Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Thu, 7/22 10:18AM
36:02
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
kyrgyzstan, heart, isaac, human, augsburg, god, lives, people, life, human beings, minneapolis, fact,
commons, suffering, began, health, reaches, continue, minnesota, pandemic
SPEAKERS
Isaac Tadé, Aksana M
... Show more
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Thu, 7/22 10:18AM
36:02
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
kyrgyzstan, heart, isaac, human, augsburg, god, lives, people, life, human beings, minneapolis, fact,
commons, suffering, began, health, reaches, continue, minnesota, pandemic
SPEAKERS
Isaac Tadé, Aksana M
I
Isaac Tadé 00:02
Thank you for joining us today for this oral history project for the Augsburg University
Central Health Commons. My name is Isaac Tadé. I'm a student intern with Augsburg
Central Health Commons. Could you please introduce yourself for the recording?
A
Aksana M
00:17
Thank you. My name is Aksana Muratalieva. And I am a native for Kyrgyzstan, born on
March 26 1973, in the capital city formerly known as Frunze, and currently Bishkek, which
is the capital of a beautiful, mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan.
I
Isaac Tadé 00:45
Okay, thank you. And before we continue, I would just like to confirm that you consent to
being interviewed and having this interview stored at Augsburg University, which will be
used and available to the public.
A
Aksana M
00:59
I am absolutely honored and delighted to be a part of this auspicious opportunity, which is
with the Augsburg University Central Health Commons program. Thank you.
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 1 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 01:14
Thank you. Okay, let's get into it. So can you tell me where you grew up and who you call
family.
A
Aksana M
01:22
As I had mentioned earlier, I was born on March 26 1973, which makes me as of today of
48 years of age. I was born in my mother says I was born in a small village of shoberg at
the outskirts of my country, Kyrgyzstan. And in fact, I was born as a premature baby over
seven months old, whom doctors kind of proclaimed that I wouldn't survive, but here I am,
fourty eight years older. So and I grew up and matured, which means I got my high school
education then my university degree in English language and literature at the Kyrgyz
State National University in the capital city of Bishkek. So and then later at the age when
I was 27 years old, that makes it September 2000. That's when I got an admission to the
program in Human Resource Development at the University of Minnesota here in
Minneapolis. And my family, my mother Canalabou and my father Jyaumprsho. So they
are very senior age right now. My father is 79 years old and my mother is 69 years old. So
me and my son have just returned from our international trip to Kyrgyzstan, and stayed
there for two months. So my family are my mom and dad, they're in good health. Thank
you God. And I do have an older sister, Inyerha, two years older than I am then I'm the
second one. After me I have two younger brothers, Azad and Bauckut. One of them is up
here in the United States, lives this assembly in Burnsville, the state of Minnesota and my
younger brother Bauckut, who is 43 years old. Right now him and his family and children
they live in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan.
I
Isaac Tadé 03:40
Okay, thank you for sharing. Um, could you tell me about how you got involved with Street
Voices of Change?
A
Aksana M
03:49
All thank you I so I believe that it is truly a hand of Almighty God. I'm really beginning to
delve into is our Almighty creator. And every human being in fact, is created in his likeness
and image. So I am honored to have met a very distinguished gentleman. His name is
Paul and I met him about a week ago at the seven a.m daily mass, Monday through
Friday at the Basilica of St. Mary. And we began to speak about the social issues and he
wholeheartedly invited me to this remarkable meeting this morning, every Thursday at
8:30am with hot breakfast served, of the Street Voices of Change. And here I am a week
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 2 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
after the whole credit I owe entirely to of course God and he is using Paul as his mighty
and very active hand in bringing People whose hearts are on you know, painful with the,
you know, devastation the whole humanity of the earth is going through right now. So
God is using Paul and right now meeting remarkable gentle men Isaac yourself. And here I
am being interviewed for to the remains in the history of humanity.
I
Isaac Tadé 05:23
I'm so glad you're a part of this history. Thank you. And will you be coming back to Street
Voices of Change?
A
Aksana M
05:29
Absolutely.
I
Isaac Tadé 05:30
We will be seeing more of you at Health Commons?
A
Aksana M
05:32
Every meeting, I just will have to excuse myself because I just booked an airline ticket for
my 12 year old son and myself. So we are flying God willing, of course, this coming Sunday,
July 25. The 21, two from Minneapolis to Las Vegas, we are our family, the Deloris' and our
cousins, Robin and Jacquelene. Are patiently waiting on us to join and we all are going
camping. To lake Sacco and Yosemite Park and all those places. And after that, about two
weeks planned for, we will come back and this will be the first you know, breakfast
meeting, I will be jump right in from the airplane.
