Hospital and Healthcare Week: Celebrating Essentia's people and purpose

Regardless of role, there's a common thread that weaves together and unites healthcare workers — a desire to help others. Big or small, those opportunities are precious and priceless. They add meaning and can strengthen our resolve to advance Essentia Health's mission of making a healthy difference in people's lives.

“I like to help people,” says Anne Christensen, a family medicine nurse practitioner at the Essentia Health-Moorhead Clinic. “I like to be that person they can talk to about something, especially at some of their most vulnerable times.”

“I want to be there for people on some of the worst days of their lives,” agreed Haleigh Robinson, a registered nurse at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior.

Brightening someone’s mood doesn’t take much.

“In healthcare, I love the fact that you can touch so many people’s lives just in one day,” says Kerri Anderson, volunteer and guest services manager at Essentia Health-Fargo. “And I don’t have to do much. Just giving somebody a smile or a touch on their arm to say, ‘I’m here for you. We’re here to help any way that we can.’ ”

May 10-16 is National Hospital and Healthcare Week.

At Essentia, this is more than seven days on the calendar. It’s a meaningful occasion to celebrate the people and purpose behind everything we do.

Every day across our hospitals, clinics and other care sites, thousands of dedicated professionals come together to improve the health and well-being of those we serve. From physicians and advanced practice providers to nurses, therapists, pharmacists, technicians, environmental services teams, food and nutrition staff, administrative professionals and volunteers — each role plays a vital part in delivering safe, compassionate, high-quality care.

This week gives us the chance to say thank you, to recognize the long hours, teamwork and resilience that define our teams. We are proud of our colleagues’ unwavering commitment to excellence and grateful for the trust our patients place in us every day.

National Hospital and Healthcare Week is ultimately a celebration of people — the caregivers, staff and community members who make our mission possible.

In their own words

What’s your favorite thing about working in healthcare?

“I love the people I work with every day. I get to come work with a bunch of intelligent, witty, just really smart people that are a joy to be around. They’re what keep me going and keep me aligned to come back every day and contribute.” — Dr. Chris Anderson, emergency medicine physician and associate chief medical officer for Essentia’s West Market

“One of the special things about our department is we can be there for families from start to finish. They come in, they’re scared, they’re nervous, they’ve got who knows what going on, and they sometimes will tell you their whole story. And each day they give you that update. And to me, that’s pretty amazing to know that a total stranger trusts me enough to give me all of that information.” — Kerri Anderson, volunteer and guest services manager at Essentia Health-Fargo

“Every interaction I have with people, I try to just bring a smile and energy because I feel like that can change someone’s day.” — Christian Quadros, pharmacy technician at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center

“I get a chance to talk to patients when I clean their rooms. And I try very hard to be inspirational. Not for me, not to get a pat on the back, but we all get sick and we all hurt and we all need just a little encouragement. And so I love that most of all. And if they have any fears or concerns, I can, when allowed to, offer spiritual advice. Not so much advice — help. Again, encouragement, inspiration. And that’s my bread and butter. I love that, and I thank Essentia for allowing me to do that. They allow me to share as much as I can.” — Jeff Musch, environmental services technician at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior

“You’re helping people that are usually at the worst possible point in their life. And I’ve been at that worst possible point in my life, so it’s nice to have people that are there that are helping you out. I know that this is not something I thought of doing when I was in high school, but it has turned out to be something that’s very rewarding.” — Kraig Kubiak, maintenance manager at Essentia Health-Fosston

What’s it like to be part of someone’s healing journey?

“It’s an amazing privilege. … You get to learn about the patient, you get to learn about their families, learn about their likes and dislikes. You get to make them feel comfortable in an uncomfortable environment. And I think that’s just so amazing. Just seeing their progression as to when they get here to when they leave, it’s honestly incredible. I love how patients can feel a sense of accomplishment when they’re here at our facility. And I think that’s kind of what it’s all about. When we get to see them go, we hug, we cry, we laugh, and it’s just really nice to kind of see them wheeling out the door.” — Haleigh Robinson, registered nurse at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior

What does it mean to you to serve our patients?

“International Falls is a small community, so you really become very familiar with your patients and they’re familiar with you and they’re comfortable with you. You feel good. You feel good that people trust you, and they just become very special to you. They’re like a family, and it’s very nice in that small community.” — Tara Tomczak, pharmacy site supervisor at the Essentia Health-International Falls Clinic

What initially attracted you to a career in healthcare?

“It kind of fulfills a longing that I’ve had because, like most of us, we’ve all had some serious health concerns. I had (stage four) cancer and I had such marvelous healthcare workers working on me. I felt sorry for them because I figured (stage four), I was going to die. They see that every day and yet they still continue to give love and affection with every treatment that they give you. And I am so proud of people who enter into healthcare. I take my job seriously, cleaning things, that is very important. I can say that I may be saving lives one floor at a time by cleaning them.” — Jeff Musch, environmental services technician at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior

“Helping others, being that go-to person for something that they need, especially when they’re at their most vulnerable, is, I think, a really important role. Just being there for someone, trying to help navigate really hard situations that occur.” — Anne Christensen, a family medicine nurse practitioner at the Essentia Health-Moorhead Clinic