Teresa M., Polysomnographer
Teresa has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Cardiopulmonary Division of Aureus Medical Group. Teresa has worked for Aureus since 2007 and is currently on her 10^th assignment. She is a hard-working Sleep Tech and has been requested back by several previous clients. Her current manager said that she is “one of the best Sleep Techs” he has ever seen in the field. Teresa was asked to be our Sleep Clinical Consultant in 2010 and has done a phenomenal job as our representative. Aureus is very proud to have her as one of our employees!

Annie A., CT/X-Ray Technologist
Annie has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Diagnostic Imaging Division of Aureus Medical Group. Annie has worked for Aureus since 2004 and completed over 23 assignments. She is such a hard worker, putting in over 45 hours a week and working the overnight shifts. Our hospitals adore her and have provided only glowing evaluations. Annie is the epitome of a model traveler!

Daphne P., Medical Technologist
Daphne has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Medical Laboratory Division of Aureus Medical Group. Daphne has worked for Aureus for over three years and completed many assignments. She is a wonderful representation of our company with her attitude and work ethic.  She handles working in the busiest labs with a smile on her face.  Once client even requested her back around Christmas as they considered her family and wanted to make sure she was there for the holiday party. We are truly lucky to have Daphne as part of the Aureus Medical team!

Kimberly P., RN (ICU)
Kimberly has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Nursing Division of Aureus Medical Group. Kim has worked for Aureus since 2007 and has completed 10 assignments during that time. She is consistently asked to extend at our facilities, in addition to being asked to return year after year to seasonal hospitals. Some positive comments made on her behalf by Kim’s managers include, “outstanding”, “great to work with”, “very pleasant and helpful”, “great nurse and very dependable”, “great people skills”, and “an asset to your company.” She is a pleasure to work with over the phone and her patients are fortunate to be able to receive her care in person. Kim is the consummate professional and Aureus is proud to have her as part of the Aureus Medical team.

Jennifer D., Physical Therapist
Jennifer has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Rehabilitation Therapy Division of Aureus Medical Group. Jennifer has worked with Aureus for over three years and is on her 6^th consecutive assignment with us. She has been at her current assignment for over a year. She demonstrates dependability, reliability, and flexibility and goes above and beyond in every situation she is presented with. Jennifer has been a standout employee and has set a standard for exceptional patient care. One of her reviews stated, “I have received outstanding feedback from several patients/family members on her clinical skills and rapport with our patients. She has also been requested by name by patients and family members.” Jennifer is a shining example of an outstanding employee and one we are proud to have representing Aureus Medical.

Zella M., Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Zella has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Advanced Practice Division of Aureus Medical Group. Zella is a very experience NP and has worked at her current assignment since December 2010.  This client continually asks for her to extend. Working with a variety of mental health illnesses, she is always friendly and professional with patients and families. Aureus is very thankful for all the hard work and dedication Zella puts into her career.

•  Nursing – East Branch devoted time to help the Salvation Army with Toyland, a program to assist qualified parents in selecting toys for their children for Christmas. The team split into two groups and served as personal shoppers for the parents, helping them pick out the perfect gift for each of their children.

• 

  Serving dinner for the Common Table Outreach Program.

  Nursing – California and Southwest Branches combined forces to provide Christmas dinner and act as hospitality volunteers for families through Common Table on December 19. They provided meals for over 125 people. As hospitality volunteers, they welcomed the guests and spent time talking with them during and after the meal. Common Table is an outreach program that supplies a meal for the impoverished and homeless people of Omaha. 

•  Nursing – Mountain West and Central Branches joined together to sort, box and shelve food for the Food Bank for the Heartland. Each of the 15 people from the two branches donated 2.5 hours of their time. Erin Anderson, Central branch manager, said, “Everyone really enjoyed being able to give back.”
• Various Medical (Nursing & Allied) employees stepped in to help when an email was received about a family in need. Five children had been removed from their mother’s care and placed with their 24-year old aunt. Social services informed the aunt that if she could not find appropriate sleeping arrangements for the kids they would be placed in separate foster homes. Employees started organizing how to get them bunk beds as well as donated toys, clothes, and gift cards for the family. The family wanted to pass along how extremely appreciative of everything they were.

Juli G., Respiratory Therapist
Juli has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Cardiopulmonary Division of Aureus Medical Group. Juli has worked seven assignments with Aureus over two and a half years. She has successfully completed all of her assignments with extremely high marks by all of her employers. She has had multiple perfect scores on her evaluations by client facilities. On her last two assignments, the clients have asked for Juli to stay on full-time. She is a true asset to Aureus Medical.

Heidi D., Cardiac Cath Lab Technologist
Heidi has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Diagnostic Imaging Division of Aureus Medical Group. Heidi started in 2007 and is currently on her 7th assignment for Aureus. This included a one year assignment in California. One client has said, “If I could clone Heidi and have more of her, I would love it”. To each new assignment, Heidi brings with her a vast knowledge and dedication to the cath lab and her patients, always striving to do the very best she can with a smile on her face. She is a model traveler that signifies everything Aureus stands for.

