Kirsten Lambert – Shelbyville, Tennessee

WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?
I have been a physician assistant (PA) since 2010 and worked in emergency medicine since 2011.

WHERE DO YOU WORK?
Currently I work in the Emergency Room at Tennova Harton located in Tullaholma, Tennessee.

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? TELL US ABOUT A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU.
I am the head advanced practice clinician in our ER but also have several administrative duties. A typical workday for me prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was working our late shift from 1pm-11pm. At Tennova Harton we see all types of patients, from toothaches and back pain to strokes and heart attacks. Working in the ER is a very “edge of your seat” unpredictable job and that is one thing I love about it. You never know walking in each day exactly what you are going to get. The most rewarding part of my job is making a difference in someone’s life.

HOW HAS THE CORONAVIRUS AFFECTED YOUR JOB?
We in the Emergency Department and our hospital follow infection control protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Patients are being screened for known risk factors. If a patient meets the criteria, they will be given a medical mask to wear, isolated in a private room or separate area away from other patients, and attending staff will wear personal protective equipment (PPE). From a personal standpoint, in addition to everyday normal precautions like practicing good hand washing hygiene, I am taking a few extra precautionary steps. For example, when I arrive home from work I spray my shoes with alcohol and leave them outside. Once inside, my scrubs and everything else I wore that day immediately goes into the washer’s sanitary cycle and I go straight to the shower using a strong sanitizing soap. There are lots of healthcare providers I know who are quarantining themselves from their families, and if nothing else from their children. It is impacting all of our lives in ways we never could have imagined even a few months ago.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE HORSE BUSINESS AND/OR HOW ARE YOU RELATED TO THE TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE INDUSTRY?
I have been in and around the horse business since I was born. My parents, Scott and Michelle Lambert, met through the industry; my dad was a trainer and my mom showed walking horses most of her life. When I was a year old, I got my very first horse, Little Bit, and won a Lead Line World Championship with her.

DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE HORSES IN TRAINING AND IF SO WHO ARE THEY AND WHO IS YOUR TRAINER?
I currently do not have horses in training but in the past have had horses with Allan Callaway, Casey Wright and at our family farm with my Dad.

TELL US ABOUT A SPECIAL HORSE RELATED MEMORY WHETHER IN THE RING, ON THE TRAIL OR AT THE BARN?
Hands down this was when I won the 1996 World Championship 11 & Under Mares class on my horse of a lifetime Dark Spirit’s Lou. My Dad was my trainer and I can remember how ecstatic he was about this and the look on his face as we left the ring that night. The Report captured a picture of the huge bear hug he gave me after we left the ring. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with cancer in 2014, so this is one of my most cherished moments with him.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PASS ALONG TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY?
Take a deep breath, stay calm, stay home, use common sense and wash your hands. Panic is everyone’s worst enemy right now. Continue to support your local and horse show businesses, including your trainers. Do not be upset when shows are cancelled, or you are not allowed to visit barns. Think of all the people in your family and the horse industry who are over 50 or immunocompromised. Those are the people we are staying home for.