Darlene Douglas is introduced as the new publisher of the Southern Oakland County MY Magazine. She has a background as a nurse anesthetist but wanted a more creative outlet, so she took on publishing the magazine. The profile provides details of Darlene's personal and professional life experiences that led her to take on the role of publisher.

1. MY| life
By Mary Meldrum
Photography by Steve Ragland
Photography Assistant, Robert Olinski
Styled by Jessica Kocik
One More
Leap
ofFaith
New Publisher
DARLENE
DOUGLAS

2. U
pon first meeting her, I was
struck by her soft eyes and
warm smile. I didn’t know what
to expect from the new owner and
publisher of the Southern Oakland
County MY Magazine, but Darlene
Douglas turned out to be a professional
woman with an energetic depth of
character that carries this mother of
four through her busy days. Highly
educated and well spoken, I had the
great pleasure of getting to know her
one evening, and would like to share
that with you. First, let me give you a
little background.
Darlene grew up in Canada, just north
of Detroit, in Windsor, Ontario. After
graduating from nursing school in
Canada in 1989, she worked at a local
Windsor hospital. She decided to attend
a job fair in Detroit, in 1990, this is
where her circumstances brought her to
America. She took one of many leaps of
faith in her life and applied for, and landed, a job in Michigan,
commuting for several years. She worked at Harper Hospital
on a diabetic unit for a year. She learned a lot, everyone on
that unit was very sick and needed to be closely monitored.
Complications from diabetes were very devastating and
life-threatening. A simple wound could result in amputation,
and that kind of potential catastrophic outcome made every
aspect of caring for these patients important.
She moved from Harper Hospital to the Detroit campus of
Henry Ford Hospital in the cardio-thoracic unit. From there,
she applied to and was accepted into the Nurse Anesthesia
program at the University of Detroit Mercy. She moved to
Michigan permanently after marrying Christopher Douglas
in 1995.
Darlene gave birth to her first child while she was in
anesthesia school. This little baby boy was born very early,
and, having underdeveloped lungs, he didn’t survive. This
was a devastating time for Darlene and her husband.
“He lived for two days, on his second day I watched as he
passed away,” she shared. I was completely devastated.
“I remember thinking ‘I am never doing this again.’” Of
course, time heals and when she felt strong enough and was
ready to make another leap of faith, she became pregnant
again. Her next son, Michael was born healthy and strong.
Then came Jonathan two years later, then Thomas two years
following that, and finally her daughter, Adana.
When Adana was born, she too came a little early and was
admitted to the NICU. Adana was given a clean bill of health
a few days later and released to go home. Up until that
time, for Darlene it had always felt like she was one child
short. This return to the NICU with her daughter felt very
healing, like everything had come full circle. At that point,
Darlene felt whole again and she knew that Adana was her
last baby.
Michael is now almost 17 years old, Jonathan will be 15
in April, Tommy just turned 13, and Adana will be 11 in
November.
She graduated with a Masters in Science, and became a
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in 1997. She worked
at St. Joseph Mercy hospital in Pontiac for a while before
getting a job with a staffing company, Anesthesia Staffing
Consultants (ASC) and assigned work at UnaSource Surgery
Center in Troy along with Orthopedic Surgical Institute
located in Rochester Hills.
Darlene went on to become a U.S. citizen in 2006.
That gives you the nuts and bolts framework of Darlene
Douglas’ history. Now I would like to share with you who she is.
Darlene has been working hard as a very successful clinician
for many years. Her life is busy and full with family and work
responsibilities. So when I asked her why she wanted to
Darlene with sons,Michael,Thomas,and Jonathan,husband,Christopher and daughter,Adana.

3. become a publisher and own the
Southern Oakland County MY
publication, I was fascinated by
her answer. What seemed to be
more than she could manage, it
now made perfect sense.
“I’m a busy working mom with
four kids and a full career,”
she said. “Why am I adding a
publishing job into the mix?
Because it challenges my
creative side, and allows me to
express myself.”
Like a lot of working moms, she
answered to other’s needs for
a long time, professionally and
personally. She had mastered
her career, she enjoyed her work
but Darlene felt like she needed
something more. She had been
craving something that allowed
her to expand and create;
something that was all her own.
Darlene expressed that the four
Douglas children were also now
at a point where they need her
less and less, which allowed
her more time to focus on her
own interests. Although they
all still need her, the teenagers
are naturally itching for more
independence from their mom.
“Even though my life was full, I still
felt a sort of void.”
When Darlene saw that Maria
Savoy (previous owner of MY
magazine, new owner of MY
Publishing) was offering publishing
opportunities with MY Magazine,
she knew this was the career
she had been looking for. The
publishing world would give her
the chance to express herself,
putting her personal design
touches, input, and direction
into the publication. This was the
creative outlet that was missing in
her life.

4. “My life is all about my family’s needs, my work schedule,
and as important as my family and job are, I wanted to
feel like I had a say in something more personal,” she
disclosed. “I felt like the magazine would help me do that.”
She continued, “I have this natural sense of giving and I
believe the value of service lies in the spirit in which you
serve. I could now service my community to help inspire and
empower others.
“I thought about it, considered it from every angle, and prayed.
I kept wondering if it was possible to do it with everything else
that I have going on.” She got the much needed support from
her husband and family, so she decided this was the right time
to take this latest leap of faith.
Darlene’s faith is a big part of what motivates and helps
her maintain a capacity for attending to her multiple
responsibilities. “Somehow, it always works out. There’s always
someone who is willing to help when things get tight, I never
need to worry about getting it all done.”
Darlene shares. “I am thrilled to be the owner of my own
business, something that I can shape and share.”
So, while maintaining her professional career as a seasoned
nurse anesthetist, Darlene Douglas brings her positive spirit
and work ethic with her to her new career at MY Magazine as
the Southern Oakland County publisher.
Photography by Steve Ragland
Stylist Jessica Kocik
Photography Assistant
Robert Olinski
Make up artist
Brandie Brancheau
First Outfit: Ann Normandy
top, Ann Normandy pant,
both prices upon request,
ann-normandy.com.
Kendra scott white stone
necklace, $78; Dogeared
earrings, $68, Bracelet $28;
Gold Smile necklace, $54.
Accessories from Nordstrom,
Somerset Collection.
Second outfit: Ann Normandy
dress. Price upon request,
ann-normandy.com.
Missing Piece Necklace $42;
Belt Ralph Lauren $62; Snake
ring, $42; Oval stone ring, $52;
Leather Cuff, $36. Accessories
from Nordstrom, Somerset
Collection.
Third outfit: Ann Normandy
tunic, price upon request,
ann-normandy.com. Frye boots
$350; Berry stone necklace
$48; Ralph Lauren belt, $58.
Accessories from Nordstrom,
Somerset Collection.
This magazine will be her canvas long
after her children are grown, where she
can express herself and highlight the
careers and good work of others in the
community. As one of her writers, I would
like to extend a warm welcome to Darlene
Douglas. I am looking forward to seeing
where this journey takes the publication
and this adventurous woman in the coming
months and years.
Brandie Brancheau,make up artist,Steve Ragland,photographer,Kim Collins,clothing
designer,Darlene Douglas and Jessica Kocik,stylist.