I am fairly certain that this is one of the most frequently asked questions in our industry. I have to imagine there are not many twelve- year-olds running around chanting “I want to be an EEG Tech when I grow up” when asked the age-old question. Perhaps like most of you, I had absolutely no idea what EEG was until I fell right into it.
I am the Chief Operating Officer of Integris Neuro. Here is my story.
I graduated from Texas A&M University with bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a die-hard Aggie. Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2005, Whoop! My original plan was to be a history teacher and coach. Once I got further into the curriculum, I found myself wanting to explore other options within the Kinesiology umbrella. I bounced around in exercise physiology and sports management. When the five-year mark steered its ugly head, I realized I had veered too far off the teacher cert track and needed to wrap it up and get out! I met with a counselor and was advised that the quickest way for me to graduate would be the Community Health option, which I accepted. Once I graduated, I soon realized that my degree did not carry much weight and I would need to consider either pursing my master’s degree or RN. I was working at Blockbuster to pay the bills. I was discouraged and viewed my diploma, now displayed in a fancy custom frame, as nothing more than a $40,000 wall hanging. In truth, it was so much more than that. My degree and experience at Texas A&M presented me with the opportunities that led me to exactly where I am today. Allow me to circle back...
The new track that I had selected to finish my degree required an unpaid six-month internship. This is when I started working at Blockbuster at night. I wasn’t thrilled about the internship, but it ended up being the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I was fortunate enough to be assigned under the Director of Neurology at a hospital in Plano, TX. As an intern, I did projects all throughout the hospital and was available to any and all departments, but I found a home in Neurology. This is where I met Donna Bray, who was managing the Neurology Department, and we quickly formed a friendship. Once I graduated and was struggling with what to do next, I called Donna to ask for advice, and well honestly, I needed a job! Donna brought me on and trained me from scratch. This is when I became an EEG Tech. I soaked it all up, learning all that I could under the guidance and expertise of Donna Bray. I worked hard and studied even harder to achieve my R.EEGT. In 2011, I was promoted to Neurology Coordinator and found myself managing the EEG Lab at the same hospital where I first found a home, and a career, five years earlier.
In 2012, I was offered the opportunity to leave the hospital and jump into the adventurous new world of Ambulatory EEG. This is when I first met Steven Estes. I joined Global Neuro-Diagnostics (GND) as a field tech. This would be my first exposure to in-home Video Ambulatory EEG and I was excited for the journey. I adapted quickly and dedicated myself to learning and implementing best practices. I soon accepted the position of Technical Supervisor of Routine EEG Services and assisted in the launch of a new service line for GND. In this role I supervised staff, established hospital and physician office protocols, developed policy and procedure, generated reports for quality assurance, and developed physician relations. In addition to these duties, I was still working in direct patient care at this time and I absolutely loved it!
In 2016, after the acquisition of GND by Natus Medical, the company grew substantially. I assumed more responsibility and served as Manager of Clinical Operations under the leadership and guidance of Janice Shock and Shawn Cox, two people who mentored me beyond measure and whom I had the privilege to call both colleague and friend. I was having the time of my life working alongside some of the most amazing people and EEG Techs you would ever meet. I was managing 90+ EEG Techs spread out across 24 states. It was fast paced and fluid with long hours, travel, managing processes and coaching people...I loved every minute of it. A few of my most memorable achievements include serving as the Emergency Management & EOC Officer on The Joint Commission Committee, successful renewal of ABRET EEG LAB Accreditation, nationwide recruiting, and Clinical Consultant to Natus engineering team for equipment and product validation (...in Canada!).
It was devastating to receive the news that Natus was electing to divest themselves of GND as a service-related business in January 2019. I was so completely dedicated and engaged to the work I was doing and the people I was doing it with. I was heartbroken. At this point in time, I almost decided to leave the field of Neurodiagnostics. It made my stomach hurt to consider working for a competitor and the looming code changes of 2020 painted an uncertain future for Video Ambulatory EEG. I did not want to go back into the hospital. I was lost. I began interviewing for positions in operations management and logistics and I had two offers up for consideration when I received an unexpected call from a familiar voice...Steven Estes.
Steven informed me that he was starting another business and asked if I would be interested in coming on board. Man, what a surprise this was! But, a start-up company? I told myself this could be very risky. I had two other pending job offers with very reputable and established companies. Did I really want to stay in EEG with an uncertain future? There was so much to consider and weigh out...in theory, but in truth, my mind was made up the moment I hung up the phone.
To know Steven Estes is to revere him. I was confident that any venture with Steven would be successful because of his unwavering dedication, work ethic, and integrity. To receive the call was an honor and I considered the opportunity to work under his leadership and guidance to be a privilege.
I joined Integris Neuro in the Spring of 2019 as only the second employee. I was thrilled for the opportunity and excited for the challenge. I came on board willing to do whatever was asked of me and whatever was needed to get the job done. Some days consisted of insurance authorizations, scheduling, and billing while other days were direct patient care performing Ambulatory setups and disconnects. I went wherever I was needed, including East and West Texas and the Panhandle. Patient care was still so enjoyable to me!
Integris Neuro continues its upward trajectory and I am so proud to be a small part of it.
I am once again surrounded by the most amazing team of individuals doing what we love to do. Our main objective every day is to provide exceptional customer service and care to our patients and the highest level of quality to our providers.
Sometimes you have to take risks in life to get where you want to be, even if you don’t know where you are going. I didn’t grow up wanting to be an EEG Tech, but I sure am thankful for the opportunities that led me here. When I reflect on “how did I end up here”, I think about what I’ve learned, and continue to learn, by observing those who have mentored me throughout my career, true leaders who lead from the front.
Strive to be a little better each day than you were the day before. Don’t chase the money and don’t ever let anyone outwork you. Take pride in your achievements and accountability for your mistakes. Have integrity in everything that you do.
Carmen Ellison, BS, REEGT
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