Welcome to Cook County and North Shore Health!  You moved here from Colorado.  How long have you been here?   What drew you to Cook County?

My wife, Linda, and I bought Devil Track Lake Cabins in 2019. We ran across the cabins by accident and fell in love with the area. We had never been to MN until then. This is our 3rd summer running the cabins. Normally, I help open and close the cabins but would return to CO to work while Linda ran them during the summer. We hated being apart for such a long period of time so every year we explored moving here full-time. We were blessed this year, and I was able to find a position at North Shore Health. I am excited to be a part of this wonderful community.

The million-dollar question - Were you able to secure housing here in Cook County, known for a drastic housing shortage? 

Housing in Cook County is so hard to find. My wife was diligent at looking for housing. We were lucky to find a home in Lutsen at exactly the time we need it. As it is for a lot of people, I would not have been able to take the position here at North Shore Health if we had not found a place for our family. 

How are things going at work?  Was it a big change coming to work for an organization that is so remote? 

Work is going very well. The staff at North Shore Health is fantastic. They have welcomed me and made me feel a part of the family here. Being The Director of Nursing is a big change for me. I have been a nurse for 25 years. Most of that time was spent in an operating room. I have done some management and teaching along the way. 

What drew you into nursing?

After my mother-in-law died, I became interested in nursing. Nursing is such a wonderful field. There are many different areas to apply your expertise. You could say there is something for everyone. COVID had truly shine a light on the importance of nurses. 

Do you wish to share anything about your family with Boreal readers? 

My wife, Linda, and I have been married for 36 years. We began dating my last year of high school. We have 3 children. Brandon, our oldest, works at Buck’s. If you stop in say hello. Thomas is 20 and Shoshana is 17. We love spending time together watching movies and playing board games. It is just about time to start watching scary movies for Halloween.

Cook County offers so many activities, no matter what the season.  What season are you looking forward to the most living here in Cook County?

In the past, we have spent all our time running the cabins. We have never taken much time to enjoy what Cook County has to offer. Linda and I are so looking forward to exploring the activities of each season here. Maybe next year we will have a favorite. Right now, the fall leaves are spectacular. I’m excited to see what winter has to offer my family. 

What do you like to do to unwind and relax when you are not working?  How do you avoid burn-out during this ongoing pandemic? 

When I am not working, I love spending time with my family. Right now, we are trying to get settled into our new home. We have made a few friends here, and we look forward to having people over for dinner. I have been very lucky during the pandemic. I was able to keep working in CO, and that kept me from feeling isolated like so many other people have suffered. COVID was a challenging time, and I am grateful that my family kept me grounded. 

Any words of wisdom for anyone considering a career in the medical field?

 I would encourage anyone interested in a career in the medical field. It is wide open and offers opportunities in almost any area someone might have an interest - everything from IT to hospice care. Whether you want to go to school for a short amount of time or for years, there is a healthcare option. It’s a wonderful way to support a family and serve your community. Don’t let the pandemic scare you away from medicine. We have learned a lot about caring for our communities and ourselves. I’m proud to be part of a profession that has shown itself to be strong and capable during this crazy time. I would be happy to speak to anyone considering nursing as a profession, and North Shore Health has many opportunities to learn and grow if someone is motivated and wants explore medicine.