I moved to Cook County just about 10 years ago exactly. My partner at the time had landed a job at the Grand Marais Art Colony. I had only ever been as far north as Duluth, but Grand Marais was an easy sell - I remember looking at the Angry Trout and Voyageur Brewing Company websites and from the pictures alone, I knew this would be a good place to live. I grew up in Winona, MN, went to college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and then spent a few years in the North Cascades of Washington State at a Lutheran retreat center called Holden Village.  I knew many people from Holden that had ties to Grand Marais and the Gunflint trail. Coming from such a remote part of Washington, the idea of living in a bigger city seemed daunting, so Grand Marais felt like the perfect place to land after that experience.

 

Although we have great staff retention at SMC, we continue to grow and are always excited to talk to those interested in joining our team at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic! We pride ourselves in creating a welcoming, safe, and fun culture for our employees. We strive to build and maintain a workplace that embodies our core value/tagline "Together Through Life" not just for patients, but for employees too. We value the whole person, acknowledging and supporting our employees in all aspects of life beyond work.  My coworkers feel like a big extended family, quirks (lots of them) and all.

Open positions can be found on our website and posted on the Boreal Classified Ads. Applications are available as a pdf on our website or available at the front desk of the Clinic. We will be launching a new online application process hopefully by the fall on our website.

Open positions currently include: a Physician, a Behavioral Health Counselor (LICSW, LMFT, or LPCC), and multiple openings on our Care Team - This can mean LPNs, Medical Assistants, or those interested in a Medical Assistant Apprentice Program. The apprenticeship program requires no prior medical experience and is a great opportunity for someone looking for a change of career, a young person looking to learn more about health care, or anyone interested in learning new things! This role is responsible for rooming patients, taking vitals, updating the medication list, giving immunizations, preparing the room for the provider's exam, and helping providers with procedures.  Additional coursework, instruction, and materials are free for the apprentice. After completing a yearlong program, the apprentice can take the certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant. Apprentices are paid for hours worked and are eligible for a full benefits package starting on the first day of the apprenticeship. Applicants can also reach out to [email protected] for more information as well. 

In the BWCA or anywhere where I can chill in a hammock, play in the water, or sit around a campfire bantering and eating glizzies with my friends. 

 

No. I have regrets, but I am grateful for where I am and what I have right now — I wouldn't want to mess with the timeline that got me here. But if it didn't change anything currently, I wish I wouldn't have quit playing basketball in high school and traveled abroad in college.

I think living here means being okay with people being up in your business - for better or for worse. We care about our neighbors so much and have such a strong community of support. And sometimes that means we know all the messy parts of people too. You have to be ready to embrace all of that, both sides of the extremes. Like with the weather, you get used to the cold winters which helps you appreciate a summer where 70 degrees feels hot! We are hardy and resourceful people. It takes longer to travel anywhere, but we have the wilderness in our backyard. That seems like a decent trade off! 

 

My chocolate lab, who was rescued 4 years ago, came with the name, "Rosie Jean," coincidentally sharing parts of her name with both my grandmas, Rosie and Jean!

 

Boreal Community Media has been featuring the"Meet your Cook County Neighbor" series for several years now.  If you enjoy reading these and would like to nominate someone to be featured, please send us an email to [email protected]