Our Staff at BrightStar Care® St. Croix Valley

How many years that you’ve been in your career? I opened our St Croix Valley office in 2011. I am originally an Architect but was called to serve in this capacity after experiencing the benefits of Home Care with my mother in law Nancy. She was able to live out the last 2-1/2 years of her life in her home surrounded by her family, grandchildren and puppies. It was thanks to her journey that my husband and I felt that we could make a positive difference in the lives of the families that we serve and our employees. 

What you like most about working for BrightStar? I feel truly blessed. I work with the most amazing people. I am an only kid and I only have one daughter so I have a small family, but thanks to employees and clients, I really feel like I have a huge family and it gives me the opportunity to make a positive difference when it can be some of their darkest times. 

The best piece of advice I've ever been given is: Crisis is Equal to Opportunity. I know that it’s hard to navigate adversity but life is about change. The best way to try and find comfort is to not give up on your dreams and find a way to leverage the challenges that you face and figure out how to make it a positive. Some of the worst things that have happened to me have actually turned out to be huge blessings. 

If I weren't so good at my job, I'd probably be a Horse Trainer and an Artist. I rekindled my passion for horses by taking up Reining and two Quarter Horses and I train with the wonderful team at Brian Welman’s Training Stable in River Falls Wisconsin. 

Cats or dogs? Both, I would never be able to choose between my Shiba Inu, Kokomo or Kitty, whom we adopted from our neighbors when they moved to Florida. 

If I were a superhero, my superpower would be Innovation. I love making things and solving problems. When I retire, I am going to need a huge sewing, art and woodworking studio…I just love creating things. 

When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a Lawyer. I used to sit in the courtrooms in the mornings when my mom brought me to work while I was waiting for the stores to open. I was fascinated by the court cases. The only issue was that I have dyslexia and my spelling was horrible. This was way before spell check and computers. I went the Architecture route because I could draw, and present my ideas easily and luckily math and science wasn’t an issue. See, Crisis is equal to Opportunity…So, don’t let a setback keep you from chasing dreams. Who knows, maybe when I retire, I might just go after that Law Degree!

Time with BrightStar? 5 years

Healthcare Experience? I have worked as a Registered Nurse for 26 years, in Healthcare for 32 years.

Best part of your job? I genuinely love to help people. I have great empathy for people in varying life situations, and love to help figure out ways to make life easier for them. Working at BrightStar Care allows me to come together with a team of nurses, caregivers and staff members all working toward a common goal for our clients. 

Favorite place you've been? US Virgin Islands, St John, in particular, the people are very kind, the beaches have the most gorgeous white sand. The views are breathtaking. It is mostly National Parks with unlimited hiking and sights.

What did you want to be when you were 5? A Veterinarian, I grew up on a farm and admired our local veterinarian and how hard she worked and all she did for our animals.

Time with BrightStar?  3 years

Healthcare Experience?  8 years

Best part of your job?

I have the opportunity to help our clients improve their quality of life and reduce the stress they may be experiencing due to complex medical problems and treatments.

What pasta noodle would you be? Why?

I would be…a spaghetti noodle because I enjoy simple, classic things like reading a book or listening to music.

Cats or dogs? Why?

Cats, I live in the midwest and I don’t want to take my dog for a walk when it's -20 degrees.

Best piece of advice you've received?
There is no such thing as a coincidence, everything happens for a reason.

Time with BrightStar?  2 years 8 months

Healthcare Experience?  11 years

Best part of your job?  Making people smile

What would you be in another life? Why?  A bird to fly free

Best piece of advice you've received?  Stay out of the drama

If you won the lottery, what would you spend it on?  Animal Human Society

What did you want to be when you were 5?  A school teacher

Cats or dogs? Why?  Dogs they are so love-able and cuddly

What superpower would you like to have? Why?  To be able to fly get places faster and be able to fly faster

What pasta noodle would you be? Why?  Spaghetti noodle, slim and slender

Dream vacation?  Alaska

Time with BrightStar?  5 years 6 months

Healthcare Experience?  25 years in Nursing

Best part of your job?

When I see that I can make a difference is someone's life or just their day by helping them.

What would I be in another life? Why?

I would like to be reborn as the wind in my next life. Being the wind, I can be free and go anywhere I please to be. I only have to worry about me.

Best piece of advice you've received?

My mother-in-law, she told me that hard work will never kill you, only illness will. Don't be afraid to work too hard.

If I won the lottery, what would you spend it on?
First and foremost, buy me a new home and car.  After that, I want to buy my mom and sister a house too to call their own. After all that, I want to buy many laundry mats and watch my money grow. (Wishful thinking)

Time with BrightStar? 1.5 years
Healthcare Experience? 6 years
Best part of your job? The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in our clients lives.
Best piece of advice you've received? Don’t suffer in imagination, be present.
What did you want to be when you were 5? The garbage man
Cats or dogs? Why? Dogs!! My dog Lambeau brightens my day:)
What superpower would you like to have? Why? Teleportation. Would make traveling much easier.
What pasta noodle would you be? Why? Bowtie. This is a very versatile pasta that can fit in anywhere!

