Special Edition Spotlight – Welcome Returning Employees

This year, specifically this quarter, we have the fortune of welcoming back 4 employees. We chatted with each of them about their journey moving on from Vital Decisions, what led them back, and the differences they’ve noticed since their return. Below is our Q&A with Katherine Blanchard– Navigator Care Specialist,  Lisa Evans– Navigator Care Specialist, Rachael Socha– Business Development Coordinator, and Michele Grippaldi– Living Well Specialist.

What circumstances once led you to move on from Vital?

When I initially worked as a Specialist at Vital Decisions I suffered the loss of my Mother about six months after being hired. It was difficult to have conversations with clients around end of life care while I was grieving the loss of my own parent. Ultimately, I made the difficult, but right decision at the time to leave the organization.

I always looked back on my time working at Vital Decisions fondly and after 10 years working as a clinician, I was looking to transition my work to a more administrative role. That kind of role wasn’t available within the organization at that time.

What motivations brought you back?

I often I found myself returning to the spirit of Motivational Interviewing in my work with clients. I was inspired by the opportunity to utilize my Motivational Interviewing skills and provide a valuable for recovery treatment referrals with the fledgling Navigator program. It was a natural fit for me and an attractive reason to return back to Vital Decisions.

I always appreciated the culture and the people I worked with. Vital Decisions as a whole and especially those in my same office building, did everything they could to support me through an incredibly rough time and I always hoped that if the right position came around I could one day return to the organization.

Mostly the mission of Vital Decisions. About a year ago my family suffered a huge loss when my father-in-law was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer, which ultimately took his life. Watching my husband have ACP conversations with his father and help guide him through the end of life process reminded me of the importance of Vital Decisions’ work. I was so thrilled at the opportunity to come back and contribute in a new role.

Vital Decisions is a great place to work. It was always my intention to come back. The flexible work environment, tremendous amount of support from staff, and a great mission which I firmly believe in.
 

Do you feel your time away impacted your return and your role? How so?

Experiencing other company cultures made me appreciate what I left behind at Vital Decisions. I missed the commitment to growth, few other companies place growth so highly as a core value as Vital Decisions does.
 

Since leaving Vital Decisions 3 years ago, I was able to expand my clinical skills and also build on my business skills. Most importantly, since leaving Vital, I became a mom, which has put a lot of things in perspective for me in regards to the impact I want to have on the world, as well as my work/life balance.

My time away made me appreciate Vital Decisions even more than I did before. There are a lot of companies out there that are a complete mess in terms of management. I feel at home being back.
 

What stands out as the biggest change at Vital Decisions from when you were here last?

This role allows me to be 100% fully remote! I remember being so enthused when I was able to earn working at least one day from home. Now, I get to do it every shift!

The Living Well Summary is amazing! What a gift to be able to give to clients. Capturing all of the hard work that specialists and clients do during the phone sessions provides such a nice picture for clients as they complete the program.

What are you most looking forward to about your return?

I am looking forward to being a part of the Navigator team, watching our team evolve and grow, and seeing the big picture vision of this new program unfold.
 

I’m looking forward to seeing old faces even virtually, working with an incredible team and just being a part of a culture that focuses on the growth mindset, and inclusivity.
 

So far I have loved working with a new team. It’s great to work with some of my former colleagues (specialists who also moved to the administrative side of things) and also meet and work with new people.
 

I am glad to be working with some of the same colleagues as I did. I like to continue to grow and nurture those relationships. I look forward to contributing to the company and to continue to see it grow.