Dorothy Miaka set out on a journey in pursuit of a better life, battling childhood poverty, academic expulsion, and eventual deportation, just like many Kenyans who move to the United States.
After moving to the US in 1984, she told her story of success and the highs and lows she experienced adjusting to a new culture.
Notwithstanding the obstacles, Miaka founded a prosperous healthcare company in the Wichita, Kansas, area that has prospered for more than 20 years.
But she had to overcome numerous obstacles before she could succeed, such as the risk of being deported when her work visa expired, which would have jeopardized her legal standing in the country.
“At that point, I was dating my husband, and I told him he was going to lose me as I was getting deported back to Kenya. If you don’t marry me I will just go back home. So we got married and I continued with my career,” she narrated,” she said.
Since then, Miaka has been in charge of Progressive Homecare and Hospice, which offers a variety of services like personal care, hospice, palliative care and in-home healthcare.
“I was a registered nurse, and I worked in a hospital for a little bit. I did Medical surgery, among others to become a better nurse. I later moved away from the institution to focus on home health,” she added.
First established in 1995, the business began as a little venture in one of her daughters’ bedrooms before obtaining the necessary permits and registrations to operate.
After getting the requisite licences, they bought a building in 2002 where they run their operations to date.
Miaka emphasized the need of keeping patients comfortable at home rather than having them stay in a hospital bed for extended periods of time.
“We also take care of end-of-life patients. When the doctor tells you there is nothing more we can do, there is pain and anxiety and the family doesn’t know what to do. So we come into your home, help you manage the pain, we support you and your family until the end,” she said.
To have a positive influence on her neighborhood, Miaka engages in medical research initiatives, fundraisers and volunteer work at nearby shelters.
“We have a team of 75 employees. We have registered nurses at the top to set up care plans, then we have Licensed Practical Nurses(LPNs), hospice aid and homecare aids and physical and occupational therapists,” she said.
