Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences

In this episode, you will hear Amy, a financial counselor, and Melissa, an Associate Specialist in research, discuss their journey on being the first in their family to go to college.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences, you will hear from Shanthi Siva, compliance analyst and Miguel Soto, community engagement coordinator as they discuss learning English as their second language. Siva talks about her native language being Tamil and knowing multiple languages. Soto shares his journey of learning English at the age of 18.

In this episode, you will hear Heather Bird, a nurse transplant coordinator, share her journey needing a liver transplant due to a rare blood disorder and Mollie Luhman, a clinical research coordinator, share her perspective of being a kidney donor.

In this episode, you will hear Noe, clinical support services supervisor, and Paul, clinical support services manager, discuss their experiences bringing Noe onto the supply chain team after a long career in the U.S. Air Force.

In this episode, you will hear Evy Engrav, HR advisor, and Danielle Teal, senior program coordinator, share their experience of homelessness and food insecurity. Evy grew up in California and shares her story of moving from home to home while taking care of her siblings. Evy also shares how she put herself through college and grad school and worked at top companies to become financially secure and now, as a new employee at Mayo Clinic, she is working by choice. Danielle talks about living in 26 places by the time she was 26 years old and how she left her unsafe home at the age of 16 to live with a friend. Danielle didn’t recognize until later in life that she had experienced sheltered homelessness. Both share their journey of navigating life and how the support of friends helped them survive.

In this episode, you will hear Jan Jenswold, mother of a recovering addict and a recently retired Mayo Clinic employee from the Psychiatry and Psychology Department, and Brien Gleeson, a recovering addict and psychotherapist specializing in addiction at Mayo Clinic, discuss their experiences with addiction.

In this episode, you will hear from Kim Baumann, a medical administrative assistant supervisor, and Kay Bachman, a nurse study coordinator. They both work in the Division of Allergic Diseases at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. They discuss their experience with being identical twins working in the same organization, their special bond, and their relationship as kids and into adulthood.

In this episode, you will hear Annie Lam, a communication specialist and Monica Ibarra, an equity, inclusion and diversity advisor, discuss their experience being first generation Americans.

In this episode, you will hear Michelle Gishkowsky, an IT program manager, and Marcia Core, an IT application architect, discuss their experience with mentorship. Michelle shares the joy she finds in being a mentor. Marcia talks about how seeking a mentor helped her grow professionally and how she’s stepping into the role of mentor herself.

In this episode, Alexandra Morrissey, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) neonatal nurse, and Matthew Rank, M.D., chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases, discuss their experiences parenting children who are living with disabilities. Morrissey talks about her daughter with down syndrome and what that means for her family. Dr. Rank shares his parenting experience raising a child living with cerebral palsy and another living with autism and epilepsy.

In this episode, Hilary Seltun, a financial counselor, and Edgar Mtanous, a principal gifts officer, discuss the ups and downs of being a single parent. Seltun talks about co-parenting two of her children and being the only parent for her youngest child. Mtanous shares his experience of having full custody of his three daughters from a young age.

In this episode, Sumathi Jayakumar, IT service delivery manager, and Cynthia Weiss, Public Affairs senior communications specialist, share their experiences celebrating Diwali and Hanukkah, both referred to as the "Festival of Lights." Jayakumar talks about Diwali and the meaning of the celebration for the Hindu culture. Weiss shares the history of Hanukkah and her traditions in the Jewish culture.

In this episode, you'll hear from Cynthia Mathews, IT lead analyst and Sharyn French, clinical research assistant, as they share their experiences with a service dog by their side. Mathews' dog, Claire, is a blue standard poodle who helps her with an invisible disability. French's dog, Milo, is a black lab who supports her with her diabetes.

In this episode, you will hear from Adria Whiting, a nurse practitioner, and Matt Horace, Mayo’s chief security officer, as they discuss their experiences on 9/11. Whiting was living outside New York City at the time. Her brother-in-law worked across the street from the World Trade Center, one of the buildings attacked on 9/11. Horace was a federal agent in Washington, D.C., and he shares what changed after the attacks from a security and law enforcement perspective.

In this episode, you will hear Dr. Starling, a female physician, and Tyler Bahr, a male nurse, discuss their experiences with gender stereotypes. Dr. Starling shares her perspective of being misidentified as a nurse and Bahr shares his experience of being misidentified as a physician based solely on their gender. Listen as they discuss the importance … Continue reading On reversing gender role stereotypes →

In this episode, you will hear from Crystal Buchak (they, them, theirs), a desk operations specialist, and Adam Schroeder (he, him, his), a nurse, as they discuss the importance of supporting one another by using the correct pronouns. Buchak identifies as gender-queer, which is commonly defined as a person whose gender identity cannot be solely described as male or … Continue reading On why using the right pronoun matters →