Deb W., Medical Laboratory Technician
Deb has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Medical Laboratory Division of Aureus Medical Group. Deb has completed six assignments for Aureus Medical. She has received outstanding reviews on every one of them. We often get called from our clients a couple days after Deb arrives stating she has been a blessing to the lab department and just what they needed. With her positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile, her evaluations are always outstanding. We are truly lucky to have Deb as part of the Aureus Medical team!

Christine K., RN (OR)
Chris has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Nursing Division of Aureus Medical Group. Chris has worked for Aureus since 2003 and has worked close to 7000 hours! She has been asked to return by several clients, but is usually booked several months in advance. She truly cares about her job and her patients, going above and beyond with every assignment. We are grateful to have Chris as part of the Aureus Medical team.

Angela B., Occupational Therapist
Angela has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Rehab Therapy division of Aureus Medical Group. Angela has worked with Aureus Medical since March of 2010. She is currently on her 6^th assignment and has been offered to extend multiple times while on assignment. She consistently earns high praise from her onsite supervisors for flexibility, ethics and dependability. She distinguishes herself from other travelers in the field by being extremely flexible when considering assignments and is willing to take on challenges from which others shy away, including difficult-to-staff locations. As an employee Angela is always happy, cheerful and is an overall joy to work with. She represents all the amazing things that Aureus has to offer, and is a phenomenal ambassador for us in the field.

Gerald P., Physician Assistant
Gerry has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Advanced Practice Division of Aureus Medical Group. Gerry has been working with Aureus Medical for over a year.   During this time he’s worked in some very remote settings.  He is always able to find the best in every situation.  At each assignment, the clients have asked him to extend or stay on full-time. He’s even recruited his wife, who is an RN, to come travel with us as well. On Gerry’s latest assignment they have asked him to come back multiple times due to his great patient care and flexibility with his schedule.  Aureus is very thankful for all the hard work and dedication Gerry puts into his work and his patients.

What do bed bugs look like?
An adult bed bug is reddish brown, wingless, oval in shape, and about ¼ inch long. Some confuse them with ticks, but ticks have 8 legs and bed bugs have 6 legs.

Where do you look to see if you have bed bugs?
They do not live on people or animals. They do live in cracks, bedding, and voids near where people sleep or lie down (including headboards, seat cushions, and light switches). Pull up the corner of your bed mattress and look for live bugs, dark spots, or tiny whitish eggs.

How do bed bugs get into a home?
They can hitchhike or lay eggs in luggage, furniture, or any item that spent time in an infested room.

How do I prevent bed bugs?

• Anytime you check into a new hotel room, rent an apartment or house, or stay somewhere new, survey the room for infestation. It is not a sanitary issue – they can be found in upscale resorts or one star motels.
• Lift the mattress, box springs, any furniture where you will be resting, and upholstery to check for bugs.
• Pull your headboard away from the wall, especially if the headboard is made of wood.
• Elevate your luggage. Keep items off the floor. Make sure to inspect the hotel’s luggage rack – a metal rack is preferable to a wood rack. Pull the rack away from the wall.
• Check your luggage when packing and then again when unpacking at your next destination. Do this before bringing your luggage into your bedroom!

What do I do if I suspect I have bed bugs?
If you are on assignment, make sure to contact the building’s facility manager as well as your Account Manager right away. They can work with a professional to treat the infestation.

Medical Laboratory Employee of the Year, Norma B.

Norma B., Medical Technologist
Norma began her travels five years ago and has since been in demand and valued wherever she goes.  Her supervisors have said of Norma that she is simply outstanding, is there to help in any situation, and is the kind of employee everyone looks for.  She says working in various sized hospitals and learning new instrumentations keep her career exciting.  And knowing that her work has a direct influence on how a patient is medically treated, her responsibility to the patient always comes first. No matter where her assignments take her, she’s an advocate for her field.  On the job, she participates in health fairs and enthusiastically promotes Medical Laboratory Week to those across the hospital organization.  Norma is a true asset to Aureus and the facilities she works in.  Congratulations, Norma!

Nursing Employee of the Year, Tia R.

Tia R., Surgical Technologist
Tia has been traveling for four years, three of which have been spent in the same facility.  Her supervisors think so highly of her, they continue to extend her contract.  As the connection between physicians, OR staff, and case managers, Tia keeps the OR schedule flowing. Her supervisors at the hospital say she is so beneficial to them, they view her as a seamless, full-time member of their team who sees the big picture, not just the pieces.  Her Account Manager calls her a standout employee who is always kind, energetic, and goes above and beyond in the workplace.  Tia says the challenges and pressures that come with her role keep each day exciting and the rewards are immensely fulfilling.  We feel priveleged to work alongside someone like Tia. Congratulations, Tia!

