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INCLUDING INTERVIEWS FROM A:Human Resources Coordinator

Nurse Manager

Magnet Coordinator

AS TOLD BY CURRENT GENESIS EMPLOYEES

IbGENESIS......because of the team atmosphere!

BEAU DEXTER

TITLE: Human Resources CoordinatorYEARS AT GENESIS: 6½EDUCATION: Bachelors in Business Administration, currently enrolled in the M.B.A. program at St. Ambrose

How did you start your career with Genesis?I started at Genesis when I was sixteen as a part time groundskeeper while maintaining a flexible schedule with work and school. During my sophomore year in college, I was fortunate to find a summer internship in the Human Resources department. Once my internship ended I was offered a part-time Human Resources Assistant position.

While continuing to attend school at St. Ambrose University and work part-time at Genesis, I was able to receive tuition reimbursement and a tuition discount. Within three years, I graduated with my undergraduate from St. Ambrose and moved within the organization to become the Human Resources Coordinator at the Illini Campus.

Because of Genesis’ high tuition reimbursement, I am encouraged to continue my education and enrolled in the M.B.A. program at St. Ambrose while working full-time as a Human Resources Coordinator.

What keeps you from finding employment with another organization?Genesis is a team atmosphere organization. My colleagues are some of the hardest working, giving and caring people in the community. I have been with Genesis since I was sixteen; to me, this is my second home. I feel everyone treats each other as family and would go the extra mile for anyone.

Also, there are areas for growth professionally at Genesis and I plan on continuing to advance within the organization as I gain more experience and education.

What is your typical day like?My typical day consists of working with people from very diverse departments -- with a common goal of providing compassionate, quality care to all those in need. The advantage of being in Human Resources is no day is ever the same. I deal with employee relations where every situation and everyone’s needs are different. I have not worked a day at Genesis where I have not learned something.

What is the number one thing about your job that makes you get up in the morning and come to work?The work we do at Genesis makes a difference. I do not work in a clinical area but everyone, no matter the job title, works together to make this organization one of the best places to work.

IbGENESIS......because they have treated me like family, through thick and thin, ups and downs, they have been supportive of me.

What keeps you from finding employment with another organization? I have great loyalty to Genesis for all they have allowed me to become and because I know that we deliver the best patient care in the region. I began my career as a staff nurse in OB, became the OB Nurse Manager at the former Mercy hospital, and then became the OB Manager for both campuses when Genesis was created. As my personal life situation changed, I became an OB Case Manager and then Manager of the Pain Center. After 8 years, I found that I really missed OB and an opportunity at Illini for the Nurse Manager of OB opened and I accepted it. Four years following, I became the Magnet Coordinator for Illini; the position I am still in today.

Can you tell me if you feel Genesis supports your Career goals and, if so, how? Genesis has allowed me to change direction in my career 5 different times. Employee’s lives change as they go through different times and stages in their own lives. I have been encouraged to select new positions that have fit into my personal life.

What has been most rewarding about your Genesis experience? The most rewarding part of my Genesis experience is to see how staff that I have mentored have developed and become new leaders within our Health System. I have been involved in mentoring Charge Nurses and Nurse Managers and have been proud to watch them grow within the Health System.

What motivates you? I am motivated by the relationships that are developed with our patients to demonstrate our caring of each one as a person. Also, making sure that our patients get the most innovative and evidence-based care available to help them get to their maximum improvement. One example of this is Genesis’ fall prevention program that has been based on best-practice. The implementation of this program has offered a significant decrease in the number of moderate to severe injuries.

MAGGIE DUBIN

TITLE: Magnet CoordinatorYEARS AT GENESIS: 38EDUCATION: BS, RN

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...because the organization’s focus on excellence is aligned with my own personal beliefs regarding doing what’s right for our patients.

What keeps you from finding employment with another organization?I have never felt the need to look for employment outside of Genesis-- and it is my 25th year! The organization has allowed me a tremendous amount of career growth and opportunities. Genesis has demonstrated the fact that the organization not only speaks about the mission, but walks and talks it. The culture of Genesis truly is warm and giving. I am still very excited about Genesis’ future. I look forward to further focusing on safety and excellence.

What is the number one thing about your job that makes you get up in the morning and come to work?The staff; it is definitely the people here. They make me want to be there for them, as they are there for me. I want the people I work with to be happy, because if you are happy you will be great at what you do.

The organization is really focused on relationships and this makes the organization home. I have never minded working on a holiday because I have my holiday with my at-work-family (which includes the patients as well) and then I can go home and have my holiday with my at-home-family.

What motivates you?I have always been a pretty intrinsically motivated individual. Striving for excellence has always been a goal for me in whatever I have tried to do and I feel that Genesis exemplifies this same desire.

What has been most rewarding about your Genesis experience?I think that the recent growth of the Behavioral Health Department has probably been the most rewarding experience for me. The support that the organization has shown for this population of patients in such troubled times has certainly made a significant impact on the community.

HEIDI BRADLEY

TITLE: Nurse Manager of Behavioral Health Department and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Nursing UnitYEARS AT GENESIS: 25EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Masters of Science in Nursing

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...because it’s a great place to work and I feel like I have many opportunities to learn new things here.