In this episode, you will hear from Kristi Welhaven, Human Resources, and Valerie Kleinhans, Orthopedics, discuss their journeys with mental health. Welhaven shares her experience managing her depression while juggling a full-time job with children who were distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kleinhans shares her perspective of working in a high-stress environment at a previous job that … Continue reading On finding tools, support to navigate mental health needs →

In this episode, you will hear from Bradford Smith, M.D., a cardiac anesthesiologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, and Mark M. Smith, M.D., a cardiac anesthesiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. They are brothers who grew up on a farm with a father who was also a physician, and they grew to support one another in … Continue reading Brothers who are Mayo physicians discuss growing up on a farm, family work ethic that shaped them →

In this episode, you will hear from Pat and Stephanie as they share their perspectives of being Mayo Clinic volunteers, helping patients and their families, and staff. Pat shares her perspective of being a longtime Mayo Clinic volunteer wearing many hats, while Stephanie talks about being a new volunteer who is already making a big … Continue reading On making a difference in patients’ lives as a Mayo Clinic volunteer →

In this episode, you will hear Scott Weber, a technical lead for Healthcare Technology Management, and Alan Janssen, a health systems engineer for Management Engineering and Consulting, share their journey of fatherhood. Scott shares his perspective of adopting two babies who grew up while he and his wife worked full time. Alan talks about his life as a … Continue reading On balancing work, curveballs of being a dad →

In this episode, you will hear from Axel Gumbel, a communications specialist, and Gaurav Jain, a section head in Information Technology, as they share their experiences and perspectives as first-generation immigrants to the U.S. Gumbel shares his experience coming to the U.S. as a high school exchange student from Germany. Jain shares his perspective on moving to the … Continue reading On first taste of the U.S. as immigrants, finding a window into the world →

In this episode, you will hear from Jenny Czapiewski, a nurse care coordinator, and Mark Wehde, chair of the Division of Engineering, as they discuss the importance of finding joy at work. Czapiewski shares her perspective of finding joy in the small moments and helping patients feel better. Wehde talks about finding meaning and purpose in his work, … Continue reading On finding meaning in work and things that bring you joy →

In this episode, you will hear from Ashlie Smith, a Human Resources strategic communications specialist, and Alec Williams, a nurse practitioner, as they discuss how they’ve found ways to fit fitness into their routines while balancing their work and personal lives. Ashlie shares how she’s found ways to make time for herself while working … Continue reading On finding time for fitness in busy lives →

In this episode, you’ll hear from Brenda Brault, vice chair in Revenue Cycle, and Megan Reps, a nurse in Neurologic Surgery, share their journey of motherhood. Brault shares what it means to her to be a mom in a blended family with children ranging from high school to adult, while Reps shares her perspective of being a … Continue reading On being a working mom →

In this episode, you’ll hear from Yerronda Lewis, an administrative assistant supervisor, and Alisha, a medical assistant, as they reflect on their experiences raising children of color. Yerronda shares her perspective of being an African American mom raising four African American children while Alisha shares her perspective of being a white mom … Continue reading On the rewards and challenges of raising children of color →

In this episode, you’ll hear from Jennifer Harden, an ambulatory nurse manager in Hematology, and Ken Aggen, a nurse in Hematology, discuss how they listened to their staff and made small changes to enhance the well-being of their work unit. Harden shares her perspective of being in a leadership role and wanting to help build camaraderie within her … Continue reading On taking steps to build team camaraderie, improve well-being →

In this episode, you’ll hear from Kristin Rosenbush, a nursing education specialist, and Marcia Edwards, a diversity recruitment specialist, as they reflect on their experiences of having children in the armed forces. Rosenbush's daughter is in the Critical Care program in the U.S. Army as a nurse, while Edwards has two sons in … Continue reading Being a military parent →

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear from Nicola Damerel, an Information Technology analyst/programmer, and Brittany Bones, an administrative assistant in the Office of Access Management. They discuss how they have adjusted to working from anywhere. Damerel has worked remotely for seven years while Bones started a new position at Mayo Clinic and began working remotely on her second day of work.

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear from Abigail Kirk, a nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and Lisa M. Brown, a nurse midwife at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota, as they reflect on their experiences as students in nurse midwifery at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear from Evette Eubanks, a case manager at Mayo Clinic, and Tara L. Miller, a surgery scheduler, as they share how a simple message on LinkedIn led them to make a connection, supporting one another and breaking down the walls that might otherwise separate them. How simply saying "I see you. What can I do?" helped lighten a heavy weight and led them to a deeper relationship and understanding.

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear Haley Hernandez, a nursing team lead in Neurology, ENT and Plastics, and Bridget Tippins, a hospital supervisor in Nursing Administration, discuss the benefits and challenges of working night shifts versus day shifts. They share their perspectives on how and why their work shifts fit with their busy lives.

