From a personal level my father in-law had a stroke in the last year and it appeared that he would not be able to fully care for himself and would need to go into a nursing home. As it turns out, with the help a very dedicated Occupational Therapy staff at the hospital and several months of intense therapy he was able to go home. Knowing how my father-in-law is this probably extended his life. He is very independent and I’m not sure how he would have reacted to being in a home. I think you would be hard pressed to find someone whose life has not been touched by an Occupational Therapist or an Assistant. So if you have the chance, please stop and take the time to say thanks.

We salute all of our Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapist Assistants!

Bill Halloran, Branch Manager - Rehab Therapy

Bill Halloran has worked for Aureus Medical for almost five years. He started out as an Account Manager in the Rehab Therapy division. He has also worked as a Team Lead, before becoming a branch manager of Rehab Therapy. Bill and his wife, Jana, have two kids: Jordan (16) and Emily (11). He enjoys playing volleyball (sand and court) in his spare time. He is also currently training for his first triathlon.

I loved it – feeding people and being extremely busy. No two days were alike. Change was the norm.  Very similar to the health care industry, the restaurant doesn’t stop because someone is sick or showed up late.  People want to be served when the sign on the door says “open.”  However, unlike the health care industry, we didn’t save lives. But the thrill of the shift is like working in the ER – never a dull moment! When it’s slow you take a breath and prepare yourself for the next wave. 

While I loved the restaurant industry, it wasn’t ideal for raising my family. I looked for my next profession and landed at Aureus as a recruiter.  

I was nervous and wondering if I be able to sit at a desk all day. Would I be able to connect with people over the phone like I did in the restaurant business?  After 5 years (and several pounds) the answer is yes, I can sit at a desk all day and I can make connections with people without ever meeting them in person. 

I find that this job provides some of the same thrills when I help people by finding that right job for my new friend, or letting that same person know what to expect when they get to a assignment, or telling someone that this will be the best place they’ve ever worked and being right. 

Every day there is something new. Today’s biggest change is the economy. We all feel it. Hospitals are running short staffed and travel jobs aren’t as easy to find.  Facilities that would have taken a traveler last year are only looking at full-time employees this year.   Facilities almost have to be 3 or 4 short to bring in a traveler.   Everyone is suffering – hospital staffs are being overworked, managers are stressed, and travelers are wondering where all of the assignments have gone.  

The bright spot is this, like everything, will change. As travelers you have the opportunity to change more than any of your peers. By visiting different hospitals and locations you can learn new skills. Not only do you get to experience the normal daily change that any health care provider would see, but you get to see it 10-fold. 

At times I envy your life. Being able to pick up and move at a moments notice and see the country while still earning a paycheck is quite amazing. To know that you made a difference not just in your community but in multiple communities and hospitals is so rewarding. Change happens to everyone. As a traveler you have embraced this and made it a part of your life. The rest of us just live vicariously through your stories, travels, pictures, and post cards.  Wishing it could be us. 

David Adcock, Team Lead-Diagnostic Imaging

David Adcock has worked for Aureus Medical for almost five years. He started as an Account Manager in the Diagnostic Imaging division and worked his way up to a Team Lead, overseeing the California branch. Prior to Aureus, David worked in the restaurant industry for 21 years, working in restaurants such as Sodexo Food Service, Red Robin, and Old Chicago. He and his wife, Cathy, have three children, Isabelle (12), Charles (10), and Michael (6).

Richard Kousgaard, Aureus Nursing

Kousgaard, whom I have worked alongside for three years has finally kicked the habit. He quit smoking cold turkey two months ago and already has reaped the benefits in this short period of time. Richard  has seen his doctor and has found that he lowered his blood pressure, his cholesterol, and has lessened his chance for heart disease and stroke.  He has also become more active and has joined a gym near the office and goes almost daily.  He feels much more energized and healthy already. Another added benefit is that he, his car, and his apartment all smell better – less smokey. Richard pointed out that he can actually taste food the way it is supposed to taste.  He doesn’t have to put a lot of salt on everything since he has his taste back.  Richard is feeling great and is very happy with his new smoke free lifestyle. 

In response to health concerns, many businesses and entertainment venues have gone 100% smoke free. There are some employers that are even looking at taking a bigger step and aren’t going to employ smokers. Check out this link about a hospital that plans on doing this.

I know it is a huge challenge to kick the habit of smoking. Click here for a four-step plan to quit smoking featured on Good Morning America. Good luck!

Dan Beller, Team Lead, Aureus Nursing

Dan Beller has been with Aureus Medical Group for over five years. He is currently a Team Leader for the Great Lakes branch in the Nursing division. Dan is originally from Columbus, NE. He likes to describe himself as a “6′ 3”, 195 pound stud who can run fast, lift a lot of weight, and has an IQ through the roof.” However, he knows others may not exactly see him that way. He is also very happy to see Richard kick the habit and began to mold and shape himself into a healthy and fit individual.

• Don’t use coworkers as therapists.
• If you borrow it, return it. If you borrow it more than twice, get your own.
• If you have a problem with someone, talk to THEM about it, not everyone else in the office.
• Focus on YOUR work, not what other people are doing. Supervising output is your boss’s job. The only exception is when someone else’s low productivity is affecting your own.
• Understand the limits of your authority. Don’t overstep your boundaries.

These tips should help maximize our relationships at work and make it more enjoyable for everyone. Good relationships can make or break your assignment!

• Have your bedroom light turn on a half hour before your alarm clock.  Plugging a bright, fluorescent lamp into a timer and having it turn on before you are supposed to get up will help simulate an artificial dawn.
• Get up early, open the curtains or go outside.  Maximize your exposure to sunlight.
• Exercise!  One hour of exercise outside can be extremely therapeutic. It will raise your serotonin levels, which tend to get low in the winter.
• Control your cravings.  Your body tends to crave foods high in carbohydrates when your serotonin levels get low. Don’t let those cravings go straight to your hips!
• Take a multivitamin with vitamin D-3 daily.  This will help increase your energy level if you are feeling sluggish.
• Embrace winter! Take up a winter activity – cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, hockey, sledding, or winter photography. These are all great ways to enjoy winter. 

Hopefully soon, the cold and snow will be a distant memory. The end of the long winter is in sight and spring is just around the corner!

Aureus can help you with that! We can assist you with the financial means to increase your education.  Aureus currently offers one of the highest tuition reimbursements in the industry when it comes to tuition towards furthering your career in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or Healthcare Education.

Why do we do this?

1. We are working to do our part to help reduce the healthcare shortage, particularly in the area of Nursing.
2. We want to invest in our employees, giving them the opportunity to better themselves and enhance their careers.
3. We feel that this will help our employees and client companies achieve their goals. 

So whether you are a current employee or considering employment with Aureus Medical Group, there are a couple ways that you can learn more about this excellent benefit.  Please contact your recruiter or account manager for more details or visit the Live & Learn section of our website today!

Jim Hall, Branch Manager - Aureus Nursing

Jim Hall joined Aureus Medical Group in the Nursing division in March 2002 and since then has worked his way up from Account Manager to Team Leader and to his current position as Branch Manager.  Mr. Hall manages a team of Account Managers who are responsible for all aspects of sales, recruitment, customer service and quality assurance for Midwest region of the United States.  Prior to joining Aureus, Mr. Hall attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha in Business Administration and Marketing while working for three years as an Executive Search consultant recruiting banking executives.

1)      M*A*S*H

2)      ER

3)      Nurse Jackie

4)      St. Elsewhere

5)      Grey’s Anatomy

6)      House