I
Isaac Tadé 06:20
Okay. Well, we'll be excited to see you back then. So to switch the topic a little bit, I'd like
to ask you, what did life look like for you before the pandemic, and what is different for
you now, because of COVID-19.
A
Aksana M
06:36
Thank you, Isaac, this is quite heavy for the heart. And for the mind subject. Speaking for
myself, I am the kind of person who does count the blessings. But then, last year, the
whole world turned upside down. We, including myself and my son, we have been locked
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 3 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
in into a tight environment of our beautiful, of course blessed, you know, one bedroom
apartment with the windows overlooking, you know, the Basilica of St. Mary. But due to
strict guidelines, and, you know, desire to keep ourselves safe and good health, and our
neighbors we live on fifth floor of the historical building, right here in the heart of
Minneapolis. We had to you know, follow those two guidelines, which I truly understand
and support. So, then how lives that were around me, I mean, the human beings whom I
connected to, they just began to be taken the Coronavirus, was in a merciless began to
claim the illness began to claim the lives of the people next to us. And my heart is beating
in agony, agony as we speak. I am in fact, really blessed to be alive. And moreover, to be
in good health. So being a human being with breathing, you know, beating heart over
time, I think and meditate upon many, many things, and I questioned God. Why did you
keep me alive? And why are you keeping me alive? And I'm still trying to find the answer
to this question. I even checked out the books from the Central Public Library in
downtown Minneapolis about you know, God checked out a few books with the title is The
Mind of God, the mind of God and the purpose of life and I read a lot I am just fortunate
and I do know that my life is fragile as well. You know, I'm no different from anyone and
any moment you know any thing can stop me anytime and in my language in Kyrgyzstan,
we say that you know the extent and the illness they come uninvited. So my life personally
turned upside down. And if I'm still breathing and in this physical body, I believe that
Almighty God does have a purpose for me and this is when I began to really search the
answers for the purpose of my life. And then, you know, mighty God, I'm so grateful that
I'm alive right now. I mean, me and my son in terms of his COVID we were blessed to take
our trip to visit my father, and my mother and Kyrgyzstan we are back 10 days ago from
our two months, stay in Kyrgyzstan. And during this time, you know, I, as many 1000s, and
millions of fellow beings, I did lose my good job. My last job was a security I was the
security officer for the statewide protective agency was the headquarters in Brooklyn
center. And I had to, you know, let my job go. So for the concerns of COVID, because I'm a
single parent of a 12 year old, I was honestly afraid. So but then, you know, I'm so grateful
to the government of the United States to the government of the state of Minnesota and
the governor. So I had, I was forced by the circumstances of the income to apply for the
Minnesota unemployment insurance, for which I was instantly approved online. And, you
know, I'm so blessed, I was able to collect those benefits in home country of Kyrgyzstan,
we don't have the stimulus checks. We don't have the, you know, the unemployment
benefits. In fact, the government of Kyrgyzstan went on a vacation last year as of summer,
leaving the entire nation of 6 million people when or for their own survival. And I'm
eternally grateful, it puzzles me, you know, this whole worldwide pandemia. It makes me
think it makes me not to take my personal frivolously. And I want to be of help. And I want
to be hand of mighty God in helping, you know, and I believe this, the hand of God has
brought me to this program called Street Voices of Change.
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 4 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 12:33
Well, that's so beautiful, thank you for sharing your story, and for sharing your struggle
through the pandemic and the things that you saw during the pandemic, have obviously
impacted you deeply, and maybe even certainly on a spiritual level. And that, would you
say is how your outlook has been changed on life? You sound incredibly grateful.
