HealthStar Home Health has some pretty impressive employees with an extraordinary range of skills and backgrounds. From our Nurses and Caregivers in client homes providing one-on-one care, to our team of administrative professionals working “behind the scenes” to make sure operations are running smoothly, HealthStar has quite the team focused on providing the best care possible to our clients.
We’re running out of time to spotlight one of our beloved nurses out of our Duluth office, Camille Murphy. Camille has been with us for 3 years and is retiring this summer. Although we could not be happier for Camille in her next chapter, this will be a tremendous loss for HealthStar! Camille’s ‘can do’ attitude and commitment for advocating for her clients is what makes her an extraordinary nurse. In the 3 years Camille has been with HealthStar, she has tackled COVID swabbing, PCA supervision, HHA training, on-call nursing, and BHH Integration Specialist. You name it, she’s done it! We could not be more proud of Camille and all she has accomplished at HealthStar!
Q: What do you do at HealthStar? What does a typical day look like for you?
A: Multiple Hats worn on a daily basis. I was a PCA QP developing individual health plans and providing PCA supervision; along with being a PCA / HHA trainer (along with the new hire TB testing and HepB vaccine series follow-up); skilled nurse on-call as scheduled; and BHH Integration [of care] Specialist.
As of January, I am an BHH Integration [of care] Specialist with increased marketing efforts allowed by not also having PCA supervision, which has resulted in our BHH clientele doubling since January 2023. I continue to provide PCA / HHA training as requested to help the Cloquet branch HCBS service, and for any HHA hiring needs for the Duluth branch (along with any new hire TB testing and HepB vaccine series follow-up).
Predominantly…regardless of the ‘hat I wore”…I am an advocate for clients and a resource for clients.
Q: Before working at HealthStar, what was the most interesting or unusual job you’ve ever had?
A: I have held many interesting jobs, and have loved them all.
I was the inaugural Parish Nurse for the Diocese of Duluth, it was fun developing a program from the ground up.
My longest tenure was as a Licensed School Nurse for 20 years with Duluth Public Schools. I LOVED advocating for students and was always learning about some medical condition “I had never heard of before”. I continue to be amazed at the number of students dealing with rare diseases and disorders. Developing care plans to bring peace of mind to parents for their students well-being in school was most gratifying…especially for the young / newly diagnosed Diabetics and those with multiple severe food allergies with Epi-pens.
My most unusual job was as a medical missionary with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Port-a-Prince, Haiti.
Q: How has HealthStar helped in your career development?
A: My 3 days per week role at HealthStar was an optimal way to enter ‘pre-retirement’ while continuing to be of nursing service to our community / region, but allowing me to step back from the full-time-plus job of school nursing, especially with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Q: What advice would you have for candidates looking to work at HealthStar?
A: It is rare to move from one job you love…to another that you love equally as much!
But that is precisely what happened when I moved from School Nursing to HealthStar Home Health Nursing. The Duluth Branch Team has a ‘family feel’ and is exceptional in it’s teamwork, collaboration, bridge-building with community networks and over-all client advocacy. Helping people access services to remain in their homes and community has been most gratifying. I would encourage candidates to apply at HealthStar!
Q: What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
A: I earned a karate black belt. My first degree black belt was earned while helping my sons, and later additionally also earned a second degree black belt.
My martial arts journey was as a result of helping my two youngest son’s on their path to obtaining their black belts in their early teens. I was a convenient and accessible ‘training partner’ for them to practice with. I still have fond memories of my middle son (now a 36 yo attorney with US Bank in Mpls) learning to do his hip throw…stating “Cool, I get to throw my Mom!”
I had NO VISIONS of my becoming a black belt…but one thing lead to another, and there I was on the ‘door-step’ with a decision to make…finish it or drop out. Well, I am not a quitter, so I stepped up my training and did something I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD DO. I am presently a Covid drop out of the martial arts…but have confidence that I could remember some self-defense moves if ever needed.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: An airplane pilot! But I was a first generation college graduate at a time when teaching and nursing were two of the only occupations encouraged for women. I loved studying biology and anatomy, so nursing seemed a good fit.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
A: Spend time at my lake home, doing anything on the water!
Q: What is your proudest moment working at HealthStar?
A: Some of our BHH team success stories have been ‘proudest’ moments.
We have helped clients…find housing; obtain dental care (facilitating accommodating severe dental care anxiety – predominantly done by our team SW / SN); understanding complex medical diagnosis and treatment (predominantly done by RN / IS via Release of Info consent to communicate with client’s medical doctors then RN putting all info into everyday language); obtaining medical food shelf assistance; and the list goes on.
Q: What do you like most about your job at HealthStar?
A: I am most grateful to end my career at HealthStar, as I plan to retire as of July 1, 2023. I will be over the mid-60’s hump as of the summer of 2023…so it is time.
But I am anticipatory grieving ! ! ! Alternating between…I don’t want to go….but also…I am looking forward to ‘the next stage in life’. The team that I have had the privilege to work with in Duluth is a group of amazing, talented, motivated professionals…whom I will always hold dear in my heart. The clients that I have had the privilege of serving, have helped me to learn more about the home health side of health care, and are person’s that I will fondly remember long into retirement.
Thank you HealthStar ! ! !
Q: What are 3 things on your bucket list?
A: Enjoy the first of my children’s weddings…youngest son engaged to be wed 2-4-2024.
Travel to Maine, Vermont and Alaska.
Walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago in northwestern Spain.