In July, 10 women from Kettering Health’s Information Systems (IS) Department traded their computers for hammers and nails to help build a home for a local family.

Beth Search, Lisa Shivers, Natalie Burke, Rhonda Coleman, Loretta Gaul, Mary Schudrowitz, Brenda Oliver, Gayle-Marie Maberry, Suzanne Stewart, and Jennifer Gunter joined Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton for a day as part of their mission as Women in Healthcare IT.

Started in 2017, this group discusses topics faced by women in IT and aims to create a space of support, empowerment, and learning.

Beth Search leads Women in Healthcare IT. “On International Women’s Day in March 2017, we had our first meeting,” she said. “Part of our charter was to have a service mindset, because it’s always about how we show up and serve others at work, at home, and within our communities.” They aim to do one to two service projects each year.

Empowering women in IT

The group’s first community service project was with the Dayton-based nonprofit On-Purpose Academy and Mentoring Center (then On-Purpose Girls Mentoring), which provides educational and support services to area youth. From 2017-2019, Women in Healthcare IT participated twice a week in classes with girls of all ages on IT topics ranging from basic computing skills and coding to building small robots and programming them for movement.

“We’re always looking for ways to give back, especially to female youth who are interested in information technology careers,” said Lisa Shivers. “We’d like them to see the kinds of things we work on, so they’re aware of the possibilities.”

Serving with Habitat for Humanity has also been on their radar.

“We’ve wanted to do a service project for the community, and Habitat for Humanity was at the top of our list,” said Lisa. “When we saw there was a ‘Women Build’ theme for the Greater Dayton chapter, it was clear this was a good fit.”

Women Build, a Habitat for Humanity program, is dedicated to empowering women to build stronger communities. Each year, a family in Habitat’s homeownership program is selected as its Women Build family. The program was the perfect fit for Women in Healthcare IT.

Sawdust in their hair

Volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity build was a first for many of the women, including Suzanne Stewart.

She and Brenda Oliver worked side-by-side, hanging shelves in the closets and pantry. “I have always wanted to assist on a Habitat for Humanity build,” said Suzanne. “This gave me the opportunity to not only do that but also spend time with my co-workers.”

Brenda felt a powerful connection to the day. “Knowing that the littlest thing I did—building a closet frame, picking up trash in the yard, picking up tools, etc.—is going to make a huge difference in someone’s life is the greatest reward,” she said. “Although I left with a blister on my hand and sawdust in my hair, I would do it over and over again.”

The work involved may have exceeded some expectations, but they left inspired, knowing the role they played, however small, would help give a local family a home.

“My biggest takeaway is knowing that providing my time helping put up posts around a porch will mean so much more to the family moving into this home,” said Jennifer Gunter. “Things people take for granted mean so much to others!”

Building a home, building a team

Together, they built not only a home but also a stronger team.

“Everyone worked together as a team, from making sure the site was kept clean and safe, to measuring and cutting wood, to framing and building the porches,” said Gayle-Marie Maberry.

Natalie Burke found it critical for the team to communicate clearly and be on the same page.

They felt not only more connected to one another but also to our system’s mission. “It feels good to extend Kettering Health’s brand and mission outside of our day-to-day work in the community,” said Natalie. “This project was all about improving the quality of life for the people in our communities.”

Committed to serving

Women in Healthcare IT have also participated in local events with Technology First, Girl Scouts, and Sinclair College’s STEM program.

In addition to Habitat for Humanity, they’ve volunteered with Shoes 4 the Shoeless and donated to Kettering Health employee initiatives like the backpack and school supply drive, Thanksgiving food drives, and the Christmas Adopt-a-Family program.

And these women volunteer beyond their involvement with Women in Healthcare IT. “There’s always great need for extra support in our communities, and I’m blessed to fill in gaps whenever I can,” said Rhonda Coleman.

In fact, they’re already excited for their next opportunity to support a build for Habitat for Humanity.