A
Aksana M
13:00
I am, I am, I am. I am beyond the feeling the human feel sentimental feeling of
gratefulness. I am beyond grateful. And I am willing to find the answer why God is has
decided not willingly to give me because I do believe that the time that the piece of time
that we humans have really created was our rush is our try to catch up on things and
trying to collect the items. So my heart is in a different place right now. I don't anymore,
secure my, you know, my riches and the properties and in last year, I began to enjoy this
antique to a person do their China sets and the silver and the gold. I am blessed with all
everything that I own. But now my heart is not there. I my heart. You know, I stole my
church is in heaven. And, in fact, with the benefits that I was able to, I was generously
given by the government of the state of Minnesota. While my trip to Kyrgyzstan, I was
able to help my own family, as many believe millions of fellow immigrants are in the
United States. I did send money for money ground. And in fact, my family's doing
construction right now. So I was with those benefits, because the dollar value was the ratio
of $1 equaling 84 soms on the local currency. It stretches far. So I was I thank, the
government of the U.S you know, that money paid for the craftsmen that we have hired to
expand the property that we have in the countryside, close to the mountains closer to
nature, we're able to buy the construction materials we're able to buy the food, my mom
was cooking three times meals. And I was even able to use that money for charity,
because there's so much pain and suffering, you know, people in wheelchairs, people are
starving people hungry. So I was able to give the money from that, because currently, you
know, I'm not employed. And that's the fact. So yeah, it's, it's the fact. Thank you. Yeah,
I
Isaac Tadé 15:42
thank you for sharing. So moving on here in the summer of 2020, the movement against
systemic racism had Minneapolis at its Epicenter, with the murder of George Floyd, can
you describe your experience living in the Minneapolis St. Paul area during this time?
A
Aksana M
16:02
Thank you, Isaac. My 12 year old son, chemiluminescent, and myself, we resides in the
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 5 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
heart of Minneapolis city, right at 230 Oak Grove Street and historical building on the fifth
floor. And we were we are in fact, we still reside there. Live in the epicenter. So first and
foremost, my heart in agony, and mourning goes out to reach the suffering and the agony
that the family of George Floyd has been going through and still going through. We all
entire humanity, are connected. And however much we try to, you know, resist on that the
whole humanity, we are one we are connected. So, in my heart, I express my very sincere,
deep condolences to the family of a fellow human being, George Floyd, who, due to the
unfortunate circumstances, you know, lost his life? And I have no answer for this because
I'm a mortal, sinful human being as everyone else. So is everyone in my family, and I have
no answer. why it happened? I have no answer as a human being as a mortal human
being why it had to happen. And my heart reaches is out to his family, to his parents, if
they're listening to this, go out to his, you know, loved ones, to those people who have
known him and loved him. And I believe that he is soul and spirit are in the place in
heaven where they say there is no suffering anymore. My heart at the same time, which is
out to the family of the policemen, you know, it happened, so, and his family is suffering
as well, he himseself is suffering. So, in fact, the whole humanity is suffering and we should
stop denying that it has happened to someone else it has happened. And it may happen
to any single one of us. No one is exempt of pain and suffering. Yeah. So, and during the
riots and everything, you know, which I understand. So, we people were also prior to that
locked up in four walls and you know, when we are being locked up and close environment
with not going outside. We have to release our energy and our energy, anger elsewhere.
And so it happened, you know, my heart is in pain right now. You know, I mean, it's right
now there's also reconstruction repairing going on, but I saw lots of burning and breaking
and you know, it's and I understand I connect to and I don't want to blame anyone for any
of the emotions which had to be poured out. And many times in destructive way because
we all are humans. Yeah. And I'm not an exempt to this. So I saw the troops being pulled in
the city. So the man my son was so anxious about this, he'll say, Mom, I'm looking at the
military man in uniforms and holding the guns and in my heart reaches out to those
soldier men who have their own families as well. And my heart reaches out to policemen
to nurses, and to the doctors who many of them have lost their lives and sacrifice their
lives and you know, expose themselves to the risk of the Coronavirus, who live on the fifth
floor. And there is no other day and night which go by where we don't hear the sirens. And
for me that every siren was an ear is the cry of entire humanity for help. Help Help. So we
need to stop closing our eyes and saying this is not my pain. No, because everyone driving
that, you know, the ambulance car, the police car, they have mothers, they have fathers,
they have children, they have wives, there have husbands who are you know, waiting on
them in their homes, and they may not come back. So every time you know, I will hear
that in my heart in my heart, I would cry and I'm still crying. That's why when they use this
body, this physical body and my mind to benefit if there's anything I can help with what I
am, so I'm here.
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 6 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 21:17
Yes. Thank you. Okay. Okay. Yeah, thank you for sharing all of that. I know, it was a very
tumultuous time, it continues to be a tumultuous time, some of the things that were
happening before just maybe exposed more. So I would ask you, I would like to ask you. If
there's anything else that you want people to know, or remember, like, let's say 30 years
from now, about your experience, or other people's experiences, who may not have
experienced homelessness during this time period. What would, what's your message to
send to them?