Rehab Therapy Employee of the Year, Melinda C.

Melinda C., Occupational Therapist
Melinda has been traveling with Aureus for nearly two years.  As an NDT certified Occupational Therapist, helping others is her passion.  Her vast experience and skills are equaled by her patience, kindness, and gentle nature.  She’s a therapist who transforms lives from assignment to assignment and who makes positive contributions to the inner workings of OT departments – providing mentorship and educating teams. One department director called her a “gold mine” and “a great teacher”.  Another commented that she goes above and beyond for her patients, regardless of changes in caseload and hours.  Yet another called her a wonderful addition to their team. Melinda is an amazing example of an Aureus employee.  Congratulations, Melinda!

Diagnostic Imaging Employee of the Year, Kym Z.

Kym Z., Ultrasound Technologist
Kym has been working in the imaging field for over 30 years and has traveled for the past 11 years.  Her supervisors praise her skills, her positive attitude, and how she goes out of her way to get to know her co-workers.  One summed it up by saying, “Kym is absolutely the best.” Kym believes there is always something new she can learn from others, yet she’s generous in sharing her knowledge and years of experience.  After three decades in her field, no day is ever dull and she still finds it fascinating.  She knows that helping people, through her work is what she was meant to do.  We are proud to have Kym represent us on assignments. Congratulations, Kym!

Cardiopulmonary Employee of the Year, Stephanie R.

Stephanie R., Respiratory Therapist
Stephanie has been working in the field of Respiratory Therapy for more than 30 years and has traveled for 8 of them.  Her supervisors remark on her positive outlook, her great personality, and the way she connects with her colleagues.  She steps in, pitches in, and goes the extra mile, always with a smile on her face and a spring in her step.  After three decades in her profession, she says her biggest rewards come from seeing the progress of her patients and the daily strides they make toward recovery.  She knows she’s had a hand in that and it makes it all worthwhile.  We are truly lucky to have Stephanie represent Aureus.  Congratulations, Stephanie!

Darrell S., Respiratory Therapist
Darrell has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Cardiopulmonary Division of Aureus Medical Group. Darrell has worked for Aureus since 2007 and has completed 10 assignments. He is always extended at each assignment. He is very knowledgeable, dependable, and easy to get along with. Along with his excellent RT skills, he is always referring others to work for Aureus and currently has several of his referrals working now. Darrell has been a wonderful example of what an Aureus traveler is!

Saw Lan A., General/Vascular Ultrasound Technologist
Saw Lan has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Diagnostic Imaging Division of Aureus Medical Group. Saw Lan has worked for Aureus since December 2008. At her current assignment, she has become a great addition to the team. She works hard to help in any area needed, including teaming up with staff from the facility’s fitness center to help with a “Biggest Loser” competition. She helped train and motivate a team to run a 5K! Facilities continue to ask for Saw Lan back because of her upbeat personality, strong work ethic, and her ability to fit in wherever she goes. She is a walking billboard of the quality and caliber of employee that Aureus strives for.

Kathy S., Medical Technologist
Kathy has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Medical Laboratory Division of Aureus Medical Group. We can always count on Kathy to show up to her next assignment with a smile on her face and ready to jump in and help the client in any way she can. She’s always friendly, professional, and flexible on where she will travel. This makes it easier for us to match her skills to the best opportunities available. We are lucky to have Kathy on the Aureus Medical team!

Yolanda B., RN (NICU)
Yolanda has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Nursing Division of Aureus Medical Group. Yolanda has worked several assignments for us over the last seven years. At her current assignment, she was only there for two weeks before the CNO requested she be extended another 13 weeks. She is always willing to help out, often floating to other areas of the OB unit. There have been times when the facility suddenly needed help in the middle of the night and Yolanda will come in to help out, even if it is only for a few hours. That’s the true definition of a team player! We are grateful to have Yolanda as part of the Aureus Medical team.

Cheryl A., Occupational Therapist Assistant
Cheryl has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Rehab Therapy Division of Aureus Medical Group. Cheryl works as an Occupational Therapist Assistant and is on her 5^th assignment in the last two years. Despite some challenging times, she never ceases to have a positive attitude. She is also the epitome of loyalty, handing out our contact information to coworkers who are interested in a change of scenery. Cheryl is very flexible and understanding of the give and take of contract work. She goes above and beyond on each assignment. We are truly lucky to have her working for Aureus.

Kathleen S., Nurse Practitioner
Kathleen has been awarded the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the Advanced Practice Division of Aureus Medical Group. Kathy has been traveling with Aureus since 2008. She has worked assignments in California, Minnesota, Arizona, South Carolina, and Nebraska. She has walked into some tough assignments and handled them with the upmost professionalism and grace. A previous employer said, “As always Kathleen was very reliable and a pleasure to have at the clinics again. She is an excellent practitioner.” Kathy travels with her husband, Al, who also deserves a little recognition! Aureus is lucky to have an employee like Kathy!