Staff Spotlight: Meet Melanie Orel
A company's excellence out in the world starts from within. We hire the best, brightest minds we can find — and we take care of them to the fullest extent possible. Team OCTO® is diverse, savvy, dedicated, highly skilled, and supremely passionate. And you should meet them. So, we're introducing you to the team with a new Staff Spotlight interview series.
In honor of Nurse's Week, let's kick this off with our very own in-house nurse and medical technology and operations expert Melanie Orel.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I think happiness is what you feel when your relationships are fulfilling and your life is balanced and harmonious with nature.
What is your greatest fear?
I’m an ambitious person, so I tend to get anxious if I think I won’t achieve the goals I set for myself in life.
What is your greatest extravagance?
A quiet space. That might not seem extravagant to some people, but when your life is as busy as mine can be, you definitely learn to appreciate the quiet moments!
What is your current state of mind?
Right now, I’m feeling very balanced and confident. The past year has been rough on so many people due to the coronavirus pandemic, but with vaccinations being rolled out to more and more people, we’re finally seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Plus, the progress we’re making at OCTO® is giving me a lot of hope for the future. I think people will come out of this pandemic feeling more prepared in the event of a future epidemic or pandemic. That’s something to feel good about.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I say the words “vegan” and “I wish” all the time. I can’t help it!
Which talent would you most like to have?
I think it would be really cool, and helpful, if I could see into the future. It might take me out of the present moment, so I’d need to be careful with it, but it would be great to be prepared for whatever’s coming next in any given scenario. I’d also like to have a better technical understanding. I’ve learned a great deal becoming a nurse and now working at OCTO®, but technology and its many intricacies can be hard to wrap your mind around.
What do you most value in your friends?
I appreciate my friends as they are, and they’re all so different. But there are a few common threads between most of my friends. They’re down to earth, honest, open minded, supportive, and they all genuinely try to be good people in the world.
What is your motto?
I have two. The first is to stay open minded. When your mind is open, you’ll learn so much more in everyday life, and you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities that come knocking on your door. If your mind is closed off, you might never see the potential of where your life can go. And second, I believe you have to do better today than you did yesterday. Your past might explain your current circumstances, but your past doesn’t have to define your future. Strive to do better every day, and you’ll grow into a better life all around.
About Melanie Orel
Melanie Orel, born in Austria, current Principal of Operations at OCTO® Safety Devices , responsible for day to day operations, product quality and R&D, prior VP of Support and QA at CareCloud/ MTBC and VP of Client Operations and KIPU Health. Registered nurse (BSN equivalent), worked in ICU, post Op and maxillofacial surgery before moving on to IT nursing. Worked in health care IT and health care documentation quality for over 15 years. Animal lover, vegan, and environmentalist.