A Day in the Life of a Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor: Meet Heather Ballard
By Niko Soriano - April 30, 2025
Working in eye banking is a unique experience that offers opportunities in a niche area, attracting those who are looking to make a difference in the medical field. Our talented team at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank (RMLEB) serves our local, regional, and international communities, 24/7/365.
Meet Heather Ballard, a Navy veteran and former hospital security guard now serving as a Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor at the eye bank. As a Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor, Heather is responsible for managing and daily planning of eligibility and recovery functions, ensuring proper training and proficiency, and advocating for donors and their families. Growing up, Heather initially had plans to become a doctor, but as happens often in life, plans change and after her military service she became a security guard at a hospital.
While serving as a hospital security guard, Heather was able to witness a corneal recovery and it piqued her interest. A few years later, Heather found herself looking into an opportunity at the eye bank to get the medical experience she desired in a field that fascinated her. She would be able to experience the surgical side of healthcare and work within an area she was quite passionate about.
Heather’s Grandfather Tex
Not only did Heather have the desire to help others medically, she was also intrinsically motivated in her work at the eye bank. Her grandfather, Tex, was experiencing blindness himself - macular atrophy, a degenerative retinal condition that he was born with. Even with the degenerative condition, Heather’s grandfather Tex worked his entire life in a paper box factory, living independently until his vision deteriorated more significantly. He was successful in his career by memorizing where everything was located in the factory and performing his job functions proficiently. Heather says, “The mission here has a special meaning for me because I know what’s on the other side.”
Heather started as a recovery technician and in time became an Eligibility Specialist working with the eye bank for eight years before becoming a Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor, a role she has been in for the past three years.
Biggest Takeaways and Benefits of the Job
From her experience here at the eye bank, Heather says that some of her biggest takeaways have been gaining medical knowledge, opening further career options, multi-tasking and prioritization of tasks. Heather says that, “it’s like a puzzle,” piecing together all the elements from recovery to eligibility screening all the way to placement for transplantation and research. Heather’s work detail has included reaching out to donor families, performing cornea/sclera recoveries, reading medical charts, researching tissue needs across the world and working internally to assure that we are heading towards the best outcomes possible. When these puzzle pieces align, the eye bank can help restore sight.
“Trying to take all the pieces of it and fit them together so that it’s where it actually needs to be is like a puzzle… and not panicking when you get in those types of situations.”
When considering the complexity of working nightshift, Heather said, “I really enjoy nights, it has a lot of difficulties and challenges that dayshift doesn’t have--- Sometimes you have to change your schedule, and it can be very stressful. It can be very difficult when coordinating because you have to learn how to find things on your own and you have to answer your own questions so it’s a lot more challenging in that way.” While it may seem tough, the pros outweigh the cons for Heather. “On the other side of that, [it] makes you a stronger tech because you have to find those answers for yourself.”
In terms of the work environment Heather prefers, “I like people but I like a few people at a time. [On] nights it’s nice and mellow, you have your alone time and you can focus. There’s less of that ambient stress.”
Outside of work, Heather enjoys a laid-back attitude and spending time with family. She looks up to her husband who is a security guard working the night shift as well. “He cares a lot about his integrity and being honest in what he does in life, and I think that’s important. Deep down, honesty and caring about what you’re doing, whatever level it is, making sure that you’re doing it well, is important.”
Heather’s advice to those considering a career with the RMLEB, “You have to come into it knowing it’s going to be stressful but see it as a challenge. You have to be able to set your own limits and pace yourself.”
Heather’s career journey that led to her viewing a recovery before even working at the eye bank is unique: combined with her passion for restoring sight. Heather has thrived in her position as Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor. Although the work may be stressful, the impact that Heather has made over the years is immeasurable and stretches across thousands of donors and recipients in the Colorado and Wyoming region and beyond.
Go Back Meet Heather Ballard, a Navy veteran and former hospital security guard now serving as a Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor at the eye bank. As a Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor, Heather is responsible for managing and daily planning of eligibility and recovery functions, ensuring proper training and proficiency, and advocating for donors and their families. Growing up, Heather initially had plans to become a doctor, but as happens often in life, plans change and after her military service she became a security guard at a hospital.
While serving as a hospital security guard, Heather was able to witness a corneal recovery and it piqued her interest. A few years later, Heather found herself looking into an opportunity at the eye bank to get the medical experience she desired in a field that fascinated her. She would be able to experience the surgical side of healthcare and work within an area she was quite passionate about.
Heather’s Grandfather Tex
Not only did Heather have the desire to help others medically, she was also intrinsically motivated in her work at the eye bank. Her grandfather, Tex, was experiencing blindness himself - macular atrophy, a degenerative retinal condition that he was born with. Even with the degenerative condition, Heather’s grandfather Tex worked his entire life in a paper box factory, living independently until his vision deteriorated more significantly. He was successful in his career by memorizing where everything was located in the factory and performing his job functions proficiently. Heather says, “The mission here has a special meaning for me because I know what’s on the other side.”
Heather started as a recovery technician and in time became an Eligibility Specialist working with the eye bank for eight years before becoming a Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor, a role she has been in for the past three years.
Biggest Takeaways and Benefits of the Job
From her experience here at the eye bank, Heather says that some of her biggest takeaways have been gaining medical knowledge, opening further career options, multi-tasking and prioritization of tasks. Heather says that, “it’s like a puzzle,” piecing together all the elements from recovery to eligibility screening all the way to placement for transplantation and research. Heather’s work detail has included reaching out to donor families, performing cornea/sclera recoveries, reading medical charts, researching tissue needs across the world and working internally to assure that we are heading towards the best outcomes possible. When these puzzle pieces align, the eye bank can help restore sight.
“Trying to take all the pieces of it and fit them together so that it’s where it actually needs to be is like a puzzle… and not panicking when you get in those types of situations.”
When considering the complexity of working nightshift, Heather said, “I really enjoy nights, it has a lot of difficulties and challenges that dayshift doesn’t have--- Sometimes you have to change your schedule, and it can be very stressful. It can be very difficult when coordinating because you have to learn how to find things on your own and you have to answer your own questions so it’s a lot more challenging in that way.” While it may seem tough, the pros outweigh the cons for Heather. “On the other side of that, [it] makes you a stronger tech because you have to find those answers for yourself.”
In terms of the work environment Heather prefers, “I like people but I like a few people at a time. [On] nights it’s nice and mellow, you have your alone time and you can focus. There’s less of that ambient stress.”
Outside of work, Heather enjoys a laid-back attitude and spending time with family. She looks up to her husband who is a security guard working the night shift as well. “He cares a lot about his integrity and being honest in what he does in life, and I think that’s important. Deep down, honesty and caring about what you’re doing, whatever level it is, making sure that you’re doing it well, is important.”
Heather’s advice to those considering a career with the RMLEB, “You have to come into it knowing it’s going to be stressful but see it as a challenge. You have to be able to set your own limits and pace yourself.”
Heather’s career journey that led to her viewing a recovery before even working at the eye bank is unique: combined with her passion for restoring sight. Heather has thrived in her position as Recovery and Eligibility Supervisor. Although the work may be stressful, the impact that Heather has made over the years is immeasurable and stretches across thousands of donors and recipients in the Colorado and Wyoming region and beyond.