Tag 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 – 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 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.
Meet Us Monday – Amy Gordon, Appointment Coordinator
Q. What are some of your hobbies outside work?
A. I’m part of a golf league in the summer, a pool league in the winter, love to read, spend time up north at the lake relaxing.
Q. How long have you worked at Gillette?
A. Since 1980! A long time.
Q. Do you have any kids or pets?
A. Yes, two kids a 24 year old son and a 21 year old daughter. I also have a dog and a cat.
Meet Us Monday - Amy Gordon, Appointment Coordinator
Q. As a child, which superhero did you admire? OR If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
A. I’m not sure about superhero, but how about healing power!
Q. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
A. In a month I’m taking a cruise going to Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas with a group of friends.
Q. What is your favorite type of music?
A. I like Cities 97 and country radio stations.
Q. What drew you to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare?
A. I was hired in 1980 and worked on 4 west as a HUC. I went to St Paul College and finished school on a Wednesday, interviewed on a Friday, started the next Monday.
Q. Do you have a favorite story or memory from Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare?
A. My best memories are working on 4 West during Christmas and Halloween because employees would have costume contests. Also getting to know patients and families during long in-patient stays.
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare?
A. New patient services is the first contact for families coming to Gillette. Speaking and reassuring concerned and anxious parents about their child’s first appointment is so rewarding. It’s easy to work at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare because what we do is so great!
Meet Us Monday, Cheryl Tveit, R.N.
Q. What are some of your hobbies outside work?
A. I enjoy reading, scrap booking, playing with my kids, spending time with my family and friends.
Q. How long have you worked at Gillette?
A. 11 years- I first worked in the PICU and have been in the PeriAnesthesia department for the last 10 years.
Q. Do you have any kids or pets?
A. 3 kids- ages 10, 8 and 4. Our only pet right now is a fish, which the kids are in charge of feeding and taking care of.
Q. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
A. The super power I would love to have would be to stop time or to increase the amount of time in a day- I never seem to have enough time to get everything done that I want to get done!
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. Popcorn- I could live on popcorn!
Q. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
A. Australia. I’ve always been fascinated with the wildlife of Australia and I would love to visit that country sometime in my life.
Q. Do you have a favorite musician/band/type of music?
A. My ipod has a large variety of music- some pop, some rock, alternative, a few “boy bands” (for my 8 year old) and a couple of country songs. The majority of what I listen to right now is Christian music. I find that it’s the safest music to listen to with my kids around and they are always with me so that is what we usually have on.
Q. What drew you to Gillette?
A. I have always wanted to work with children. I did a clinical rotation at Gillette when I was in nursing school. When I graduated, there were no jobs open at Gillette though so I ended up working at St. John’s for two years. I had continued to watch for openings at Gillette and when I saw there was an opening in the PICU, I applied and was lucky enough to become a Gillette Nurse!
Q. Do you have a favorite story/memory from Gillette?
A. There are so many. Whenever I think about my job, the first thing that comes to mind is the amazing kids and families. I have met so many families over the years that have taught me so much about what it means to be a nurse, a parent and what unconditional love truly looks like. Our patients and families are often given diagnoses that are challenging and often heartbreaking. Watching their strength in these types of situations is such a humbling experience for me.
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette?
A. I am extremely passionate about patient education and creating new ways to help our patients and families understand the information we give them. I am an advocate for developing new ways to distribute education and enjoy the freedom Gileltte has allowed me in expanding my career. I, of course, love the patients. Sometimes you can be having a really hard day and things may not be going the way you want them to, but one smile from a patient or one opportunity to hold someone’s hand can really brighten your spirit for the rest of the day. I am also blessed to be able to work with the best group of professionals I have ever met. Gillette is really my “other” family and that truly makes it easy to get up and come to work every day.
Meet Us Monday: Der Vang, Patient Appointments/Telehealth Nursing
Q. What are some of your hobbies outside work?
A. I enjoy, scrap booking, collecting pens & pencils, decorating/cleaning the house and shopping.
Q. How long have you worked at Gillette?
A. I have been with Gillette for 5 years now.
Q. Do you have any kids or pets?
A. I have two boys. One is 9 years old and the other is 19 months.
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. I love eating any kind of seafood dishes.
Q. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
A. I am honestly afraid to fly and have only flown once. Hopefully when I overcome that fear I would like to travel back to my birth place, which is Thailand.
Q. Favorite musician/band/type of music?
A. I like listening to pop or R and B music.
Q. What drew you to Gillette?
A. I was going to school for Nursing. I completed the CNA course and received my certificate. At the time I was working as a supervisor at an interpreting agency. I would receive interpretation requests from Gillette. I researched Gillette and had heard great things. I checked for CNA posting and applied for the CNA position in the Post-Surgical Unit.
Q. Do you have a favorite story/memory from Gillette?
A. The two most memorable events are when I attended a QMED conference in San Francisco back in July 2012. This was the first time I have ever flown anywhere, which became the best experience ever. Another memorable event was when Gillette went live with ‘GEM’. I recently took a new position/role within the department. I remembered sitting at my desk focusing and working to complete a training manual for QES scheduling, and preparing training sessions for all QES end users before go-live.
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette?
A. I enjoy being able to have the opportunity to be a part of educating, training, and being a role model for new hires and current employees.
Meet Us Monday – Meet Susan Schuler, R.N.
Q. What are some of your hobbies outside work?
A. Traveling with my family, activities with my church, movies, and reading.
Q. When did you join Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare?
A. I started June 25th, 2007
Q. Do you have any children or pets?
A. Married to my husband Todd for 23 years, my daughter Brianna is a sophomore in college studying Nursing at UND- she also works on a casual basis on the Rehab Unit at Gillette as a CNA. My son Nick is a junior in high school. We have a dog- Fred and a cat- Dexter
Q. As a child, which superhero did you admire?
A. Wonder woman
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. My favorite food is French Silk Pie.
Q. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
A. I would travel to Hawaii.
Q. What is your favorite type of music?
A. My favorite music is 80′s and Top 40.
Q. What drew you to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare?
A. The complexity of the children we care for and the ability to make a positive difference in their quality of life.
Q. Do you have a favorite memory from Gillette?
A. Development of the Imaging Center Resource Nurse Role and receiving the Tzvi Darenblum Excellence in Teamwork Award.
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job at Gillette?
A. My Perianesthesia co-workers and the support and encouragement I receive from my supervisors and manager to grow and excel in my professional practice.
