Singing. Stephen King. Seizing the day. These are just a few pieces that make up Erika Bolton, one of four interns in the UofL Health – Marketing and Communications department.
Erika has been an intern with our organization since April 2021. As a marketing intern, Erika assists the Marketing and Communications team with different tasks and projects that help raise brand awareness of our organization. Her daily tasks and projects are constantly changing; one minute, she’s running errands at UofL Hospital or one of our Medical Centers, and the next she’s creating and curating content for our strategic managers for their service lines’ websites or promotional materials.
“I love how everyone at UofL Health is so dedicated to their work in health care and passionate about helping others, no matter which department why may be in,” Erika said.
What attracted Erika the most to our internship was the authenticity of the people and the purpose of our work as a health care system.
“In the Marketing department, you’re not just marketing a single product or service; it’s so much deeper than that,” Erika said. “We are promoting the care of other human beings, and when your purpose is so authentic, it’s easy to be passionate about your work. It’s extremely fulfilling.”
Interning is a special experience because it helps to develop your professionalism, define your strengths and weaknesses and form a path for your future career. For Erika, interning at UofL Health is an extra special experience.
Erika is the daughter of the late Steve Bolton, a nurse on 7 South at UofL Hospital for more than 25 years. He was widely known for his care and generosity. He loved to educate and train new nurses, teaching them knowledge ha had gained through his tenure.
Steve was well-liked by his team members and would go above and beyond for others. Through one act of kindness, Steve fixed drywall for a fellow nurse who had water damage voluntarily. During the holidays, Steve would hunt and bring in turkey jerky on thanksgiving to give back to his team.
Upon his unexpected death in September 2017, his team members ensure his legacy of a servant’s heart as a nurse continued. In his honor, UofL Hospital established the Steve Bolton Fund which allows education opportunities for nurses that normally are not available without additional assistance. Such opportunities include conferences, scholarships and other bedside skills. This is the only known scholarship solely ran by nurse practitioners and all money for the fund is fundraised throughout the year.
“When I first found out about the Steve Bolton fund and scholarship, my family and I were touched,” Erika said. “I loved that my father’s colleagues not only found a way to honor him in such a sweet way but to help give other aspiring nurses the chance to follow their dreams the way he once had.”
The largest fundraiser of the year is the Nightingale 5K race. This year, the race is offering both in person and virtual options, with the in-person race starting at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at the University of Louisville ShelbyHurst campus. All of the proceeds from the race go toward the Steve Bolton scholarship for UofL Hospital nurses.
“I think the Nightingale race is such a great way to support the Steve Bolton fund and bring everyone together for some fun – especially over the last year,” Erika said.
When Erika is not working in the Marketing department, you can find her nose deep in a textbook, studying for her next exam. Erika is a senior Marketing major with a minor in Communications at the University of Louisville. After graduation, Erika hopes to break into the fashion communications world or start her career at a magazine company.
Her love for fashion is matched by her love for travel. Over the next couple of years, Erika hopes to visit all 50 states with her travel companion and golden doodle, Rosie.
Along her travels, Erika hopes to find the best places to get a bowl of macaroni and cheese or a plate of homemade biscuits and gravy. She’ll also take a copy of her favorite book, The Institute by Stephen King.
If you see Erika out and about, or at the Nightingale race Aug. 7, make sure to introduce yourself and ask about her feelings on the ending of the notorious Netflix series, Manifest. She would love to talk and get to know you!
