Milia Hambric

I was born in Columbus, Ohio, but I grew up in Lorain, Ohio. Lorain is a small melting pot made up of immigrants who came to America through Cleveland, and my grandparents were part of that group. Growing up, Lorain moved at a slower pace than the bigger cities around it, and I really loved that. It’s very family-oriented and Lake Erie’s beach is just a 10-minute drive away.

My dad was in the military and was stationed in different places across the country. When his unit held special events, our family would go. We met other military families and their kids, and we usually stayed on base. Even though it wasn’t luxurious, as a kid it felt like an adventure. We got to ride in helicopters, climb inside tanks, and watch soldiers marching in cadence – which was pretty amazing at that age!

After high school, I went to Columbus State Community College and completed two years there. Then I graduated from Franklin University with a major in Healthcare Management and a minor in Human Resources Management. I’ve always looked up to my father. Throughout my childhood I watched him work full time while taking college classes and eventually earning his degree. He taught me that no matter the challenges, you keep pushing forward. He inspired me then, and he continues to inspire me now.

The most rewarding part of my job is being able to solve problems and create documentation that helps educate users. One of the more challenging parts is when there’s an issue – but very little information to work with. I like to look at those situations as a scavenger hunt, working through the clues until I reach a solution or at least understand the reasoning behind it!

I didn’t plan on a career in IT, but my education and Epic skills naturally led me in that direction. I really enjoy what I do, but if I had taken a different path, I would have loved to become a certified nurse practitioner or a doctor in a specialized field.

If I could do my job from anywhere in the world, I’m not entirely sure where that would be, but it would definitely be somewhere warm, with sand and the sea, and a desk overlooking the ocean. The sound and sight of water is incredibly calming to me and brings a real sense of peace.

My father. From the time I was little through high school, I watched him work hard to take care of my sibling and me while also going to college. Seeing him push through challenges, achieve his goals, and still be there for us taught me resilience, strength, and determination. He has always been encouraging and supportive. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also include my faith in God, which has kept me humble and grounded.

Recently, I learned what a cairn is, those stacked stones you see along hiking trails. Each stone is different in shape and size, but together they help guide you forward and mark progress until you reach the next point.

I don’t have a long bucket list, and I’ve already checked a few things off. But one thing I really want to do next is travel to Japan. It’s something I’ve thought about doing for a long time, and friends who have been there say it’s amazing.

That’s an easy one. If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be my grandfather on my mother’s side. He passed away before I was born so I only know him through photos and the stories my family has shared. I’d love to ask him about our family, our land, and our traditions in Italy to learn more about who he was and spend time with him.