Get To Know: Ronnica Harris | Broadlawns Celebrates Black History Month

February 26, 2021

Ronnica Harris

Ronnica Harris, Psychiatric TechnicianJob Title

Psychiatric Technician, Crisis Observation Center

Tell us about what you do in a typical day.

My day starts at 5 a.m. having coffee with my hubby and watching the news, then I get ready for work.

I work 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. After work I pick up my youngest daughter and one-year-old granddaughter. I keep her while my daughter works until 10 p.m. Then we start all over again. My husband and I love to go for long walks on the trails.

How long have you worked at BMC?

I’ve worked at Broadlawns for a little over three years.

What attracted you to a career in healthcare?

My grandma was in a nursing home and the night they called the family in we only had hours left before she took her last breath. I sat with her and whispered in her ear. I promised her that I would take care of people that weren’t able to take care of themselves. After her passing, I found a job at Optimae LifeServices. I worked that job for 10 years, then I came to Broadlawns Medical Center.

What do you like about working at BMC?

The people. I love working with people and for people.

Name a Black American you admire and think people should learn more about.

Maya Angelou, John Lewis, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison.

What books by Black authors do you recommend?

Life Lessons for My Sisters by Natasha Munson.

What does it mean to be an inclusive healthcare provider?

Serving a diverse patient base. Serving patients based on their own personal needs. Recognizing a patient’s cultural needs. Communication. Welcoming space.

What ways do you challenge/invite others to honor Black history, this month and beyond?

Learn about the Black inventors who made daily life easier. They are often overlooked. 

  • Sarah Boone: improved the ironing board in 1892
  • Mary Van Brittan Brown Co: invented the home security system in 1966
  • Garrett Morgan: invented the three-light traffic light in 1923
  • Frederick McKinley Jones: invented the refrigerated truck in 1940