What had you looking to Genesis for your career before you were employed here?I was right out of college looking for an IT position and Genesis had one open. I knew a couple people who worked for Genesis that really loved it, so I applied. As it turns out, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

What is the number one thing about your job that makes you get up in the morning and come to work?I would have to say the work that I do. My job consists of doing a wide array of things from coding to project management. I like the diversity and the fact that I am always learning something new!

Can you tell me if you feel Genesis supports your Career goals and, if so, how?I do feel that Genesis supports career goals. I wanted to further my education so that I could potentially move up in the company someday, and through our Tuition Reimbursement program, I was able to do so.

What motivates you?My daughter – I want her to be proud of me for the things I do.

What has been most rewarding about your Genesis experience?Although I am not in the clinical arena or have direct patient contact, I still feel like I am helping out in some small way to make the patient experience a better one.

JEN MEIER

TITLE: DeveloperYEARS AT GENESIS: 11EDUCATION: Certificate in Web Design, BA in Computer Information Systems and a Masters in Information Technology Management

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...because I enjoy meeting and helping people in need, including my co-workers, patients and doctors.What had you looking to Genesis for your career before you were employed here? As part of my daily routine, I went into a gas station to get coffee, where I then noticed a Genesis badge lying on the floor and picked it up. It seemed odd to find it because the same week I was referred to Genesis by a friend in the Respiratory department to apply for an open position. I had an interview and was hired all in the same week. I wanted a nice and clean environment to work in, and a place where I was able to meet a lot of friendly people.

What keeps you from finding employment with another organization? I like where I am at and enjoy working here. There is job security here with Genesis.

What is the number one thing about your job that makes you get up in the morning and come to work?I enjoy helping people and the environment at Genesis supports this. I like to put smiles on people’s faces. I am always happy to go out of my way to help people. One time, a nurse lost a ring her father had given her and I noticed she was looking for something so I helped her look. Later, I found something shiny in the garbage. Come to find out, the ring had come off in her surgical glove when she was throwing them

away. I don’t mind going out of my way to be helpful. If people are behind, I will give them a hand. It takes team work, and if everyone works together, everyone will be happy.

What is your typical day like?I come in and work around other people’s schedules and scheduled surgeries to accomplish my daily tasks. Sometimes it can be difficult and sometimes it’s easy; no two days are the same. I like being in the Surgical area because I get to meet new people and see people I know. I enjoy talking with the patients, co-workers and doctors--as everyone here is very friendly.

PHIL HICKS

TITLE: Environmental Services Aide II (Surgery)YEARS AT GENESIS: 10EDUCATION: High School Diploma

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...because I am able to work in different capacities and work where my interest lies, all within Genesis.What had you looking to Genesis for your career before you were employed here? I was looking for a position in Genesis because it was close to home, but I very soon realized the people working with me and above me are in it to help me and see me succeed. Whenever I have a problem I cannot resolve, there is always someone there to show me how to move past it. The best part is they will have me lead so they know that I am confident in what I am doing for the next time.

What keeps you from finding employment with another organization? There are always positions in Genesis; why would I need to go elsewhere? I have a stable job and I enjoy the people I work with: my co-workers and my patients. Something I do like is the fact that I wear two ‘hats’ at Genesis–one being an EKG Technician and the other a Lab Technician.

What motivates you?Other people are my motivation and I am also a self motivator. Being in the National Guard helps me stay motivated to further myself mentally, physically, educationally, and readily. I am extremely blessed to have so many great things going for me in my life. The National Guard and Genesis combined are an awesome support team!

What has been most rewarding about your Genesis experience?The feeling of a satisfied patient, one who says, “Thank you so much.” Or when I am drawing blood they tell me, “You’re good. I didn’t even feel that!”

Working as an EKG Tech I run into a lot of people who don’t feel well, but somehow I manage to see smiles before I leave some of their rooms. If I can manage to have my first patient smile at me and my last, then I feel my day is complete. Even a smile at the end of the day as I am walking out is uplifting.

KODIE TOMASZKIEWICZ

TITLE: EKG Technician/Lab TechnicianYEARS AT GENESIS: 2EDUCATION: Medical Assistant/EKG Technician

...because everyday is a new beginning to measure our progress to be better; sincerely better.

What had you looking to Genesis for your career before you were employed here? I wanted to work within the medical environment to serve the community, and the O.B. department at the Illini Campus presented a wonderful job opportunity.

What keeps you from finding employment with another organization? I have been here and stayed here a total of 34 years. That says a lot about the work ethic and the team spirit of the staff at Genesis.

What is the number one thing about your job that makes you get up in the morning and come to work?You never know what a day at the Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus will bring your way. Know this: You will always learn something new.

What is your typical day like?The expected and unexpected are generally service oriented to the needs of the staff, the patient and the community. I am prepared to serve, show compassion, and be kind.

What motivates you?Love of people. Love of Life. The joy of giving.

What has been most rewarding about your Genesis experience?Being a part of the history, staff and serving the needs of the patient with their families here at Genesis.

JO-ELLA GRICE

TITLE: Security Officer, LPN, CPR/First Aid Instructor, Translator (Spanish and French)YEARS AT GENESIS: 34EDUCATION: LPN certification from Black Hawk College

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