Conversations with Porothea Dennis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Porothea Dennis.

Hi Porothea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Porthea Dennis and I graduated from Dayton Dunbar in 1989 when I graduated. I was a mother of 2 and I graduated third in class with a good support system both community and family. From the time I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a nurse so I started my journey with 2 children at the age of 16 and adding on 2 more by the time I was 22. I grew up in the West side of Dayton mostly and lived in Parkside Homes. Dunbar Manor, Hilltop Homes, and Lakeview Estates. I started out as a candy striper at MVH and an STNA, While working and and attending classes I then graduated with my l.PN from MVCTC in 1994 and started working as LPN in 1995 I did this through the JTPA. I then in 1997 entered into Sinclair community college into their ADN nursing program. I graduated from there in 2001. At this time I was a mother of 4 and before my eyes they were growing up. I came from a single parent family home but there was always someone in my life that I received support from such as my my grandmother and all the other adults placed in my life. I then went on to work at the Dayton VA medical center. After working in a nursing facility as well as the Dayton VA Medical Center. I got the opportunity to obtain my bachelor’s in nursing through Indiana Wesleyan University and then my Master’s in Nursing Education and then a Pos-Master ‘s Degree as a Nurse Practitioner, I have always been involved with the community. As an advocate for our community and other healthcare topics. I help others realize that we are in this together to improve our outcomes. I had a heart attack and a stroke on October 29th, 2017, then I went on dialysis February 1. 2018 and I received my second chance of life by receiving a kidney transplant on August 31st 2021. My life has not been a piece of pie, but there has always been someone there to support me and nudge me on. I am currently the president of the Jane Reece Neighborhood Association amd in this role i advocate and lead by example for improvent in not only this neighborhood but for all through collaboration. I believe having a strong community is essential and by sharing all the resources that you know about with others you uplift and empower all the individuals around you who will uplift you. It is an reciprocal process. I currently am a school nurse with the district that I graduated from Dayton public schools. I enjoy seeing my my pupils advance as they go up in their grade levels and go forth. I enjoy assisting the parents to access resources that will help them in areas they may need asdistance. This all happens through communicating with everyone. I participate in advocacy in Washington DC with various organizations that I volunteer for and some of those organizations are WomemHeart: The national coalition for women with heart disease. Dialysis Patient Citizens American Kidney, Fund, National kKdney Fund. I am a Kidney Coach i teach others about kidney disease. I am also a CASA for Juvenile Court which is a Court-Appointed Special Advocate. I’m also a community health worker. I believe in assisting others to become the best them they can be through aiding them with what they self identify is their need. My family is important to me as they keep me going.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not always been a smooth road for me. I’ve had some hurdles to get over. Being a teenage mother was one of my struggkes.. Being an educated black woman is a hurdle in a sense. We struggled coming up, but those struggle has helped me become the person. I am today humbling myself to know that others may have experienced the same road but took a different path. The mentoring and the coaching that I received from those adults that was placed in my life I did not understand why they believed so much in me when I did not believe it myself. Although as I look back I see why I was invested in.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a mother/grandmother first and foremost, but nursing is my passion. I became an STNA right out of high school. I became an LPN in 1994, an ADN RN in 2001, BSN RN in 2007, an MSN RN in 2010 and a Pos-Master in 2014. I have worked at various nursing facilities and several hospitals. My career spans across all fields in nursing. I do own Dependable Care Traveling NP LLC which is a company I started to do mobile physicals for CDL holders and Sports physicals for youth

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love reading the Bible, all of Maya Angelou’s books and poems. Oprah Winfrey’s book What Happened to you? I love anything nursing. Self Cate practices and my favorite is at home foot soaks and relaxing with a crossword puzzle book or coloring book. I like the app calm and will listen to podcast that people recommend. I like TED talks on Education and Healthcare.