Aurora Weddle

Executive MBA Online, Class of 2020
Director, Diagnostic Imaging, Prosser Memorial Health

Unleashing her BRING IT attitude.

Imagine you’re a Diagnostic Imaging Director, wife, and mother of three. You’ve come to a point where you’re determined to further your education to advance your career. You do your research, find the perfect online program, and begin classes.

Then, as you start your journey into higher education, you begin sharing your news around the hospital water cooler. While some of your co-workers express their well wishes, a male colleague asks you sarcastic questions like, “What are you studying, basket weaving? Underwater basket weaving?” That’s what Aurora Weddle faced as she launched into her success story.

MBA student Candice Borek standing outside.

Working, Learning, and Succeeding.

Aurora continued working during undergraduate and graduate school. She worked alongside countless nurses, technicians, doctors, administrators and, occasionally, executives. Working with such a variety of professionals brought challenges and opportunities.

Her first challenge was to open a nuclear medicine department at the hospital for high-quality diagnostic scans. Aurora had no experience initiating a project of this scope, working with the Department of Health, or meeting with architects and engineers. To be successful, she leaned on her mentors and built a team of people with the skills and knowledge to select the best equipment and supplies for the project. Together, Aurora and her team accomplished their goal and opened the hospital's first nuclear medicine center.

Along the way, she encountered people who were difficult to work with—people who preferred demeaning communication, name-calling, and putdowns over constructive conversations. Aurora knew then that she would never conduct herself or manage others in that way. Instead, she would choose respect and inspiration to create an environment where everyone could grow together.

Reaching for the Top.

Communication is a critical skill for success in any environment. Aurora made mental notes of these exchanges, outlined more productive communication styles, and worked to perfect her own style of communicating with her coworkers. She learned many lessons this way as she earned her degrees and began to climb the healthcare ladder.

After Aurora started in the Executive MBA Online program at Washington State University, she ran into someone who had previously doubted her. This time their exchange was decidedly different and extremely beneficial.

Obviously, he saw the change in me from when I decided to go back to school. Then he volunteered to be my mentor at the hospital. My hard work was already paying off.

Aurora completed her Executive MBA Online in 2020 and holds a director’s position at Prosser Memorial Health. Throughout her time at WSU, she gained not only knowledge but self-confidence, and she began to truly embrace her BRING IT attitude.

The impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare system has delayed her mentorship, but she remains excited about the future and all its opportunities.