Category Archives: Meet Us Monday
Meet us Monday – Kari Kubiatowicz, R.N.
Meet us Monday
1. What is your position and role at Gillette? I am a Registered Nurse in the Neurosciences Unit.
2. Do you have a favorite story or memory from Gillette? Hosting prom on our unit for one of our patients.
3. What are some of your hobbies outside of work? I enjoy golfing, jogging, playing trumpet in a community band and spending time with my family and friends
4. Do you have any children or pets? Not yet, although my husband is campaigning for us to get a pug named Leon.
5. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Italy
6. What is one fun fact about you? I played trumpet with my now husband in the benchwarmerz for a summer in college (a small band that walks around and plays goofy and popular songs at Valleyfair).
Meet us Monday – Lance Reed, R.N.
- What are some of your hobbies outside work? I play drums, mostly for fun, occasionally for money.
One of my groups (Goodnight Ritual) is releasing an album in June! - Do you have any kids or pets?
I have one son; Eli, who is 21 years old. Also, I have two kitties: Lu and Corky, and a Ten month-old Puppy named Willie Nelson that we got from a rescue shelter in October, 2012.
Meet Us Monday - Lance Reed R.N.
- If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? If I could, I’d be flying all over.
- What is your favorite book? A tie between Lord of the Rings and The Music of Failure by the late, great Minnesota native Bill Holm
- What is your favorite food? The kind that is raised with respect, kindness and much thought.
- If you could travel anywhere where would you go? Touring through the pyramids of the world would be pretty sweet!
- Favorite subject in school? From grade school through college, I’ve always loved my science classes.
- Favorite musician/band/type of music?The cerebral part of me loves classical guitarist Andres’ Segovia, the rocker in me loves Led Zeppelin (particularly the drummer, John Bonham) Why choose, right?
- Who did you admire when you were a kid? My Mom and Dad.
- Do you have a favorite story/memory from Gillette? I remember a patient that was stable, but not happy at all. A surgery had been done that left the patient’s eyes swollen shut, and it seemed I could do nothing to help. When I DID NOT hear the patient crying, I became concerned and went to the room, only to find that the patient, finally happy, watching ‘Dora the Explorer’ with fingers physically prying open one eye!
- What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette? I love developing long-term relationships with patients and their families. Soaring with them through the victories, helping to support them through tough times and long stays, while being invited into some of the most fulfilling conversations imaginable. I am also graced to have the best group of co-workers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.
Meet us Monday – John Haggard, Technical Education & Development Specialist
What are some of your hobbies outside work?
Sports and video games. I love to watch all sports on TV, but the one I actually still play is volleyball. I was a collegiate volleyball coach for 7 years before entering the world of training. I was a setter in college and play in city leagues. I still play video games…until my wife scolds me.
How long have you worked at Gillette? Do you have a favorite story or memory?
I have worked at Gillette since June of 2012. When I was hired, my background was in adult learning and software training. I had no medical background. Since QCPR was a major focus of my job, I shadowed several physicians. Dr. Tenner Guillaume was the first to allow me to shadow him. Seeing how caring, passionate, and focused he was with the many families and children we saw was very inspiring. That experience really made me realize the impact we can have at Gillette. I know it made me more focused of the work I do, and appreciative of the opportunity I have at Gillette.
Do you have any kids or pets?
I have two boys. Jack is 2 ½ and Max is 5 months. I completely love playing with them and being a dad. I also have a 9lb dog named Doug!
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
I worked for 7 summers in Alaska, and while there met people from all over the world. The Australians that I met painted one beautiful picture of their home. I have always wanted to go. I was also an Art major in college, so Italy would be a dream to see so much of what I studied.
What is your favorite food?
Italian and Mexican are by far my favorite cuisines. I could easily live on pasta, pizza, enchiladas, and quesadillas.
Meet us Monday – Jason Spicher, Education & Development Specialist
1. What are some of your hobbies outside work?
Outside of work I like getting together with friends, watching sports (pretty much anything except for golf), and vegging out on Netflix. I really like playing ping-pong, when I get the chance – even though I know I’m not very good. I also really enjoy being outside and going camping/hiking whenever I can get away for a while.
Meet Jason Spicher
2. How long have you worked at Gillette? Do you have a favorite story or memory?
I have worked at Gillette just under 2 years. This is my first full-time position after college so each day is new to me and I’m just trying soak up all the information I can!
