Things I've Learned: Executive Director Kat Mastrangelo

Who are your role models?

I had the fortunate timing to work with the founding board members of Volunteers in Medicine: Jim Petersen, Jim Lussier, Bob Hakala, MD and Ron Carver, MD. They represent the epitome of a lifetime in service to others. They used their skills and connections to create a Central Oregon institution that has impacted tens of thousands of patients in our community as well as the lives of the volunteers who serve them. I feel lucky and honored to have been mentored by them.

What drew you to Volunteers in Medicine?

I started as a volunteer over 20 years ago. Volunteering at VIM let me feel like my old self for a few hours a week while I was staying home with three school-aged kids. It turned into a career I have loved for close to 18 years now.

What have you learned from parenting that has helped you in your career?

Where to start?! Patience, humility, juggling competing interests, listening skills, negotiation, leadership, decisiveness, flexibility and being ok with “good enough” sometimes. But the most important thing, I think, is to appreciate being a part of something important. I have found busy parents to be some of the best managers in our organization because they have had to learn those skills and be clear about priorities.

What have you learned from your kids?

Each of my kids is very different from one another and from me. They have taught me curiosity about diverse topics and musical genres, how to navigate difficult social situations, staying true to self, etc. Each of them has their own journey, and I cherish being able to watch them step into adult relationships and navigate the same challenges I remember so well. I admire them so much and love them even more.

How is this generation of children different from yours?

For better: kids today are more accepting and unafraid of differences. They are exposed to movies and books that have a wide representation of success. They get to see kindness modeled and celebrated. For the worse: all the time spent on screens, entertainment on demand and the expectation that parents should be available always and everywhere. My oldest did not get a phone until high school, the middle one had a smart phone in middle school and the youngest had one before middle school. The oldest still prefers reading books, while the younger two are well-versed in popular culture and fluent in memes.

Did you ever feel relieved to go to work after an intense parenting session?

Yes! As a leader in our organization, I have seen many of our staff go through big things—sick parents, divorces, their own kid in mental health crisis, etc. Every time something came up, we relied on the philosophy that when life is swirling, work can be a place that feels safe and normal and you can usually feel successful there, even if for only a few hours a day. Thankfully, every employee who has ever needed that extra help came through it and was able to stay on for many years because of the support they received at such a critical time.

What gives you hope in the field of medicine?

The people. Given the current state of healthcare, I sometimes wonder why anyone would still choose the field. But, there are a lot of people who are drawn to science and really like people, and it is still a great place to combine those interests and make a difference in the world. If you want some inspiration, come volunteer with us!

What superpower do you wish you had?

Flying. Not only could I avoid all the construction around town, but being able to see the world from above would provide a different perspective on how things relate to each other and how small some of our problems really are.

This article appears in BendNest Winter 2025.