Gritman Medical Center

Sami has been a Patient Services Representative at Gritman’s Potlatch Family Medicine clinic since 2017, previously serving in Gritman’s Charlie Bear’s Child Care for eight years. As a Patient Services Representative, Sami is responsible for greeting patients, answering the phone, scheduling appointments and preparing charts for the next day’s patients – among other clerical duties. She also assists clinical staff as needed. Sami enjoys the relationship she is able to build with patients through her role representing Potlatch Family Medicine. “Speaking with the patients and getting to know them, as we are a primary care clinic, and we see our patients often,” she said. “I love working in the community that I live in.” She became a Certified Car Seat Safety Technician this spring. Sami helped coordinate a community car seat safety check in April in collaboration with Safe Start’s Mobile Safety Lab that took place outside the Potlatch clinic. Car seat safety checks were completed for families in the parking lot. To have a car seat safety check completed by Sami, please call the Potlatch clinic at 208-875-2380 to schedule. The team members at Potlatch Family Medicine all have a close bond. “We are like a family; we all get along really well together.” Sami also enjoys that her position allows her time with her family, in her community. “I love the rural clinics as it is great for my family with the schedule that I have, and they are very flexible when it comes to kids’ games and functions. I am glad I don’t have to miss out on my kids’ important moments,” she said. Outside of work, Sami enjoys spending time with her family, canning goods from her garden and being outdoors – camping, kayaking, hunting and fishing. Thank you, Sami, for your passion, dedication and excellent customer service you provide to the Potlatch community every day!   

Mary Jo serves as the Clinical Coordinator at Gritman’s Martin Wellness Center. She initially joined the Gritman Family more than 14 years ago as a volunteer before becoming a full-time member of the team. “I started as a volunteer and fell in love with the work,” she said. “It is an amazing feeling knowing the work you do truly makes a difference in patients’ daily lives. It fills your own cup to see how grateful these individuals are for the services you have provided.” She previously worked as the Lead Exercise Specialist before transitioning into her current position. As the Clinical Coordinator, Mary Jo manages day-to-day activities including billing and pool maintenance for the Wellness Center. She also helps teach some of the center’s exercise classes, including a class to help patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease called PE for PD. Class schedules are available at gritman.org/wellnesscenter. The part Mary Jo enjoys the most about her position is the people, she said. “Class participants become like family. We tease, we laugh and we have a great time with exercise.” Mary Jo describes the staff within her department as amazing. “I know everyone probably says that. I really do have the best team,” she said. “My team is the true definition of what teamwork is. We are positive, upbeat, and I can say they all truly care about everyone who walks through the front door, whether it be a teammate or a participant. Their compassion and dedication shines through, as nearly all of our classes are full.” Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children, paddle boarding, hiking and photography. Thank you, Mary Jo, for your dedicated commitment and passion that ensures members of our community can stay active through exercise.  

Chantelle celebrated 25 years of service with Gritman Medical Center earlier this year. She was initially hired as a Dietary Aide with the Food Services Department and has worked in departments including Environmental Services, Admitting, Radiology and Information Services. Chantelle has held her current role, as an Information Services Help Desk Technician, since 2012. “Chantelle is a shining example of Growing Gritman AND the Gritman Way. She has worked her way through the ranks to her current position with the Information Systems department,” said Kris Peterson, the director of Information Services. “She plays a pivotal role in providing support to our customers, where her experience, expertise and excellent attitude always show. Chantelle continuously looks for ways to make things better and is an invaluable member of the Gritman Family.” Help Desk Technicians solve a variety of problems each day, tackling different issues on a continual basis, and that’s what Chantelle enjoys most about her position. She stays busy throughout the day, answering phones and helping staff solve technology problems as they arise. She also assists with team projects, oversees the staff directory and helps physicians set up their computers. Lately, Chantelle has spent most of her time helping prepare for the Gritman System’s Electronic Health Record transition to OCHIN Epic – “Go-live” for that project is  scheduled for June 24. Chantelle describes the team she works with as one of a kind. “Our group of people are so knowledgeable in the computer world; I don’t think there is anything that we can’t do as a group,” she said. “They are also funny and serious, all at the same time.” Outside of work, Chantelle enjoys spending time with her family, being in the outdoors and riding her side-by-side. She also crochets baby blankets for friends and co-workers. Thank you, Chantelle, for your passion, dedication and the excellent customer service you provide every day to our employees in need of technological assistance throughout the organization. 

