Five years ago, Joshua Tester thought his future was in medicine.
While pursuing a pre-med education, he was also building a career at Kettering Health. As he advanced from Environmental Services (EVS) technician to supervisor, he gained a firsthand look at the operational side of healthcare and discovered a new interest in leadership.
“The more I did it, the more I enjoyed it,” Tester said. “I felt this is a direction I don’t mind going, being in healthcare leadership, maybe not serving on the clinical side, but maybe on the business side.”
Today, the Kettering Health Main Campus EVS supervisor is beginning an MBA program in healthcare administration at Wright State University.
The path from aspiring physician to aspiring healthcare leader wasn’t the one he expected.
Tester recently graduated from Kettering College with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. He initially considered nursing before switching to a pre-med track, ultimately taking the MCAT and preparing to apply to medical school.
“It was a very difficult decision,” Tester said. “I worked for three, four years to get this degree. You build up to this thing and then you’re deciding whether or not you want it anymore.”
Tester joined Kettering Health during the COVID-19 pandemic as a door ambassador before moving to EVS, where the department’s flexibility allowed him to balance work and school.
Over the next four years, Tester progressed from EVS technician to relief supervisor and eventually supervisor. The role provided opportunities to take on new responsibilities while learning how different parts of the hospital work together to support patient care.
Tester said support from EVS leaders played an important role in his growth and helped shape his interest in healthcare administration. Among them was Main Campus EVS Manager Harrison Wang, who encouraged him as he explored future career opportunities.
Wang said Tester’s development over the past several years has reflected both his work ethic and leadership potential.
“The best thing about Josh is you can always rely on him,” Wang said. “He’ll give you his best day in and day out. He does a very good job. He has a very positive attitude.”
As a supervisor, Tester has become a trusted resource for nursing units and EVS team members alike, helping coordinate room turnover and prioritize patient care needs. Wang said his professionalism and organizational skills have helped him earn the respect of colleagues across the hospital.
Wang believes Tester’s future remains bright regardless of where his career path leads.
“I think Josh is the type of individual that would be successful no matter what he does,” Wang said. “I think the sky’s the limit for Josh.”
This month, Tester began graduate school while continuing to work full time at Kettering Health. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue growing within the organization and eventually move into healthcare administration.
“If I look 10 years down the road, I’d love to be in healthcare administration,” Tester said. “I just want to play a part in trying to make it better, not only for the patients, but for the community as well.”