A
Aksana M
22:05
I'm 48 years old right now. 30 years, forward, forward. I'm God willing, I'm here and
working on my two feet. Hopefully, I don't know because, you know, I mean, every step
could be the last step. Every breath could be the last one. And in fact, this is the
worldwide pandamia which made me and still make the think on this because the Bible
says, tomorrow is not promised, as my next step is not promised as my next breath is as
promised, as my next eyesight is not promised. So reaching out to someone who would be
possibly maybe winning their ear to what I'm saying. I have actually tears filling up my
eyes right now. Remember, life, human life is sacred. The word of the of God the living
word of God, Holy Bible. Stay, stick to it. I'm trying to honor my every movement with the
precept each precept of the Word of God and hold the Bible. God says Be still and know
that I am God not as human beings. Do not rush, no point. Do not collect all this you know
worthless belongings. Um, I was reading a couple days ago Eclesiastes everything is
meaningless. While you're looking forward to it, collecting the treasures like materialistic
treasures, you know this that cars and the houses and belongings and the clothes when
I'm gone, I won't be able to take any one of this. Of dusty we come and to dust we shall
return. Yes. So I want the and I'm not an exception. I'm a mortal human being would
vanish physically from the face of this earth and life will continue going on. And there is a
saying in the punny shots. "There is a bridge between time and eternity. neither death nor
pain, nor day and night can cross that." And that bridge is the spirit of man. So hopefully
what I'm seeing right now in spirit will reach out the listening ear. So remember, human life
is sacred, and you're life does count. So, remember, blessings, do crown the head of the
righteous. So keep your head, your chin up. And when due to career or accomplishments,
even they are meaningless. They vanish as you know everything else in this life.
Remember, keep your feet on the ground, you may keep your dreams and ideas and
thoughts you know up, but when you're up there, always remember there is so much
suffering down there, keep your feet firmly on the ground and follow I would say obey the
commands the presets which are clearly depicted engraved in Holy Bible only. Thank you,
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 7 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 26:04
thank you. Thank you so much. Um, just a few final questions geared towards health what
would you say that you need for health as you define it
A
Aksana M
26:20
5000 years ago, Hippocrates who is considered to be the father of the medicine did did
say let your food medicine let thy foot wet their medicine lets your medicine be thy food.
So, physically we are what we eat. And in fact I have just shared the whole heartshaped
container. Of have a very healthy I would say you know, natural anti COVID anti
Coronavirus vaccine which has three of the most powerful God nature create ingredients.
The first ingredient is the raw ginger root which your grind you know, I did this this
morning I chose 6am in the morning grounded in the manual grinder took me a while.
Number two ingredient is raw honey and the honey I put was actually the mountains
honey of Kyrgyzstan my native land. Third ingredient was the limes. Fresh squeezed lime
juice. Every single one of them is a very important antiviral, anti infectious antibacterial,
antioxidant. And you can imagine the word those three together do so in the morning
empty stomach, one tablespoon full. And I myself eat ginger odors you know as bread. So,
yeah, nutrition is the bridge to good health, nutrition. And of course starts with rightful
and righteous thinking you are on a mental and psychological emotional level. You are
what you think you are. In fact your mind does shape your reality.
I
Isaac Tadé 28:30
Beautiful. So, so insightful. Everything that you have to say and, and I so appreciate your
your input on health. Continuing that. What would you what feedback would you have for
the staff here at Central health commons? I know this is only your first day here. But from
your experience so far, is there anything that we can work on? What could be better? Is
anything missing?
A
Aksana M
29:01
Thank you, Isaac. This morning, the mighty hand of God has brought me to be introduced
to this auspicious remarkable and unique program at Augsburg central health commons.
Forgive my ignorance I didn't know about this program and truly, you know learning to be
a medicine woman excited looking forward to know more in depth about your integrative
program and hopefully to be involved with your you know, current and forthcoming
projects. So as a fellow simple human being the you know, sensitive resident of the City of
Minneapolis I will be honored if there is any input of my experience, knowledge, I mean, I, I
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 8 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
am a world wide traveler. So, I mean the cultural input the knowledge input, the
experiential, the historical the snake, I mean, I mean, I am well, I am, so I'll be very
fortunate, and they will consider that as unique and auspicious and one of a kind
opportunity to get to know more about your background isaac, about the background of
the people who run this program, and I am fully supportive of your health problems of the
Augsburg department, thank you, college.
