Annie boomerangs back to Dayton Children's!

Sometimes life takes us on adventures with twists and turns but for Annie Self, south campus emergency department nurse, her recent adventure brought her back to Dayton Children's. She said she considers herself to be like a "boomerang..." always finding her way back "home."

Annie's story with Dayton Children's began in 1993 as a third shift nurse and transport team member. While it was her first job fresh out of college, Annie stepped up to the plate by obtaining her pediatric advanced life support (PALS) and trauma nursing core course (TNCC) certifications and presenting for EMS outreach education. Taking care of kids and their families quickly became her passion but living out of a duffle bag while splitting her time between Columbus, where she lived, and working in Dayton, was difficult. For the next five years, Annie worked at Columbus Children's, now known as Nationwide, and grew her resume with teaching certifications, presenting at conferences and working part-time at the Central Ohio Poison Center.

"I never left Dayton Children's because I didn't like my job," explained Annie. "I absolutely loved my job... it was only due to logistics of where I lived." 

In 2000, Annie's husband's job moved them to where else but... Dayton! 

"Without skipping a beat, I called my old manager and told her, "I'm coming home,"" said Annie. 

With the opening of south campus, she transferred campuses to assist with getting the emergency department up and running. In late 2019, her husband's job offer moved them onto a 5-acre island farm in Charleston, South Carolina. What do you think happened next? Life boomeranged them back to Centerville, Ohio and into the home that they raised their two children in. Greeted with cake and open arms, Annie's been back at Dayton Children's ever since.

"I could be the "poster child employee," Annie laughed. "I love Dayton Children's so much." 

One of the biggest bonuses is sharing the Dayton Children's logo with her daughter, Anna, who is a PCA in south campus' urgent care.

"My heart exploded with pride when Anna told me she was applying for a PCA position," said Annie. "She loves her role and it makes my mama heart burst with pride to see her walk out the door in her scrubs."

"I am so grateful to be back with Dayton Children's," said Annie. "I have been through a few emergency department revisions, organizational name and logo changes but one thing has always been a constant...we do wonderful things for kids and their families in this region, and I am so happy to be a part of this working family. Going "above and beyond" has always been what we have done...even before it became our organization's formal mission... and it feels good to be home."

There's no place like home, and we're glad Annie's is at Dayton Children's! 

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