Author: JBrown@welia.org

Meet New Employee – Vickie Thayer

Meet Vickie Thayer
Position: RN
Start Date: 1/25/16
Birthday: March 23rd
Background/Educations: Associates Degree in Nursing from Central Lakes College. On-line Capella University for BSN and MSN.
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? Working in a variety of areas at hospital and meeting new people.
What are your three favorite movies? 1. Mulan 2. The Notebook 3. Fool's Gold
What is your favorite color? love all colors
Do you have a nickname? None
What are your hobbies?: Martial arts, riding motorcycle, gardening and landscaping

Meet New Student – Dustin Muller

Meet Dustin Muller
Position: Anesthesia Student
Start Date: 02/01/2016
Birthday: October 24th
Background/Educations: 2005 - 2008 Rochester Community and Technical College
2009 - 2014 Mayo Clinic, Medical Cardiac ICU
2009 - 2012 Augsburg College (BSN)
2014 - Present Minneapolis School of Anesthesia
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? Growing up in a small town (Preston, MN). I am excited to practice in a small community setting where everyone seems as though they are family.
What are your three favorite movies? 1. Dumb and Dumber 2. Step Brothers 3. Superbad
What is your favorite color? Blue
Do you have a nickname? Fuzz
What are your hobbies?: Fishing, hunting, watching/playing sports, working out, netflix binging, hanging out with my fiance, friends, and family.

Meet New Employee – Erika Bankers

Meet Erika Bankers
Position: RN
Start Date: 01/25/2016
Birthday: 6/9
Background/Educations: CNA, CMA, ADN RN from Rasmussen in St. Cloud. I have worked in a nursing home as a CNA. When I received my MA I helped manage care at an Alzheimers unit in the cities. I moved to Mora in 2012 and worked in the rehab unit at St. Clares
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? I have always felt a rural hospital would be best fit for me since I love all aspects of health care. It seems like a positive work environment and I love positive people.
What are your three favorite movies? 1. The Fast & Furious Series 2. Dark Knight 3. Any movie with Adam Sandler
What is your favorite color? Orange
Do you have a nickname? Rikki
What are your hobbies?: Anything outside. We love four-wheeling, snowmobiling, hunting, hiking, biking, swimming, boating, fishing, etc. I'm a huge hockey and football fanatic. I love cooking and baking. Anytime I am around my family, friends, and happy people I am happy!

Meet New Employee Melanie Baures

Meet Melanie Baures
Position: Perioperative RN
Start Date: 01/25/2016
Birthday: 05/09
Background/Educations: In 2009 I graduated from Minnesota West Community and Technical College with my surgical tech diploma. After working as a scrub for 6 years I returned to nursing school (MN West) and received my LPN. While working as an LPN I continued the following fall into the associates program graduating in 2015.
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? I am excited about being a part of the small town community but being able to provide "big town" health care. This means working closely with my fellow coworers to keep health care local.
What are your three favorite movies? 1. The Wedding Date 2. Pretty Woman 3. Now and Then
What is your favorite color? Blue
Do you have a nickname? Mel
What are your hobbies?: Most of my extra time is spent with my hubby Jay and our 3 kids Jon (12) Charlies (girl 4) Jack (3). We spend most of our time outside. Working on crafts, boating, campfires, spending time at one lake, camping, hoping to pick up some more hobbies when time allows.

Meet New Employee – Beth Pugh

Meet Beth Pugh
Position: Physical Therapist
Start Date: 01/25/2016
Birthday: 09/27
Background/Educations: University of Minnesota - College of St. Scholastica
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? I am most excited to learn and grow from my new co-workers
What are your three favorite movies? 1. Cinderella 2. Sound of Music 3. Wild Hogs
What is your favorite color? Blue
Do you have a nickname? No
What are your hobbies?: Reading, biking, hiking, and camping

Meet New Employee – Sandi DeJong

Meet Sandi DeJong
Position: Occupational Therapist
Start Date: 01/25/2016
Birthday: 04/13
Background/Educations: College of St. Catherine - B.A. Occupational Therapist
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? I've heard great things about the rehab department and FirstLight. I'm looking forward to learning new areas of treatment, and expand my skill set.
What is your favorite color? Green
Do you have a nickname? No
What are your hobbies?: I love art fairs, decorating, nature walks, gardening/yard, relax with friends, reading, movies, and anytime I can travel or take a quick road trip.

Meet New Student Rebecca Price

Meet Rebecca Price
Position: Anesthesia Student
Start Date: 01/12/2016
Birthday: 12/22
Background/Educations: Received Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Jametown in Jamestown, ND. Worked in the ICU at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND for 3 years then at North Memorial Medical Center for 2 years. Currently graduate student at the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia graduating in November 2016 with Masters in Nurse Anesthesia.
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? Excited to get out of Minneapolis and work in a rural location. Excited to become more independent in practice and gain experience in multiple regional techniques.
What are your three favorite movies? 1. Baby Mama 2. Days of Thunder 3. Elf
What is your favorite color? Blue
Do you have a nickname? Becca
What are your hobbies?: Working out, enjoying time on the farm going for wagon rides and sleigh rides.

Meet New Student Katie Covington

Meet Katie Covington
Position: Surgical Tech
Start Date: 01/12/16
Birthday: 09/09
Background/Educations: I'm from Perham, MN but currently live in St. Cloud. I previously studied art and east Asian studies, studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan from the 2011-2012 school year (so yes, I speak Japanese - or enough to get by in a city). I chose to work in surgical technology because I am fascinated by the human body and surgery.
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? I'm looking forward to working on a variety of procedures and building my skills as a surg tech student.
What are your three favorite movies? 1. Indiana Jones 2. Avatar 3. StarWars
What is your favorite color? Blues - and basically all colors
Do you have a nickname? None
What are your hobbies?: Reading, crocheting, gardening, drawing and painting, spending time with friends, family, and pets. Learning about other cultures and religions, studying Japanese.

Meet New Employee Dana tenCate

Meet Dana tenCate
Position: Patient Registration Scheduler
Start Date: 01/11/2016
Birthday: 07/30
Background/Educations: I am from Ogilvie, MN. I graduated in 2003. From there I attended Central Lakes College from 2003 - 2005. From there I attended Bemidji State University 2005-2008. I moved to Daytona Beach Florida in 2009. I attended Florida Technical College in 2010 for billing and coding. After that worked for Halifax Hospital up until the present.
What are you excited about working at Welia Health? I love the medical industry. I feel like its a fit! Also will be nice to work with some familiar faces.
What are your three favorite movies? 1. Drop Dead Gorgeous 2. Uncle Buck 3. A Lot Like Love
What is your favorite color? Black
Do you have a nickname? Daners or Dani
What are your hobbies?: Volleyball, drinking coffee, exercise, and hanging out with friends.