December 2022

When asking people about which superpowers they wish they had, most respond with abilities such as mind-reading, teleportation, time travel, invisibility, super strength, and the ability to fly. Which are all really awesome superpowers, for sure. When you ask Takisha Foddrell, her answer is the power to heal. And that gives you a pretty good idea what Takisha is all about.

Kisha, as everyone calls her, started out as a massage therapist. “I saw there was a way to help, heal, and de-stress a person through touch and what better way than therapeutic massage,” she says.

After several years working as a full-time massage therapist, she made a career switch to medical assistant. Which, of course, allows her to continue helping people heal (and she still provides massage therapy on a part-time basis).

For more about Kisha, including her love of singing, keep reading:

Q: How long have you been working at Blue Ridge Orthopaedic?

Almost 2 and a half years

Q: What is your job title?

I am a clinical medical assistant

Q: What does your job entail?

Taking care of the patient of course. Assisting my provider with any task or anything they may need assistance with. As well as anything the patients need like their vitals taken, the whole check off.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

The people. As far as the patients, meeting new people, just kind of laughing with them and having a good time with them. And of course my coworkers.

Q: How would you describe your team?

Absolutely FUN.

Q: What is one professional skill you are actively developing?

Casting.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Just still working pretty hard. Still at Blue Ridge. That will continue to go greatly. Doing what I love.

Q: What were you doing before this?

I was a clinical medical assistant at Loudoun Dermatology Associates. I was there for 8 years. Totally different field.

Q: What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?

Definitely don’t be afraid to try new things you know step out there, believe in yourself and just do it.

Q: What’s the best advice you were ever given?

Stay positive and never give up

Q: What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

Either still in the medical field because I love it or working with kids because I love kids.

Q: What profession would you definitely NOT like to do?

Podiatry

Q: What county do you live in?

Fauquier County

Q: What do you like best about your county?

Our county is big and its beautiful, I do love that. Of course the people. I really enjoy the historical beings we have here. Overall a beautiful county to live in.

Q: What is your favorite local business?

Denim and Pearls

Q: What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

Singing! I've been singing since I was a little girl in my church, so about 36 years! I've sung in bands, performed at weddings, sung at funerals or any special occasion. I come from a family of singers and musicians on both sides and that's what we do every time we get together! It’s what I love and enjoy. It's my peace.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?

I am also a massage therapist. My interest in massage therapy began about 17 years ago. I saw there was a way to help, heal and distress a person through touch and what better way than Therapeutic Massage! I attended Heritage Institute in Manassas, VA and graduated top of my class. I started out as a full time therapist and now it's more part time (extra income)!!!

Q: Where’s your favorite place in the world?

Definitely with my family.

Q: If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Michelle Obama. Why because I love what she stands for. She is brilliant and she is strong in her aspect of career and life. Her desire and aspirations to want to make the world a better place in general.

Q: Three words to best describe you:

Silly, driven, and passionate

Q: What is the one thing you can’t live without?

Music. Whether I am listening to it or playing it or singing it.

Q: What is the most recent TV show you binge watched?

The Watcher on Netflix

Q: What is the best movie of all time?

Anybody that knows me will tell you Coming to America is my absolute favorite. I know all the lines in the movie.

Q: If you could have any superpower what would it be?

Healing.

Q: What is one food that you cannot resist?

Pizza.

Q: If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be? Math. I would be a mathematician because I suck at math.

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?

Dog person.

Q: What’s your time of day?

Do you enjoy the morning or the evening? Evening.

Q: What would you eat if you had to eat only one meal every day for the rest of your life? Pizza.