3. Do you have any kids or pets?
No kids and no pets . Where I live now does not allow pets, but I’ll be moving at the end of summer and I plan on getting a dog after I find a new place. The breed isn’t be super important to me but I’d like to get a medium size pup that I can stay active with.
4. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
I’ve always wanted to go to Greece. The amount of history there is astounding and the food is terrific. However, if I could go ANYwhere, I would go to Mars. I mean, why wouldn’t you want to travel the stars if you could?
5. What is your favorite food?
I could probably eat soup or pasta every day for the rest of my life. My favorite type of soup is Chicken and Wild Rice from Harry’s Café in my hometown of Lakeville. Beer-Cheese soup is a close second. I’m willing to try pretty much any food once, with the exception of live octopus – that just seems dangerous.
Meet Us Monday – Krista Ash, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Q. What are some of your hobbies outside work?
My biggest hobby right now is spending time with my family. I have a 2 ½ year old daughter that keeps me on my toes! I love gardening and landscaping. I can’t wait for spring!! I also love to go hunting with my husband, father and father-in-law.
Meet Us Monday - Krista Ash, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
Q. How long have you worked at Gillette?
I have been at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare for almost 6 ½ years.
Q. Do you have any kids or pets?
I have a 2 ½ year old daughter, Samantha, and another baby due in July. I also have a sweet chocolate lab named Ruby.
Q. As a child, which superhero did you admire?
I was really into He-man and She-Ra for a while when I was younger. She-Ra had incredible strength and was extremely fast and acrobatic. She also had other abilities which were more nurturing in nature such as empathic understanding, mental communication with animals and healing. She-Ra was also largely non-violent and often preferred to outsmart her rivals.
Q. What is your favorite food?
I love Mexican food and anything with pasta.
Q. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
I would love to go to Australia and also Alaska in the summertime.
Q. What is your favorite musician/band/type of music?
I like a variety of music from classic rock, alternative (not the screaming kind), and country.
Q. What drew you to Gillette?
I have always wanted to work with children as well as be in a healthcare setting. I found Therapeutic Recreation when I was in college at Winona my Sophomore year. This was a perfect degree for me as it would allow me to do both. I started working with kids and teens with disabilities in college and really enjoyed it. Once I graduated, I learned about Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare and applied as soon as there was an open position!
Q. Do you have a favorite story/memory from Gillette?
There are so many! The all time favorite memories I have are watching the patients I have worked with and helped come back to Gillette to tell me about their new adapted bike or new activity they have tried and love or that they have started college!
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette?
I really enjoy teaming up with Courage Center every year for our Adapted Bike and Sports Expo. Being at Gillette, I get the opportunity o help patients and their families find ways to get involved and be active in their community and at home-but most of the time I never get to see the patient actually participating. At the expo, I actually get to see our patients participate in a rewarding activity and I also get to see the smiles on their faces light up when they get on a bike for the first time!
Meet Us Monday – Meet Hannah Richardson, R.N.
Q. What are some of your hobbies outside work?
A. Running, reading, photography, baking
Meet Us Monday - Meet Hannah Richardson, R.N.
Q. How long have you worked at Gillette?
Two years. I was hired Jan 3, 2011
Q. Do you have any kids or pets?
I have been married for 2 ½ years and we do not have any kids or pets yet. But once my husband and I have a yard we are going to get a lab and a labradoodle.
Q. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
I would want to be able to become invisible
Q. What is your favorite food?
Fried or Coconut Shrimp
Q. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
The Caribbean or Africa
Q. What is your favorite musician/band/type of music?
Soft rock, folk, acoustic
Q. What drew you to Gillette?
Margaret Perryman went to the same college I did and is a part of the Alumni chapter. When my husband and I found out we were moving to MN we contacted her and she introduced me to Gillette. I was so impressed with how kind everyone was, the special mission Gillette’s employees stood by and how evident it was that Gillette valued their employees.
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette?
I love that I never have the same day, I enjoy working with children and helping them improve their quality of life, and I love my coworkers.
Meet Us Monday – Heather Ott, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
- What are some of your hobbies outside work? Spending time with my friends, going out to eat at new places in the cities and going to concerts, if anyone I like is coming to town.
- How long have you worked at Gillette? I started on-call in 2009.
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Meet Us Monday - Meet Heather Ott, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
- Do you have any kids or pets? My roommate has a dog and she is more a human than a pet, and she loves hogging the bed!
- If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? Super Power, hands down would be teleportation! I hate how long it takes to get somewhere!
- What is your favorite food? Food that other people make! Cooking is not my favorite chore.