I
Isaac Tadé 30:43
thank you, it's, we're so thankful that you're here. Is there anything else you'd like to say
before we finish today,
A
Aksana M
30:56
life is beautiful. Life is sacred. Life is a journey of mind, body, and spirit. And we, as human
beings, I truly, truly beginning to believe in my heart that God did create, every single one
of us down to the, you know, little piece of hair on top of our head, for His glory and
purpose. And if he did create us in his own likeness and image because there is no other
species on the face of the evolutionary Earth, and universe which resembles even tibbett
to the human being, I mean, we are so complex, we are the matrix of the feelings and
sentiments, emotions and the I mean, it's just phantasmagoric what the minds you know,
which are tuned in there, you know, creative magic and create the music and the
philosophy and the art and the science and oh my god, do we just do just Isaac, you know,
imagine we tune in our energy and our spirit and our entire essence to the to who we truly
are created to be. There is absolutely I mean, we are the human beings who are able to
launch this spaceships into this space into the universe to discover the Milky Ways and
the Galactus we are all same human beings who are able to communicate to each other
on a remote basis I mean about this you know, the mind speaking and this the hypnosis
and the Tilly kinetics, and oh, my God, and can you imagine that this this is all are all is in
sync? I mean, it's all like, in us, human beings, we just need to continue delving and then
you know, into our real the true the, you know, authentic the nature, oh my god, as every
human being we just don't realize that we are you know, I mean, we are creating let's but
in the image of God, but we should stop pretending that we are God because we are not.
As I said, let's get back to the, you know, what divine Holy Word of God says, All the Bible
Be still and know that I am God. So we have to humbly bore ourselves. You know, I'm not
saying no place also knowledge, but maybe this is the time even this coronavirus
pandemic is the design of the Almighty God so that we humans, you know, stop
pretending, being gods, although we are Almighty and handy, but our days are counted.
So, and it was this I take authority on behalf of mighty creature, give every fellow human
being on the face of the earth. You know, be blessed, and count your blessings. Because
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 9 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
remember, every breeze every step, every you know, eye look, anything we hear anything
can come to an end can cease to exist any moment. And I'm not exempt I'm just a mortal
human being whose life physical life is fragile.
I
Isaac Tadé 34:29
extremely humbling. Thank you so much for your time. So that concludes our interview for
today. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your story, to share your perspective.
And, and and to give us a little sense of who you are and and who you are as a human in
this world. So thank you again.
A
Aksana M
34:50
Thank you Isaac so may you know this technology, you know, help us carry our tools and
the year vibrations and the you know, breath and the, you know, mode of our hearts
through the times through the space. Because there's the Upanishads of ancient Sanskrit
said that there is a bridge between time and eternity. Nothing can close the patient. It is
the spirit of man, which was ongoing, every human is gone, we will continue carrying the
message through the centuries into eternity. So, thank you, Isaac, Thank you for your time.
And I bow my head and my spirit and my entire essence in humbleness for you, to the
entire staff of the Augsburg central health Commons to the program the strength voices
of change to the entire humanity. Thank you taking the time and listening to mumbling of
a mere human being.
I
Isaac Tadé 36:00
Amen. Thank you.
Aksana Muratalieva: Oral History 2021
Page 10 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Thu, 3/25 6:41PM
22:09
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, commons, health, augsburg, treat, feel, providing, dnp, practicum, minnesota, community,
pandemic, experience, lived, working, poorly, interacted, program, addiction, university
SPEAKERS
Isaac Tadé, J... Show more
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Thu, 3/25 6:41PM
22:09
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, commons, health, augsburg, treat, feel, providing, dnp, practicum, minnesota, community,
pandemic, experience, lived, working, poorly, interacted, program, addiction, university
SPEAKERS
Isaac Tadé, Jenna Nelson
I
Isaac Tadé 00:01
Thank you for joining us today for this oral history project for the Augsburg University
central health commons. My name is Isaac Tadé, and I'm a student at Augsburg
University. Could you please introduce yourself for the recording and tell us what your
position is? Or was at the university?
J
Jenna Nelson 00:20
Yeah, my name is Jenna Nelson. I am a DNP FNP student in my third year at Augsburg
University, and I'm also working as an intern with the health commons.
I
Isaac Tadé 00:36
Okay, great. Thank you. Before we continue, I would just like to confirm that you consent
to being interviewed and having that interview stored at Augsburg University, which will
be made available to the public.
J
Jenna Nelson 00:48
Yes, I consent to that.
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 1 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 00:50
Okay. Thank you. Can you tell me where you grew up? And who you call family?
