WashU Nephrology welcomes our new Nurse Administrator at Forest Park Kidney Center, Paula Schaefer, RN, who is taking the helm from Patricia (Patty) Anderson, RN, CNN. Patty is retiring after 39 years in the division.
After graduating from the Lutheran School of Nursing in 2010, Paula went on to acquire broad nursing experience in acute hospital settings and long-term nursing facilities, as is well-acquainted with both acute and chronic dialysis. She also has extensive management and supervisory experience, most recently as Director of Nursing at Bria Healthcare.
Paula’s journey to WashU Nephrology actually began 19 years ago, when her teenage daughter experienced acute renal failure. She was at Children’s hospital and being cared for by a team of nephrologists from WashU. Not yet a nurse, she remembers feeling so scared and helpless when they started talking about her daughter possibly going on dialysis.
“By the grace and mercy of God, she did not have to start dialysis and her kidneys recovered,” says Paula. “However, while waiting for my daughter’s recovery, I started studying everything I could about the kidneys and how they work and I was fascinated! Once I started my career as an RN, I found my calling caring for dialysis patients. I am very blessed to be given this opportunity”
Paula, who is from Waterloo, IL, has been married for 27 years and has four children and five grandsons. On her time off, she enjoys spending time with her family, camping and “hanging out” around the pool.
Paula Schaefer with family
A devoted member of the WashU Nephrology team since 1984, Patty Anderson became Nurse Administrator at Forest Park Kidney Center in 2010. In 2015, Patty and her team were awarded a microgrant for their proposal to reduce bloodstream infections. In 2017, she helmed a project to improve QIP Scores through better adherence with medication, diet and fluid.
Patty attributes the success of her Nephrology career to the many great people she has worked with over the past 39 years.
As a manager she believes that you must let your employees know how much they are appreciated.
In retirement, Patty plans to enjoy time planting and harvesting her vegetable and fruit garden with the help of her husband. She is also looking forward to spending time with her three children and five grandchildren.
Patty Anderson: An awesome, multitasking ninja!