Hello from Minneapolis!
This summer, I have the excellent opportunity to spend time at Allina Health as one of the organization’s Administrative Residents! Allina Health is based in Minneapolis, MN, but has 13 hospital campuses, over 60 primary care clinics, and over 100 specialty clinics in the Twin Cities and beyond. Allina Health delivers exceptional care everyday and is consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as having the top hospitals in the Twin Cities and Minnesota. My 12 weeks with Allina Health are being spent specifically with the Continuing Care service line which includes hospice, palliative care, home health, rehabilitation services (inpatient and outpatient), senior care, community services, and more. Basically, any service needed after an acute care event, Continuing Care provides it! We have one of the top rehabilitation institutes in the nation, so seeing the level of care we provide has been so inspiring. I am very lucky to work alongside the leaders of Continuing Care in my day-to-day work, especially Rod Plunkett, who is VP and my executive sponsor, and Erika Schuld, Director of Post-Acute Services and my preceptor. Erika and Rod have provided me with numerous opportunities to get involved in projects that will have a large impact on Continuing Care and the patients that we serve.
My large project for the summer is focusing on the consolidation of two inpatient rehabilitation units (IPRUs) into one at our largest hospital. IPRUs serve primarily patients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, or have had a stroke. Patients stay for about 15 days or more and must be able to tolerate 3-4 hours of therapy five to six days a week. The first half of my summer was spent working on the business narrative for the capital request of the IPRU consolidation. I led an interdisciplinary team with my VP to write, revise, and finalize the business narrative for the capital request. The rest of my summer will be spent planning the operational rollout for the expansion project. This includes design planning, deciding floor by floor staffing by patient diagnosis, equipment purchasing, and more. I am really looking forward to working on the strategy component of this project while we wait for board approval for the capital request. Other projects I have focused on include researching, evaluating, and recommending various EHR products for fitness and recreation programs and leading Continuing Care Innovation & Strategy meetings.
The view from where I work. All patient rooms are surrounded by nature to promote rest and healing.
Beyond project work, the Allina Health summer residency program has a strong emphasis on experiential learning and shadowing. All the residents get together every week to go to lunch & learns where we meet with top leaders across the organization. We’ve learned about everything from security and business continuity to safety and quality. Additionally, we are free to explore the service lines we are in. I’ve spent time at our hospice home, on our inpatient rehab unit, at our transitional rehab program (a very intense SNF), outpatient therapies for those with disabilities, and more!
In my free time, I have enjoyed exploring everything the Twin Cities has to offer with my friends. From cafes and happy hours to beautiful walking trails and shopping, there is always something to do! I highly recommend The Freehouse or Cabana Club if you are looking for a great place to eat in the area. During the rest of my summer here, I am looking forward to further exploring the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin, going to Twins games, golfing, a Lord Huron concert, and attending community events.
I live right by the Mississippi and love to walk alongside it!
This summer has flown by, and I can’t believe I will be back in Iowa City in less than two months. I have met so many wonderful people and been part of numerous experiences that have made my time at Allina Health so meaningful. Every day I get to be part of a caring and compassionate team which has only strengthened my passion for working with those who have disabilities or rehabilitation needs. I am looking forward to using what I’ve learned this summer in Continuing Care throughout the next year as a GA for the Center for Disabilities and Development, as a student, and as a LEND trainee!
Weekly happy hours with my co-resident, Olivia!
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