In this episode of “Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences,” you’ll hear from Robert, a nurse in Pediatrics, and Rusty, a specialist in Patient Appointment Services, as they discuss the changes they’ve made to lead them to their careers in health care. Robert grew up in the family business as a sausage maker, while Rusty previously was a … Continue reading Going from butcher and ballet dancer to health care →

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear from Jane Jacobs and Rielyn Campbell as they share their experiences of working together while being generations apart. Jacobs, of Media Support Services, talks about being a baby boomer and the stereotypes that go along with that generation. Campbell, also of Media Support Services, discusses life as a millennial and the perceptions and misperceptions her generation faces.

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear from Alicia, a nurse in neurology, and Aaron Norman, a project manager in Health Sciences Research, as they discuss adoption. Alicia learns more about the adoption process from Norman and whether it could be the right fit for her and her husband. Norman shares his family's journey of becoming adoptive parents to two children. Norman also talks about how Mayo Clinic's Adoption Assistance Program made it possible for his family to adopt.

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear from Georjina Dowdell and Francie Dahlin as they share the challenges and triumphs they've experienced as people who are neurodiverse. Dowdell, a previous intern of Project Search who has a mild cognitive delay, now works in Comparative Medicine with colleague Dahlin who has autism. They discuss their journey to becoming Mayo Clinic staff and their support for one another.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Employee Experience, you’ll hear from two employees at different points in their career. But they’ve known each other for many years. Doug Holtan began his career at Mayo Clinic on the grounds crew during his summer breaks from college. Twenty-eight short years later, Holtan is chair of the Department of Facilities and Support Services. His daughter, Nora, was recently hired as an intern at the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center. The father-daughter duo recently sat down to discuss their experiences working at Mayo Clinic.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences, you’ll hear from Christine Adame, manager of medical transcription, who shares her excitement at nominating Francisco Abeyta, an Information Technology analyst, for the Individual Award for Service Excellence. This award is given to those who are high achievers and know how to tackle difficult challenges. Their good work inspires and motivates others. … Continue reading An award-winning attitude →

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences, you’ll hear from Julian and Scott — both of Central Service — as they reflect on the importance of friendship in the workplace. When Julian was outed as a transgender person, Scott’s support and that of others allowed him to find the courage to stand up for himself, … Continue reading Being transgender and finding support in the workplace →

In this episode, you'll hear from Kevin Wohl, a respiratory therapist, and Tosca Willis, a pharmacy technician II, as the married couple discusses their transitions from military to civilian life. Wohl is no longer in the military and shares his perspective of what it was like to prepare for work outside the military. Willis is in the reserves, and she shares the ongoing challenges of continuously transitioning roles from military life to civilian life.

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear Peter Rhee, D.O., an orthopedic surgeon, and his wife Laura Rhee, D.O., a palliative medicine physician, discuss their experiences as a military family. Dr. Peter Rhee served in the U.S. Air Force, which included two deployments where he participated in multiple military exercises and provided patient care from the battlefield. He describes his spouse, Laura, as "the epitome of a military wife," noting her support for his role in the military, taking care of their children and many home emergencies during his deployment.

In this episode of "Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences," you'll hear from Bayn Baxter-Smith and Eric Zimmerman Zuckerman as they discuss the role of women in balancing family and work. Baxter-Smith, a senior systems analyst in Radiology, shares the challenges women experience in the workplace and how she has found her authentic voice. Zimmerman Zuckerman, a development technologist for the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, was recognized as a male ally for women by his supervisor, Monica, and shares what it means to be an ally.

In this episode, you'll hear from Andre and Luqing as they share their experience of relocating to a new campus while working for Mayo Clinic. Andre moved from Mayo Clinic's Arizona campus to Mayo Clinic's Florida campus to embrace the change and opportunities available in research. Luqing moved from Rochester to Arizona for a new start as an engineer and to escape Minnesota winters.

In this episode, you'll hear Emily, a nurse practitioner, and Kristin, a nurse, discuss their experiences of being "boomerang" staff members. Both left Mayo and came back. There are many reasons for leaving an organization — to pursue an education, raise a family, experience different climates, explore a new career path, and many other dreams. Emily moved across the country to pursue her dream of working and living in California, and Kristin focused on raising her family while pursuing a nursing degree.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences, Jim Sprout from our Environmental Services team in Lake City, Minnesota and Terri Scutt, a Claims Adjuster for Quality in Arizona share some examples of giving back, and the importance of helping others.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences, Jessalyn and Tom discuss meeting in the workplace and developing a special connection. Listen as they share the benefits, challenges and sometimes awkward situations that occur when dating as colleagues.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences, Antuane and Kimberly, both HIMS Specialists in Florida, share their experiences supporting well-being initiatives for their teams. They discuss the impact on their work together, their teams, and the community.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Employee Experiences, Kristina, a CT Scan Technologist talks with Tammy, a Human Resources Generalist about the Mayo Clinic Spirit of Caring program. Kristina shares the unforeseen circumstances that led her to apply for funding and Tammy shares her experience of delivering some much needed good news to Kristina.