Time with BrightStar? 10 Years
Healthcare Experience? 40+ years
Best part of your job? Reaching out to those in need and being able to help them get care to keep them safe and as healthy as possible. Working as a community to provide as much care as possible to as many as possible. Providing education on help available for the vulnerable.
Best piece of advice you've received? Be The Best That You Can Be, Then The Best Will Come, and You Will Be Happy With Who You Are!
What superpower would you like to have? Why? I would like to be able to bring peace to the world! No more anger and hate. 

Time with BrightStar?  Two months

Healthcare Experience?  Six years

Best part of your job?  Being able to witness clients transformation and progress throughout their course of physical therapy.

What did you want to be when you were 5?  As an avid Vikings fan, I had a dream of being the Minnesota Vikings quarterback.

Cats or dogs? Why?  Dogs - they’re loyal and show unconditional love

What pasta noodle would you be? Why?  Ravioli - I like to think that I am filled with good stuff on the inside.

Time with BrightStar? 2.5 years
Healthcare Experience? 8 years
Best part of your job? Helping clients meet their goals.
What did you want to be when you were 5? Professional basketball player
Favorite place visited? Reflection Canyon

Time with BrightStar? 3 years

Healthcare Experience? 25 years

Best part of your job? The opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives by helping them regain independence and engage in activities that matter most to them.

What would you be in another life? Rockstar

If you won the lottery, what would you spend it on? Taco Night for everyone!

Cats or dogs? Why? Dogs, no explanation needed.

What superpower would you like to have? Super Speed

What pasta noodle would you be? Why? Cavatappi because they are never boring, always full of energy and creativity.

Time with BrightStar?  8 years

Healthcare Experience?  9 years

Best part of your job?

The best part of my job is recruiting and hiring the amazing staff we have to care for our clients. I enjoy getting to know and working with our staff through the hiring process. We have a wonderful team!

Best piece of advice you've received?

Everything in life is temporary, this reminds you that good times and difficult times will pass, giving you perspective and patience in every situation.

What superpower would you like to have?
Healing power, eliminating pain and suffering would be incredible!!

Time with BrightStar? 7 years
Healthcare Experience? 46 years as a RN
Best part of your job? The flexibility BrightStar Care offers.
In another life I would be? I’m pretty sure I was a Mermaid
Best piece of advice you've received? Call people by their first name and be interested in them.
What did you want to be when you were 5? I was pretty sure that I was going to be a ballerina when I grew up…but the I also highly considered being a Nun and a Scullery Maid

Time with BrightStar? 1 year

Healthcare Experience? 28 years 

Best part of your job? Helping clients progress with their therapy goals and gain more independence.

Best piece of advice you've received? “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, to all the people you can, in all the places you can, as long as ever you can."

Favorite place you've been? Tanzania, East Africa 

Time with BrightStar? Almost a year

Healthcare Experience? 25 years

Best part of your job?  I'm an introvert, so this position forces me out of my comfort zone when engaging with clients and caregivers every day.

What would you be in another life? Why? A blue whale.  I would always be in the ocean, which is my happy place, and I hopefully would be large enough to intimidate predators.

What did you want to be when you were 5? The singing voice of a Disney princess.

What superpower would you like to have? Why? Tony Stark's brain (Marvel.). I would always be the smartest person in the room.

Cats or dogs? Why? Dogs - they offer unconditional love and are always excited to see their owners.

Time with BrightStar?  3 months

Healthcare Experience? 10 years

Best part of your job?

Helping clients with their needs/questions.

Best piece of advice you've received?

Treat every person I've met as I would want to be treated.

Dream Vacation?

Germany; Travel to all the areas that my father's family lived/worked before coming to US.  Family goes back to Great Great Grandfathers time.

What pasta noodle would you be? Why?
Elbow Macaroni because I would elbow people playing basketball!

Time with BrightStar? 1.5 years

Healthcare Experience? 8 years 

Best part of your job? I enjoy working with all clients, but especially seniors. It’s rewarding being able to help them stay in their homes longer. It’s also a bonus that I get to work with a great team! 

If you won the lottery, what would you spend it on? I would buy a cabin for my family to enjoy! For many years my grandparents had a cabin in Longville, MN and we loved going there.

Cats or dogs? Dogs! They are the best companions.  

Dream vacation or favorite place you've been? My favorite place I’ve ever visited was Italy. I hope to go back someday! My dream vacation would be Aruba, the beaches look incredible there.  

Best piece of advice you've received? Not to underestimate the value of giving someone your time. 

Time with BrightStar?  9 months

Healthcare Experience?  10+ years

Best part of your job?  Family like setting in the office and the field!

What did you want to be when you were 5? When I was 5 I wanted to be an adult so I could make my own decisions...Now I just want someone to make decisions for me!! But I also wanted to be a "hobo" so I could travel the world and follow my own rules!!
Dream Vacation? On a private island with perfect weather all the time and I never have to leave!!!