We were honored to have international keynote speaker and culture expert Kathleen Bartholomew serve as the keynote speaker for Gritman Medical Center's first Nursing Symposium this week in honor of National Nurses Week. A Registered Nurse who has been engaging hospital boards, physicians and nurses for more than 20 years, Kathleen gave an uplifting presentation that touched on powerful stories from her past and highlighted the important role nurses serve in the care of patients. We were fortunate to have members of Gritman's nursing staff, alongside nurses from across the Palouse and Lewis-Clark Valley, join us for this powerful event. The Nursing Symposium was generously sponsored by the Sheryl M. (Washburn) and Buddy L. Carter Endowment and Nurse Leaders of Gritman. Today and every day, we thank our nursing staff for their passion and dedication to health care!

Jessica Seibly works every day to ensure patients can get the surgical scopes they need, as quickly as possible. As an Endoscopy Nurse Navigator for Gritman General Surgeons and Gastroenterology, Jessica is the point person to help patients and clinical staff through the scheduling, preparation, and follow-up for colonoscopies – answering any and all questions along the way. “My role allows patients to have more timely access to health screenings and allows for a more centralized ownership of the process. Patients have my direct number, so they don’t have to go through phone trees to get their questions answered,” Jessica said. “Also, it allows for more opportunities to ask questions and review the bowel prep process, leading to higher quality colon preparation and safer, more accurate screenings.” The position is a new one at the General Surgeons and Gastroenterology clinic, aimed at narrowing the time between a referral and an endoscopic procedure. She supports Gastroenterologist Dr. Lee Hixson and General Surgeons Dr. Bryan Anderson and Dr. Brian Newell in ensuring patients have the resources they need. Learn more about Jessica and her role as an Endoscopy Nurse Navigator at https://lnkd.in/g-qwiFni

Sherry Jess wanted to keep moving. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in February 2023, the Albion resident and retired Certified Dental Assistant knew staying active was crucial to her overall mobility. Sherry found the movement she was looking for – along with improved dexterity and balance – in the fitness classes offered through Gritman’s Martin Wellness Center. The Wellness Center offers multiple sessions of an exercise class called PE for PD aimed at combatting Parkinson’s in a fun and challenging way. The exercises focus on balance, strength, mobility and cognitive function. “The one thing my Neurologist told me after giving me the diagnosis was you have to keep moving,” Sherry said. “If you become sedentary this disease will rob you of overall movement. I just took the attitude that these classes were ‘my job.’ I have to go to work three times a week. The coaches are a true blessing to those of us in each class.” Learn more about the PE for PD exercise class at gritman.org/newsroom.

Hollie is a Patient Care Program Educator in the Gritman Medical Center Education Department. She has held the role for three years after spending 13 years as the teacher for Gritman’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classes, which she continues to teach in addition to her daytime role. As a Patient Care Program Educator, Hollie provides foundational education for staff at the beginning of their health care careers, as well as continuing education for staff to stay up to date in their fields. She helps in the planning, organization and implementation of education for newly hired and existing staff including Nurse Residents and a Preceptor Class that educates future Nurse Preceptors. Hollie also onboards Gritman’s Medical Assistants, presents and assists with Skills Day, coordinates training and scheduling for Nurse Residents and leads orientation for all Nursing students. “I enjoy helping individuals on their professional journey and I experience a sense of excitement and satisfaction in helping to motivate them to reach their goals,” Hollie said. She holds a bachelor's degree in Nursing from Boise State University and a bachelor's degree in Zoology from The College of Idaho in Caldwell. Hollie has been a Registered Nurse for 33 years. “I had a desire to be of service in health care after experiencing first-hand how a Nurse can affect a patient's recovery, after myself having surgery in young adulthood,” she said. Hollie’s advice to others who are interested in becoming a Nurse is to stick with it even when the tasks before you are challenging. “Becoming a Nurse requires 100% commitment and focus and is not an easy field to enter, but the rewards of being a Nurse far outweigh any struggles encountered along the way. The journey is part of the reward.” Thank you, Hollie, for sharing your insight on your path to becoming a Nurse and your dedication to future Nurses through your role as a Patient Care Program Educator.

