Schekesia Meadough is the vice president of clinical and health services at Bellevue’s Aegis Living, a leader in senior assisted living and memory care. Learn about Schekesia Meadough…
Hometown: I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but I spent the majority of my life in Houston, Texas.
First job: I was a CNA (certified nursing assistant) right after high school at a skilled nursing facility. I knew I was going to be a nurse from a very early age – that was always a dream of mine.
What are your favorite ways to spend your free time in WA? Coming from Texas, we are a big sports family. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the local teams and attending games – from the Kraken to UW Basketball.
What is your biggest accomplishment and why? My biggest accomplishment is being the mother to two amazing children. They are now grown men. When I look at them, I couldn’t be more proud of the people they are. My oldest son is in medical school and my youngest is a college athlete. The degrees I have earned, the positions I have held – nothing holds a candle.
What is the biggest obstacle you overcame? The pandemic, hands down. We didn’t know anything at the beginning and we were caring for some of our most vulnerable seniors. I led my organization at the time, overseeing communities across five states. From the ground up, I developed and executed all of our COVID-19 protocols and procedures. And looking back, we did an incredible job!
Who is someone who inspires you and why? My mom has always been an inspiration for me – personally and professionally. She overcame many obstacles as an African American woman. She was the first African American woman to serve as a revenue agent on the capitol grounds in the Stacy building in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is both an amazing mother and wife and taught me that family is first and education is important. She really set the foundation for my life. I am a proud mother and wife, and I am proud of my accomplishments professionally. I am the first African American female vice president in most positions I have held.
What is advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do? I would start working in the field right away, and ideally, in the type of position, you hope to attain. For someone who is pursuing a career in nursing, working as a nurse aide can really help you learn the basic nursing skills that are required as a nurse. I also think volunteering is an incredible way to learn more and gain professional guidance and connections.
What is your favorite quote? “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life, as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” –Booker T. Washington
What is something someone would be surprised to learn about you? I write songs and poetry.
What makes someone fabulous? There are so many things that make someone fabulous but I really think about a person’s positive impact on others. Some of the people who have the greatest impact on me are strategic, willing to try new things, approachable, have good attitudes and have good energy. Those are just a few of the qualities I look for.