Just like many Kenyans who migrate to the United States, Dorothy Miaka embarked on a journey in search of a better life, overcoming childhood poverty, academic expulsion, and eventual deportation.
Dorothy, who relocated to the US in 1984, shared her tale of triumph, recounting the highs and lows encountered while adapting to a new culture.
Despite the hurdles, the Kenyan entrepreneur established a successful healthcare business in the Wichita region of Kansas, which has thrived for over 20 years.
However, before achieving success, Dorothy faced many challenges, including the threat of deportation following the expiration of her work visa, putting her legal status in the United States at risk.
"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.
The 61-year-old has now been running the Progressive Homecare and Hospice, with services ranging from home healthcare, rehabilitation, hospice, palliative care, and personal care among others.
“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 narrated.
The company, which was first launched in 1995, started as a small operation in one of her daughter’s bedrooms, before acquiring the needed licences and registrations to run the company.
“In 2002, we purchased two buildings, where we currently do all our clinical operations,” she stated.
Dorothy also explained further about the services offered, highlighting the need to keep patients comfortable at home, instead of spending too long in a hospital bed.
“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,” she explained.
“So we come into your home, help you manage the pain, we support you and your family until the end.”
In addition to her healthcare career, Dorothy volunteers at local shelters, and further participates in medical research programs and fundraisers, to make a positive impact in her community.
“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 stated.
