Navigating from childhood to maturity can be a fraught time, especially for those identified early with a learning disability.

But for one retired Navy chief hospital corpsman and current registered nurse at Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB), being diagnosed with a neurological disorder wasn't an end for her personal growth.

It was just the start.

Kristen B. Thorstenson has amassed professional fulfillment in Navy Medicine and educational achievement, which recently culminated with the completion of her master's degree in health administration, with a concentration in education. She also has Bachelor of Science in nursing and exercise science.

"I needed to study twice as hard as the other students to keep my educational path growing," said Thorstenson. "Education has been a difficult road many times, but it has been worth it," said Thorstenson, a Lake Chelan, Washington, native.

She has worked most recently in NHB's Ambulatory Care Unit (APU) since 2012, until starting her new position with Population Health where her advanced degree will be well utilized.

Thorstenson served 27 years on active duty and as a Navy Reservist, which included being recalled four times, with a deployment to Iraq 2006-07.

"My perseverance to learn and gain new skills made it all possible with the support of special educators and my mom, Charlene Linzy," said Thorstenson. "I had a successful Navy career on active duty and in the Reserves. I retired as a hospital corpsman chief petty officer, but once a chief, always a chief! I have worked at NHB since 1989 while on active duty, Reserve duty, and currently as a civilian staff nurse."

She added attaining her master's had always been a long-term goal which would help her advance in her career, as well as provide new opportunities, challenges, and a way to continue to help patients.

Her new position will focus on helping to improve the command's utilization with the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), a tool used by more than 90 percent of America's health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care and service.

"I'll be working with Dr. Dan Frederick (NHB's Occupational Medicine and Population Health officer) by assisting our Family Medicine providers and nurses in each department deal with patients who have a chronic illness," explained Thorstenson. "I'll help with coordinating education and teaching to improve their quality of life."

According to National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), HEDIS measures address a broad range of important health issues such as asthma medication use; controlling high blood pressure; comprehensive diabetes care; breast cancer screening; antidepressant medication management; childhood and adolescent immunization status; and childhood and adult weight/body mass index assessment.

"I looked forward to the positive interaction of being able to share skills and work with a variety of patients to help them with their health care," Thorstenson said. "What has been difficult at times is to work with patients who have chronic medical conditions and don't take as good care of themselves as they could or should."

Population Health officer(s) duties include enhancing and supporting overall mission readiness by providing epidemiologic services in support of the Navy's disease and injury prevention programs, analyzing clinical data, and providing feedback on quality and availability of care. They also help coordinate health promotion and wellness programs and services to prevent illness, and promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles.

"One example of what I'll be working is with one of our process improvement projects, where we will be able to contact a new mother who might be overwhelmed with reminders about appointments that I can be an advocate to help them here at NHB," explained Thorstenson, who has made a career of helping patients.

She was known to almost every patient who came through APU as being pro-active during their pre- and post-operative time, and also in recovery. She was known for her thoughtful empathy, as well as flamboyant footwear in the traditional sterile recovery suite.

"It's always gratifying helping our patients have a positive experience before and after surgery," related Thorstenson. "I enjoy adding humor to make laughs -- also a good medicine in its own. And my colorful sneakers always bring big smiles."

Thorstenson has learned to utilize every resource available to her in her Navy Medicine career, much as she did when receiving strong support in her formative years before high school to be able to handle learning difficult subjects like math and science fields. Despite the challenges, she didn't stop and confronted every trial head on, aided by a caring, core group of Lake Chelan School District teachers.

"I dedicate my master's to a few key people who helped me at a very young age achieve this goal -- Lynne Page, Cathy Harris, Ann Congdon, Carol Miller, and my mother," said Thorstenson, noting they all took extra time to assist her with reading skills and comprehension before moving on to harder classes and courses.

Thorstenson acknowledged from junior high through college there were times of frustration and stress, particularly with written tests.

Even taking Navy advancement exams.

She refused to be singled out for special treatment due to her learning disability. She utilized tutors, and would tape-record lectures in class before retyping afterwards.

She made it happen.

The fact she earned her master's from University of Phoenix while working full time further highlighted her commitment and determination.

"No matter what your disability may be or how scared you are of failing, don't give up on your education to expand your career," said Thorstenson. "I have been there, done that, and continue to go back despite my learning disability."

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