has found a supportive culture working on the team involved in urology, gynecology, and transplant services.

“I just love it here,” she says with her unmistakable enthusiasm. “It’s an amazing place to be. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Ventura’s path to Iowa comes by way of family. She grew up in Southern California but regularly traveled to Iowa in the summer to visit her aunt and uncle. In 2019, as a young adult, she wanted to expand outside her comfort zone so she moved to Iowa to attend Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.

She knew she wanted to work in health care but wasn’t set on her path. Initially, she was pursuing an associate degree in science, but after changing her focus to surgical technology, she discovered her passion.

Ventura was placed in the urology, gynecology, and transplant services unit for her clinical rotation. She wasn’t sure how quickly she’d be able to fit in, but it didn’t take long at all.

“I absolutely fell in love with this kind of work—and this team,” Ventura says.

She asked to stay in the unit for her next two clinical rotations. After graduation, she was able to find a permanent position on the unit.

One thing Ventura loves about her team is that whether it’s a surgical technologist, like herself, a nurse, or a surgeon, each person plays an important role in positive patient outcomes. She has also been impressed by the care her colleagues show for each other.

“When I was turning 25, I was scheduled to work on my birthday,” Ventura says. “And I was excited because I was working with one of my favorite surgeons, with some of my favorite teammates, and we had a lineup of interesting cases. I even joked that I ‘got to’ work on my birthday.”

That favorite surgeon took it one step farther and found a way to celebrate Ventura that day.

“Building friendships at work goes hand in hand with the trust that gets built,” she says. “And that trust and rapport go a long way into why I love my job.”

One of Ventura’s primary roles at UI Health Care is to prepare the operating room with all the necessary tools and instruments that will be needed for the scheduled procedure. She also often assists with handling and passing the instruments during surgery.

While Ventura has enjoyed the work right from the start, it doesn’t mean there wasn’t a learning curve or difficult days.

“I had great mentors when I was new, and everyone was so supportive and compassionate,” she says. “I never felt like I was alone, even on challenging days. I had one mentor say, ‘Today was tough, but tomorrow will be better—and I will help you figure it out.’”

She says that level of reassurance let her know she would be supported. And now she can provide that support as new employees join the team. She said she often shares with new colleagues that UI Health Care is simply the best place to work, providing opportunities for achievement and growth, along with deep compassion and unending support from peers and leaders.