J
Jenna Nelson 00:56
Yeah, so my dad was in the Air Force. And so I grew up on Air Force bases. We lived in
Okinawa, Japan. We lived in Hawaii for four years. And then we lived in Fort Walton
Beach, Florida. And then we moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where I ended up doing High
School. And I was adopted when I was three months old from Chile. So yeah, my family is
my older brother, Tony, also adopted from Chile a few years before I was from a different
family. And then my parents who are, my dad's from Brainerd, Minnesota, so really
Minnesotan and my mom's more Western, Claire City, Minnesota, a small farming town.
So yeah.
I
Isaac Tadé 01:42
Great. Thank you. How did you end up at Augsburg University.
J
Jenna Nelson 01:46
So, I like the Twin Cities. I went to the University of Minnesota for my undergrad. And I
heard a lot of good things about Augsburg from other people that I've met living up here.
And then I worked for about 10 years after I graduated with my Rn, and wanted to live
back in Minneapolis. So it just kind of was close. And I liked how the program sounded.
I
Isaac Tadé 02:14
Great. Thank you. How did you become involved with Health Commons?
J
Jenna Nelson 02:18
So for one of my classes for the DNP FNP program, Katie was the instructor and part of
the class was to kind of actually be involved in the community and see different ways you
can work with community members. And so one of the places she told us about this, the
Health Commons, and we can get practicum hours for it too. So that's kind of how we got
started with it.
I
Isaac Tadé 02:46
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 2 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Okay. And what can you tell me about your experience at Health Commons so far?
J
Jenna Nelson 02:51
so far, it's kind of crazy this last year, because things changed with the pandemic, pretty
significantly. But before the pandemic, it seemed fairly busy, you know, you could see
there's a need for this. And just kind of the relationships I saw Katie have with people who
come here frequently, even interacting with people that are new to the Health Commons
using some of those kind of services that they provide. I just think it's really important work
she's doing. It's needed in the community, and it would be awesome if there were more
places like this in most communities, because there's a need really, for this.
I
Isaac Tadé 03:37
How long have you been at Health Commons?
J
Jenna Nelson 03:40
I think I did start in 2018. I volunteered a little bit after I did some practicum hours here.
And then I was free. I took a year off from school. And then when I started again, that
summer, I came back so I think it was summer of 2019. I came and volunteered a couple
times. And then with the internship, right when I saw that email, I kind of jumped on it and
said I want to do it. So I was fortunate I get picked.
I
Isaac Tadé 04:07
So you're here again!
J
Jenna Nelson 04:08
Yeah, I am here now, yeah.
I
Isaac Tadé 04:10
Okay. How was Health Commons presented to fit in with your curriculum? And how well
do you think your experience at Health Commons relates to what you were learning?
J
Jenna Nelson 04:20
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 3 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Yeah, so the Health Commons was, again, the Augsburg DNP FNP program specifically
wants to focus on holistic community health. Family Nurse Practitioners are meant to
provide preventative health care to community members. And, you know, the U.S. doesn't
have a universal health care system. Obviously, there's huge groups of people who are not
getting primary care, preventative care, even just kind of basic health counseling. So this
kind of fit into that part of this program where they really wanted to emphasize being
involved in the community, working directly with the people that you're serving, and kind
of addressing those underlying problems with certain groups of people not getting the
care that, you know, they need.
I
Isaac Tadé 04:54
So it sounds like the curriculum has really aligned with the mission of Health Commons
here.
J
Jenna Nelson 05:23
Yeah, yeah, definitely. I mean, I would say the, and vice versa, too. I guess that would
make sense. But yeah, this is really, I think the direction that they want to go with this
specific program, the FNP DNP program. And I would say it's, it might be one of the only
kind of parts of the program that really do. Like, it's it is what it says it is. It's not... I feel
like sometimes programs can kind of, you know, they try to advertise, and they say, "We
do this, we're involved in this," but then you're in the program, and you're like, "You do that
for an hour, like one semester." That's not what you signed up for. But I feel like this is
definitely kind of what they're preaching in the program.
I
Isaac Tadé 06:06
So walking the walk?
J
Jenna Nelson 06:07
In action, yes.
I
Isaac Tadé 06:08
Yeah. Okay, thank you. How did your experience at Health Commons fit or challenge your
expectations?
