Why I love my job: Team members across our health system explain why their work comes from the heart
At M Health Fairview, team members make a difference each day for patients, our community, and each other. Our team members are special. No matter whether patients need medication therapy management support, are nervous about getting an MRI, or are facing cardiac arrest, teams and individuals throughout our system are motivated by opportunities to transform patients’ lives. "We may be just one person in this world, but to one person, we may mean the world,” said Chris Mammen, an M Health Fairview MRI technologist.
Read on to learn about four inspiring people from our health system who share why they love their jobs and what makes M Health Fairview special.
Lindsay Trocke, PharmD, Fairview Health Services
Meet Lindsay Trocke, PharmD, a pharmacist on the Medication Therapy Management (MTM) team who joined Fairview Health Services in 2016 and focuses on helping people live life to the fullest. As an MTM pharmacist, Trocke primarily works with individuals battling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), helping them understand their medications correctly, what to expect, and so much more. Patients with IBD who are pregnant or trying to conceive need a higher level of care to manage both the disease and the pregnancy. For those patients, Trocke steps in to provide a greater level of care.
“It is crucial to balance the health of both mother and baby while adjusting immunosuppression during pregnancy,” Trocke said. “Every time we get a picture of a precious baby born to a mom with IBD is a great reminder of why we do the work we do.”
Jamie Perell, RN, Fairview Health Services
Jamie Perell, RN, is the remarkable chief nursing officer at Fairview Range Medical Center, and whose incredible journey reminds us that opportunities are boundless when you're driven by purpose. Perell’s story with Fairview began in 2004 not as a nurse, but as a security guard at Fairview Range. With licensed practical nurse positions in high demand, Jamie decided to get closer to patient care in any way he could. He embraced every opportunity for growth, fueled by his passion for healthcare. After a brief stint away from Fairview, Perell returned, guided by his heart's compass. "Fairview offered the next step in my career. My heart is in the hospital, and it's with the incredible people here. After much reflection, I knew it was time to come home," Perell said.
Chris Mammen, Fairview Health Services
Meet Chris, the lead MRI technologist at M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital. Mammen’s connection with Fairview dates back 32 years when he started in environmental services at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. Being around X-ray machines, CT scanners, and MRI machines ignited a new passion in Mammen. His career trajectory took a turn, and he became a vital part of the radiology team.
In his role, Mammen goes beyond his technical expertise. He helps patients overcome their fears of MRI exams with exceptional communication and listening skills. Mammen beautifully sums up his commitment: "We may be just one person in this world, but to one person, we may mean the world."
Kari Comfort, ECMO specialist, Fairview Health Services
In the world of healthcare, Kari Comfort plays a pivotal role as an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) specialist. ECMO is a life-saving technology that steps in when a patient's heart and lungs are in distress. It circulates and oxygenates blood, acting as a lifeline during critical moments. Comfort reflects on her role with pride: "The work that this institution, and specifically this team, does in the field of ECMO is at the cutting edge of medicine and something I am extremely proud to be involved in." Comfort’s venture with our system began in 2021, after getting prior ECMO experience elsewhere. Beyond her impactful work, Comfort and her husband, Mark, reside in Eagan, where they savor life through various outdoor activities like hiking, golfing, camping, and long walks with their furry friend.
Gabi Rooker, PA, Fairview Health Services
Seven years ago, Gabi Rooker, PA, a physician assistant, joined the internal medicine team at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center taking care of critically ill patients. While the work can be difficult, Rooker remains motivated by the compassion and support she receives from her team every day. “We lift each other up,” Rooker said. “And learn from each other every week we are on service, supporting one another through each of our challenges.”
Rooker doesn’t shy away from challenges outside of work either. Along with her husband Alex, Rooker runs with an elite running team called Raev Endurance. She took third place at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth last year and just recently participated in the Chicago marathon this fall. “I will continue training with a goal of making it to the 2024 Olympics in Paris next summer,” she said.
