2007 Most Influential Women Honoree: Nancy (Waring) Bolduc

Nancy (Waring) Bolduc credits the capable, caring and passionate women at CoxHealth’s Women’s Center with much of her success as the center’s director.

“One of my mentors once said, ‘Surround yourself with good people, and everything else will fall in place,’” Bolduc said. “Of course it takes more than that to be a successful leader, but I think that having a quality group of people who care about their jobs is a key reason that the Women’s Center has been such a cornerstone for women’s health for the past 20 years.”

Bolduc, who became a licensed nursing home administrator at the age of 25, said she’s most proud of her work in health care, a field for which she showed an aptitude at an early age.

“I have always had a love for health care and helping people,” Bolduc said. “One of the memories that my grandmother loved to talk about was how I interacted with the residents when (we) would go and visit my grandfather in the nursing home.”

In her current job, Bolduc finds satisfaction in the opportunities she has to influence others.

“Whether it is preparing parents for the birth of a child, teaching women how to stay heart-healthy, talking to adolescent girls about puberty or educating women about osteoporosis, the Women’s Center makes sure that each woman has the tools to be successful in their health needs.”

Bolduc also has found ways to reach the community outside of her work. She enjoys her service with the Junior League of Springfield, which works to improve the community’s health and welfare through the Tooth Truck and the crisis nursery known as Isabel’s House. She also works with GYN Cancers Alliance, formerly called New Hope, which is especially dear to her after losing her mother to cancer when she was 11.

She also is involved with the American Heart Association, the Community Healthy Marriage Initiative and the advisory council of Schweitzer United Methodist Church.

One-on-one with Nancy (Waring) Bolduc

What advice do you have for young women preparing to enter the work force?

Do something that makes you happy. I chose health care and have stayed in it because I love it.

Beyond the Golden Rule, what philosophy guides you?

One of my favorite things my grandmother always used to tell me, the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”

When you were young, what did you want to do when you grew up?

After flying for the first time when I was young, I decided I wanted to be a flight attendant and travel every day.

What’s something about you that most people don’t know?

I sing, and have my associate degree in vocal music. I broke my jaw in a fluke accident and had it wired shut for five weeks. That prompted my decision to change my major and career path from music to health care.

What books are you reading?

The latest mystery I’m reading is Carl Hiassen’s “Native Tongue.” Our leadership book club at work is reading “The Power of Full Engagement,” by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz.

Please tell us about your family.

I’m newly married to Dave Bolduc. My son, Jace, is 9, and Dave’s kids are Paige, 16, and Neil, 13.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.