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 4 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
J
Jenna Nelson 06:17
Um, I would say it challenged my expectations. It kind of fit it, too. I mean, so working with
people directly, especially people who've been marginalized, treated poorly by healthcare
providers, and basically anybody who, you know, works with a certain entity, like a
hospital or the government or something, I feel like, people are pretty, not defensive, but
just cautious around new people. And so I guess I was surprised that people coming to
Health Commons and using its services were as open as they were, to me. And then every
now and then I would be surprised and taken aback if somebody...if I did something or
said something that offended someone really strongly. But yeah, I guess it kind of was
what I thought it would be. Which is good. Because, you know, like I said, a lot of times,
people say that they're doing something, and it involves all these details, and then you do,
and that's not really what they said it was, and this was exactly, you know, working with
people directly and meeting them where they're at.
I
Isaac Tadé 07:24
And you said that a lot of people met you and trusted you and accepted the care that you
were providing. Which wasn't your expectation? What do you think it was that made you
approachable? As a health care provider?
J
Jenna Nelson 07:44
Yeah, specifically in this environment, I would just say...Katie, pretty much. They trust Katie,
a lot of people here really trust Katie, and they really don't trust anyone else that is
"providing". I'm doing quotes, you're providing services for them. But I think because of the
direct relation and where I'm coming from. That might have been why. Also, usually when
I meet people, I'm fairly quiet, and I try to let them direct the conversation or the
interaction. So that might help.
I
Isaac Tadé 08:22
Yeah, thank you. Thank you for sharing. Did you feel as though people felt welcomed into
this space? Do you have any suggestions on how we could do that better? You've already
touched on this a little bit.
J
Jenna Nelson 08:36
Yeah, I think they do (feel welcomed). And again, the pandemic makes it, it really
complicates things in terms of people feeling welcomed. Just because you can only have
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 5 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
so many people in the room at one time and then because other people are waiting to
come in. They can only, kind of, spend so much time there. We try not to rush anyone out.
But yeah, it's I think it would have been interesting to be here a lot more before the
pandemic to see.
I
Isaac Tadé 09:04
The contrast.
J
Jenna Nelson 09:05
Yeah, but I felt like when the Health Commons was in that trailer in the parking lot, like a
long time ago, before the church had finished its renovations, even though it was a tiny,
cramped space, it felt super welcoming. Like it felt like a good vibe. You walk in there and
you know people, it seemed like people felt like they could be there and they were
comfortable.
I
Isaac Tadé 09:27
Okay, what strengths did you learn of, or hear from the people that you met?
J
Jenna Nelson 09:34
Um, people I met working or just people using the services ?
I
Isaac Tadé 09:39
Probably both, yeah.
J
Jenna Nelson 09:43
Well, yeah. I guess for the people that are coming in here that are either currently
experiencing homelessness or have, a lot of the strengths are just you know, they're
resilient. They still see the good in people even though they've been treated poorly. And
hearing some of their stories to like, you know, a lot of institutionalized, like racism or just
being treated poorly in all these different avenues. And yeah, they're very resilient. So
that's good to see. And then the people working here, I would just say, their strengths are
that they keep an open mind. And I don't see a lot of people here at all acting as if they
know more than the people seeking services. It's kind of like, more of an even playing field
versus going into like a clinic and seeing a primary care doctor or nurse practitioner.
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 6 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Nobody's... I feel like nobody's really being talked down to they're just having
conversations.
I
Isaac Tadé 10:50
The relationships between people providing services and people receiving them are often
mutually beneficial. Would you say?
J
Jenna Nelson 10:57
Definitely, yeah. And and I think it's very transparent that that's the case too, I don't think,
yeah. That's nice. That's true.
I
Isaac Tadé 11:06
Thank you. How has this experience changed any biases you may have had about
homelessness, or marginalized housed individually? individuals? Excuse me.
J
Jenna Nelson 11:20
So like working in the emergency department, I've interacted with people that are
experiencing homelessness or experiencing addiction, or, you know, they have
experienced homelessness. And I think this just kind of helps me have more experience
working with people who might have had those lived experiences.
I
Isaac Tadé 11:45
Do any stories come to mind? Um, I'm about bias or...
J
Jenna Nelson 11:52
like, well, I guess something,
I
Isaac Tadé 11:54
Maybe something that changed your perspective?