Ashleigh has been a Licensed Master Social Worker at Gritman since 2021. She started as an inpatient Social Worker in our Case Management department before transitioning this fall to the clinics team. “I provide care coordination to vulnerable patients who are struggling to access community resources. When I get the referral for the patient’s primary care doctor, I will touch base with them and connect them with resources for whatever their need may be,” she said. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Montana, receiving a bachelor's degree in Social Work. Ashleigh went back to school six years later, enrolling at Boise State University and completed a master’s degree in Social Work. “I was able to complete an advance standing program and it took me 18 months to complete it as a part-time student,” she said. Ashleigh advises others who are interested in becoming a Social Worker to gain relevant experience, seek mentorship and guidance, and develop self-care strategies. “Remember, Social Work is a rewarding but demanding profession. It requires empathy, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others,” she said. To learn more about Ashleigh’s path on becoming a Social Worker visit https://lnkd.in/grPygiDF

Melissa serves as the Clinic Nursing Coordinator for Gritman’s Moscow Family Medicine Downtown Clinic and the University of Idaho Vandal Health Clinic. She has been employed with Gritman Medical Center for three years, holding positions as a Staff Registered Nurse at the Vandal Health Clinic and as a Clinic Lead prior to transitioning into her current role. “Gritman was my first choice for employment because of its strong community ties,” Melissa said. “I have been blessed with an amazing career and growth opportunities in my time here.” A typical day for Melissa consists of overseeing daily clinic tasks, collaborating across departments to improve patient care, providing mentorship and support to her teams, and helping to recruit new employees. “The role of coordinator is an exciting position because I get to work closely with patients and the clinical staff I support,” she said. Melissa describes the staff she works with at each clinic as a giant family. “Our work is meaningful, but we know how to have fun and support one another.” Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family. “I am happiest anywhere outdoors; especially camping, fishing, hiking or picking huckleberries,” she said. “I also enjoy painting and crafting, selling my creations in local craft fairs.” Thank you, Melissa, for your dedication to health care and the compassion you show toward your patients and those you work with each and every day. 

Lisa is a Critical Care Educator in the Gritman Medical Center Education Department, a role she transitioned into after first joining the hospital as a Critical Care Unit Registered Nurse in 2019. She and her husband relocated from Lewiston to Moscow after purchasing land in the area. “I had heard a lot of good things about Gritman and its ‘Culture of Caring,’” Lisa said. “I am so grateful to now be part of the Gritman Family.” On a typical day, Lisa can be found teaching a Nursing Essential class, a Critical Care Skills Day class, or a Code Blue Simulation for employees. She teaches eight different advanced Nursing Essential classes for Nurse Residents and Medical Surgical/Critical Care Unit Nurses. When Lisa is not teaching, she reviews data from Code Blue records and works to improve the Code Blue Response Teams’ skills and procedures – following guidelines and recommendations from the American Heart Association. “The rest of the time is spent on research and development to ensure that the classes I teach are relevant, up-to-date, and follow best practice guidelines from our Gritman policies, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, HealthStream and physician preferences.” As a Critical Care Educator, Lisa finds joy in preparing and teaching others. “I love the process, the research and development of teaching material. Creating and designing PowerPoint presentations and a variety of simulation scenarios. I also work with an amazing team in the Education Department,” she said. Lisa describes the staff she works with as kind, collaborative and extremely helpful. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys the outdoors. “I love to ski, mountain bike, and hike the mountains around our home with our golden retrievers.” Thank you, Lisa, for your passion for health care education and helping our medical staff continue in our mission to provide extraordinary care to improve the health of the people in our communities.