Episode 15

Nurse, Runner, Dreamer with Vivian Cortes, RN | Episode 15

Published on: 12th February, 2024

Join us on this episode of The Last Zebra Podcast as host Ugo Ezema welcomes Vivian Cortes, a dedicated ICU nurse with a story of resilience, cultural heritage, and passion for healthcare. Born in Honduras and migrating to the United States at a young age, Vivian shares her journey from feeling intimidated by the medical field to embracing the challenges of nursing with open arms. This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of family, and the passion that drives our healthcare heroes. We deep dive into a young career in nursing and the transition from student to a healthcare professional.

🔍 In This Episode:

  • Vivian's Background: Learn about Vivian's early life in Honduras, her family's move to the United States, and how her cultural heritage remains a vital part of her identity. The cultural adjustments and challenges faced upon arriving in a new country.
  • Choosing Nursing: Discover the pivotal moments that led Vivian to pursue a career in nursing, despite initial reservations about entering the medical field. Vivian's experiences as a "baby nurse" in the ICU and her passion for learning. Reflections on pediatric care and the emotional challenges of working with children
  • The ICU Experience: Vivian discusses the complexities and rewards of working in the ICU, sharing insights into the critical care environment and her growth as a nurse.
  • Family and Personal Life: A glimpse into Vivian's life outside of nursing, highlighting the importance of family, fitness, and finding balance in the midst of a demanding career.
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About the Podcast

The Last Zebra
Nuanced conversations about working in medicine
“The Last Zebra” draws its essence from the timeless medical adage:

“When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.”

Coined by Dr. Theodore Woodward in the 1940s, this maxim reminds us to prioritize common diagnoses over rare and improbable ones.

In a medical world often defined by seeking the most likely causes, “The Last Zebra” podcast takes a different approach. Here we are looking for the common in all of us.

The common focuses on the unique, diverse, and individual experiences of medical professionals. We hope to showcase the stories of these individuals, highlighting how they infuse their backgrounds, beliefs, and characteristics into their medical practice. By doing so, they add an artistic and personal touch that goes beyond the clinical norms and transforms their work into a deeply profound and meaningful endeavor.

Through these stories, “The Last Zebra” aims to reveal the extraordinary side of medicine— "heavy on the ordinary".

The stories that deviate from dogma and delve into the exceptional. It seeks to capture the essence of these medical professionals’ journeys, shedding light on their challenges, triumphs, and the remarkable ways they shape the landscape of healthcare.

In each episode, we delve into the non-clinical nuances that define the day-to-day lives of medical professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. This podcast will start and go beyond the clinical, shedding light on the intricate artistry, mosaicism, and diversity in medicine.

We explore how every guest crafts their unique personality and characteristics into the very fabric of their practice.

These stories not only celebrate individuality but also embody the soul of healthcare.

In a world where uniformity is prioritized, “The Last Zebra” podcast honors the rare and unique elements that medical professionals bring to their work. Together, we’ll discover how these exceptional individuals are shaping the future of healthcare, one personalized interaction at a time.

So, come along as we embrace the zebras — the extraordinary stories that make medicine a true art.
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Ugo Ezema