- If you could travel anywhere where would you go? North Carolina to see my boyfriend!
- What is your favorite musician/band/type of music? I love Power-Pop/ Punk but it’s hay-day is a few years ago. My favorites are All Time Low, Hey Monday, Capital Lights and FTSK (but only their Underdog Alma Mater (very important detail)).
- What drew you to Gillette? I have always loved to care for kids. I loved babysitting & playing with my little cousins at family functions. So once I found TR, Gillette was a no brainer!
- Do you have a favorite story/memory from Gillette? My very first day and very first patient at Gillette was a little boy maybe 4 or 5 he had these cute little thick rimmed light blue glasses, blonde curly hair and a gigantic smile. He was actually featured a month later in a Gillette family focus and I was able to say that he was MY patient. I won’t ever forget that, I was able to say, I in some way added in his recovery, even if it was just for a moment.
- What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette? My co-workers, the patients and the families. I love interacting with all of them. Every day is different and at some point during the day, I am laughing because of it.
Meet Us Monday – Meet Beth Harmening, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Q. What are some of your hobbies outside work?
A. I like socializing, kayaking, and hiking.
Q. How long have you worked at Gillette?
A. I’ve worked at Gillette for a little over three years.
Meet Us Monday - Beth Harmening
Q. Do you have any kids or pets?
A. I have no pets and one little girl, Hannah who is 4 years old.
Q. As a child, which superhero did you admire?
A. I liked underdog and teenage mutant ninja turtles.
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. Spaghetti or pizza
Q. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
A. I’d like to travel to Colorado to see where I was born.
Q. Do you have a favorite musician/band/type of music?
A. All…but lately enjoy contemporary christian music
Q. What drew you to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare?
A. I always wanted to work at a children’s hospital
Q. Do you have a favorite story/memory from Gillette?
A. My favorite story is wanting to work here 10 years ago when I first moved here and actually getting hired a few years ago!
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette?
A. I enjoy being part of a team, the variety of work and helping patients and families enjoy life through recreation and leisure…no matter the adaptations/changes that are needed.
Meet Us Monday – Meet Kaitlin Lewis, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Meet Kaitlin Lewis, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
- What are some of your hobbies outside work? Weekend road trips, sewing & painting, playing with my dog and an avid yoga practitioner!
- How long have you worked at Gillette? 1 ½ years
- Do you have any kids or pets? My child is furry! He is a long-hair Chihuahua named Rajah. I enjoy dressing him up and taking him to play dates.
- As a child, which superhero did you admire? OR If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? I related to Disney characters more than Superheros and really admired ‘Beauty’ from beauty and the beast because of her open heart. (I seriously am not very familiar with superheros, but if I need to stick to the topic, I’d choose the superpower to be: cloning myself so I can do and learn so many things at once!)
- What is your favorite food?Italian Stuffed Manicotti and Sea Salt Carmel Gelato!
- If you could travel anywhere where would you go? Cape Town, South Africa
- Favorite musician/band/type of music? Oldies, Indies, Classic Rock and Pop; Favorite all-time groups are Queen, Cold Play, & Oasis
- What drew you to Gillette? When moving to Minnesota, it was highly recommended by the Medical Director at my previous job. When I looked into it, the recommendation was spot-on. What a professional, respectful, comfortable and challenging work place! I love it!
- Do you have a favorite story/memory from Gillette? When occasionally storing the adaptive bikes next door to Phalen Clinic this past winter, I ended up having to ride them over to our building for patient appointments. One day when I needed them, I had to bundle up head-to-tow because it was -6 and snowing (I didn’t’ have the guts to try to recruit help!). I had a close encounter with a UPS truck, many horn honks from Phalen Blvd. (honks of encouragement, I hope!) and a doctor who called me, “nothing but crazy.” That miserable 30 minutes was well worth the memory and well worth the ability to teach the opportunity of bike riding to my patients!
- What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette? My colleagues! They are consistently supportive, team players, who wear daily smiles and work together to make providing great care seem so easy!
Meet Us Monday – Meet Tammy Larson, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Q. How long have you worked at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare?
A. I have worked at Gillette for 22 years!
Q. Do you have any children or pets?
A. I have two children, Jessie who is 19 and Alexandra who is 15.
Q. What are your hobbies?
A. Watching my kids play soccer, basketball, and run track. I personally love running and bike riding.
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. Popcorn
Q. What do you enjoy most about working at Gillette?
A. I enjoy having the longevity of seeing children grow up and lead successful lives.
