Health Care Heroes 2025 S9
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 Kearney Hub www.kearneyhub.com
SHANNON MAKIN | KEARNEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER With Heart and Purpose: Shannon Makin, PA-C, on Meaningful Care in Cardiothoracic Surgery
With more than a decade of experience in healthcare, Shannon Makin, PA-C, brings a deep sense of purpose and compassion to her role as a Certified Physician Assistant in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Her work places her alongside patients during some of the most vulnera-
evolved, she became drawn to a more holistic view of medicine, which led her to pursue an osteopathic-directed education. She strongly believes in the body’s natural ability to heal and views surgery as a way to help correct the root causes of disease, rather than just manage symptoms. She feels proud each time a patient reaches the point where they can fully appreciate their own journey through surgery and recovery. That recognition, she says, is often more powerful than any clinical outcome. It serves as a reminder of the
resilience of the human spirit and the deep trust patients place in their care team. To those considering a career in healthcare, Shannon offers thoughtful advice. Choose a field you can see yourself growing in for years to come—something that continues to challenge and inspire you. Confidence is essential, but humility is just as important. Healthcare is constantly evolving, and professionals must stay grounded, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning. She emphasizes the importance of building trust with every patient, listening with intention,
and never assuming you have all the answers. Most importantly, she encourages future healthcare workers to honor patient advocacy—never discourage a patient from speaking up or asking questions, no matter your title or credentials. Shannon Makin’s career reflects a blend of technical expertise, empathy, and a profound respect for the healing process. Her commitment to patient care and personal in- tegrity continues to leave a lasting impact on everyone she encounters.
Shannon Makin
ble and life-altering moments of their lives, and she considers it a privilege to be part of their journey toward healing. One of the most emotionally difficult aspects of her profession is facing the loss of a patient. Even with time and experience, Shannon shares that this part of the job never becomes easy. In healthcare, especially in surgery, the stakes are high and the emotional toll can be significant. To manage this, she relies on daily preparation, setting realistic expectations, and recognizing the challenges ahead of time. Working within a supportive and collaborative team of nurses, technicians, surgeons, and specialists helps distribute the emotional load. For Shannon, coping also means reminding herself regularly that perfection is the enemy of good, and that being human means doing one’s best, not achieving flawlessness. Among the many rewarding moments in her career, Shannon finds the greatest fulfill - ment in seeing patients through the entire surgical process—from preoperative planning to full recovery. Being involved in open-heart surgeries, she is acutely aware of how significant and life-changing the proce - dure is for patients and their families. To witness someone regain their strength and return to their everyday life after such a ma- jor operation is, in her words, an incredible blessing. It is in these full-circle experiences that she feels her work truly matters. Shannon’s path to medicine began with a general interest in healthcare and a back- ground in dentistry. As her perspective
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