| Arnzen
is employee of the month
“Char is an extremely hard working nurse; she is very easy to talk to and is always willing to help with patients.  She
is friendly and dedicated to this facility,” said a co-worker when she
was describing Char Arnzen, the September Employee of the Month for St.
Mary’s Hospital. She went on to say, “Char is a compassionate nurse,
is always courteous to her fellow workers, she never complains and is truly
a joy to work with.”
For the past six years Char has worked with Dr. Jeremy Ostrander in the Cottonwood and Grangeville clinics; and has just recently begun working with Dr. Jared Pikus who joined the SMH Medical Staff in August. Char also assists Dr. Yokel, tele-dermatologist. “I knew this profession was for me when I was helping my mother and her family take care of my grandmother in her last months of life,” said Char. “I started as a CNA in Home Health, then as a Medical Assistant in the clinic. With the encouragement of my family and co-workers I went to college at Walla Walla and received my RN degree in 2005.” Some of Char’s many duties as a clinic nurse include; assessing patient’s concerns, referring patients to specialists, refilling medications, giving injections and immunizations, assisting the physicians with procedures, triaging patient phone calls and one of her newest duties is making the monthly physician-nurse schedules for the five SMH clinics. “What I like most about my job is the gratification of being in a profession where I can help patients with their health care needs and maybe make a difference in their life,” commented Char. Char’s many hobbies include; salmon fishing, jet boating, camping on the river and hunting elk. “But I have to say my first and foremost hobby is spending time with my four month old grandson, Lane,” said Char. Her family includes her husband Brad of 33 years, daughter Katie Marek her husband bill, daughter Maggie Pottala her husband Carl, son Rusty and of course her new grandson Lane Pottala. |
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