Finding Your Path at Bayhealth: When Career Detours Lead to the Right Place

Lauren Mixon’s connection to Bayhealth began long before her career did. She was born at Bayhealth, and her grandmother retired from the organization. Years later, Lauren would begin building her own career at Bayhealth — and discover that her path didn’t have to be a straight line.

Lauren joined Bayhealth in 2012 at age 18 as a certified nursing assistant while pursuing a nursing degree. Although she originally thought nursing was her path, she soon realized her strengths and interests lay elsewhere.

“I knew I wanted to help people,” Lauren said. “I just didn’t know exactly how.”

After exploring education and childcare, Lauren transition from her role as a relief CNA to full time as a front office assistant in orthopedics. There, she discovered the many ways team members can make a difference beyond direct patient care.

Over the next several years, Lauren built a career supporting others behind the scenes. In Bayhealth's Education Department, she helped support nursing professional development initiatives, the Nurse Residency Program and organization-wide events while earning her bachelor's degree in business administration.

A key influence during that time was Bayhealth Education Department Manager Angeline Dewey, MSN, RN, APRN, who became a mentor and role model. "She showed me what a good leader looks like," Lauren said. "She helped me grow professionally and personally."

In 2024, Lauren joined the Family Medicine Residency Program as program coordinator. Despite having no previous Graduate Medical Education experience, she embraced the opportunity and quickly found her place.

Today, she helps manage the many moving pieces that support resident physicians throughout their training. "I get to be a part of the residents’ journey as they complete the last stage before their career truly begins," said Mixon. "I truly feel like I help make an impact on their journey, and it’s an amazing feeling seeing them progress from day one to their graduation day."

Looking back, Lauren hopes others take away one important message from her story: Career paths don't have to be linear. "There are detours for a reason, but they all end exactly where you're supposed to be," she said. "Just keep going."

Interested in exploring your own career journey at Bayhealth? Visit Bayhealth.org/Careers to learn more about professional development resources and opportunities across the organization.