Lindiwe “Lindy” Deredza, RN, has found her home away from home. This spring, she and her family moved from Zimbabwe, Africa, to Lebanon County to join the team at WellSpan Philhaven.
“Whether you are from a foreign country like me, or from another county, WellSpan is a great choice,” she says. “I made the courageous decision to come here. I needed something challenging, and I wanted to put my passion for psych into practice.”
Lindy says her experience in communities 8,000 miles apart is the same: behavioral health knows no boundaries.
“I love the nursing profession, especially mental health. And I want to help these patients,” says the mom of three who is fluent in English, Ndebele, Shona, Nyanja, and behavioral health. “Many people don’t even know they’re ill. It takes patience, being kind, and listening to their needs.”
Lindy, who is from the Ndebele tribe and has three children with her Shona husband, “loves and appreciates Zimbabwe for grooming me to be a competent and responsible nurse.”
But it was still a culture shock when she arrived in the U.S.
“The people here in my department at WellSpan were so nice and welcomed me, always making sure I was learning and adjusting culturally,” she says. “The technology is very different here – all computers, and no pens and paper. I’ve already learned EPIC and am pursuing my BSN.”
Lindy’s colleagues have given her frequent and universal praise for her skill and hard work.
“She brings her own background and expertise, and we are thankful for the opportunity to have her on the unit. She enhances our ability to provide exceptional care for all,” says Philhaven nurse manager Stephen Jochum. “The diversity of our staff allows for us to better meet our patients’ needs and provide sensitive care to a marginalized patient population.”
Are you, too, passionate about behavioral health? WellSpan Philhaven has 35 locations and 55 programs throughout South Central Pennsylvania, including at four WellSpan hospitals. We’re hiring for many careers: psychiatric technicians, licensed mental health professionals, certified peer specialists, therapists, intake clinicians, APPs, RNs, and many more. Explore open roles at www.joinwellspan.org/behavioral-health/.
