In 2020, Hannah Street, a local Crookston resident turned college student, knew that healthcare was her future, but wasn’t sure exactly what that looked like. “It was my first year of college, working towards my undergrad degree with a BS in Health and Medical Science, when I connected with Marcie Haugen, who was the Director of Laundry Services at Benedictine Living Community-Crookston, and there was a job opening. That important job tending to laundry not only helped fund my education, but led me down the pathway to discovering my career future,” stated Hannah.
Benedictine Living Community-Crookston is a Senior Living Campus located at 516 Walsh Street in Crookston.
“I discovered I really enjoyed being around the residents and hearing their stories. Being with my Grandma’s Mary Lessard and Sherry Nitschke while growing up must have grounded my love for older adults, so many great memories!” She added, “It wasn’t long after shadowing therapists at Essentia in Fargo, Riverview Health in Crookston, and Madison Tate, OTA, and the other OT’s and PT’s at BLC that I knew Occupational Therapy was my calling.”
Executive Director Lindsey Erdman noted, “Hannah’s UND Doctoral Capstone experience was positive not only for Hannah as she worked through the extensive field work required getting her Doctorate as an Occupational Therapist, but her collaboration with the team produced an inspiring engagement toolkit for all our senior care service lines, from the assisted living in the Summit, to Memory Care.”
Erdman added, “Everything fell into place when Hannah officially graduated and nailed her OT Boards. We were happy to offer our very own Hannah, who grew up near here and was already a part of our exceptional laundry crew, a position in our Benedictine Therapy Department. She continues to deeply inspire and make a difference for her team, and those we are so honored to serve.”
