Alumni Spotlight: Alexis 'Lexi' Schlotter

Name: Alexis "Lexi" Schlotter

Title and company: Registered nurse on the COVID-19 ICU at AdventHealth Orlando

Years attended Seminole State College: 2010 -2012; 2018 - 2019

Degrees earned while at Seminole State: Associate in Arts in 2012 and Associate in Science in Nursing in 2019. 

Did you go on to a four-year college or university following your time spent at Seminole State?
I completed my first bachelor's degree in biology at UCF in 2015 and returned to school to pursue nursing. I completed my nursing education at the Seminole State/UCF concurrent nursing program in 2019.

What position did you play on the Seminole State softball team?
I played at Seminole State from 2010-2012 and played left field, sometimes right field and pinch hitter.

Any favorite memory of your time, team or Coach Courtney Miller?
My all-time favorite memory while at Seminole State was winning the state championship in Pensacola in 2012 and traveling to Utah for the national tournament that spring. It was an experience that I will truly never forget and one that I will cherish forever. Overall, my time with Courtney, Jack (Bitzer), Bill (Fields) and the girls I had the honor of playing and forming friendships with were some of the best memories I have made in my life, thus far. My time at Seminole State is one that I can always look back upon and smile!  

How did your experience as a student-athlete help with your life or current situation? 
My experience as a student-athlete helped shape my mindset for the current situation I'm in by teaching me the importance of dedication, teamwork dynamics and perseverance. Working in the COVID-19 ICU is physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. We care for our patients who are not allowed to have family or friends visit, so we (RNs and respiratory therapists) then become their only human interaction while they are in isolation. It can be very trying at times to remain positive and see the light in this situation, but we still show up for work and care for our patients to the best of our abilities. Courtney is one of the most amazing women I have met and I will always value what she taught me on and off the field.

Can you share an uplifting story about your work that you have experienced over the last few weeks?
In my unit we have a whiteboard where we keep track of the patients we have been able to extubate (take off of ventilator support) and patients that we have downgraded to PCU status or discharged back home with their loved ones. Seeing this board daily while I am at work is reassurance that what we are doing as a team is making a huge difference in so many peoples' lives. This is a huge reminder of why I chose the nursing field, and there is no other place I would rather be than taking care of my patients alongside my awesome coworkers!  

Anything else you want to add?
Courtney, Jack and Bill have made a huge impact in my life. I know they continue to do so with each young lady that has the opportunity to play at Seminole State! In regard to our current situation, everyone is helping to flatten the curve by staying home and following proper safety guidelines. I know we are all itching to return to our normal lives, but we appreciate all the hard work the community is doing by helping us! Whether it is donating food, staying at home, making masks and scrub caps etc. All the hard work does not go unnoticed and we appreciate everything the community is doing for front-line workers!