J
Jenna Nelson 11:56
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 7 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I guess some stuff. Just interacting with people here and like people opening up the
people seeking services, I think I became more comfortable caring for that population in
the ER. Like, I didn't realize that I wasn't comfortable with it, or I didn't realize that I was
like, I was maybe just not, I don't even know, opening up enough. Like when you're a nurse,
and you're working with a patient who comes to the ER, for example, like you can tell if
they want to interact with you a lot. They can tell if you want to narrate their care. And
sometimes when people would come in and they were homeless, I just would leave them
alone, because I was like, "Oh, they're tired, they're resting or like, I'm just gonna wait for,
you know, when we get the results back from their labs are x ray." But after being here, I
realize no, I mean, each individual is different, regardless of whether or not they're housed
or homeless or suffering from addiction. And so then I feel like I was more open to letting
them kind of run the show in terms of how the interaction would happen. And I remember,
like, after doing some volunteering at the Health Commons, I was working in the
emergency department. And this guy came in and he was missing, I think he was missing
all the toes on one of his foot. And the other foot, he was missing almost all of them too.
There like there were two left. And he had just gotten off a bus from...it was either
Mississippi or Louisiana. Literally the community that was serving him down there gave
him a bus pass and said, "You can go wherever you want." And so he said, "I came to
Minnesota, because I've heard they have really good resources up here. They treat people
well." And I think it was a middle of winter too. And I'm just like, oh my God. So he had
come in because he was having like, some pain in his foot. He had a little bit of an ulcer
who was diabetic. So the wound healing was poor. And like, I got him a bunch of warm
blankets. And I was like, "Do you want anything to eat?" I got him some food, some
emergency room food, which isn't great, but I got him food. And I think every time I came
in there, he was just like, taken aback, like, Is this real? And so I wonder how he's how he
was treated previously, you know, in emergency room settings or in other healthcare type
settings. But it was really funny. Like, I think he he thought I was like, I don't know, like,
super nice. I'm like, "No, this is how we treat people here, you know, typically."
I
Isaac Tadé 14:13
So it sounds like originally, you had just kind of interacted with the population when
necessary to provide the care.
J
Jenna Nelson 14:25
Yeah.
I
Isaac Tadé 14:25
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 8 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
And now it seems as though you've kind of gone past that maybe eliminated some of
those biases that you didn't even know you had.
J
Jenna Nelson 14:33
Yeah.
I
Isaac Tadé 14:34
And you're more interactive with the population, which provides better, like relationships
for you. And probably better care as well.
J
Jenna Nelson 14:43
Exactly. Yeah. Like I think, just working with other people in general, especially when
related to their health. It's like...you kind of have to step back and look at what your role is
and how you might appear to them. And I think I didn't want to be a bother. A lot of times
when people were coming in, because again, I was like this is their only time where they're
getting, like shelter for maybe four or five hours or something like that. So I would just
want to leave them alone. But then exactly like, the more I actually was here and had
conversations with people, the more I recognize that it depends on the person, but a lot of
people are craving like social interaction. And this is one of the places where they would
get it would be like a health care setting.
I
Isaac Tadé 15:30
Wow, that's beautiful. Thank you. How would you suggest we can better accompany
people on their journey of health, for example, adding more hours or adding outreach
services?
J
Jenna Nelson 15:46
Adding more hours would be good. I know that takes people and money and time and
stuff. But yeah, I think adding more hours and locations, which was mentioned before, too.
And yeah, like being involved with the encampments, as well as, you know, providing
meals. With the COVID, providing immunizations, if we have some bringing it out to them
versus expecting them to come here. But yeah, basically just being more even more visible
in the community than they already are, would be good.
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 9 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 16:21
Outreach more?
J
Jenna Nelson 16:22
Yeah, yeah.
I
Isaac Tadé 16:23
Okay. What, if anything, will you take forward with you, from your experience? For
example, has this experience impacted your future career ideas or personal goals? What
was the most valuable part of your experience? Actually, I'll just ask that first question.
What, if anything, will you take forward with you from this experience,
J
Jenna Nelson 16:49
Um, just, again, that people are extraordinarily resilient, like mentally, physically, and that,
again, everybody has a story, and everybody has a reason for being the way that they
are. And even if it comes off as harsh or rude, or, like, you know, they're having a really
bad time. So just keeping that in mind, not taking things personally, and trying to, you
know, individually, respond to somebody versus assuming, making kind of stereotypes you
know, about what they might need, based on how they look. I mean, when I look at
someone, now I look at them, and I'm like, I have no idea what they want, I need to I need
to communicate with them. Whereas before, I might have made assumptions. Is that a
practice that you learned here? Or through Augsburg orsomething else? Definitely, with
the programs. I think it's 803 is the class, I can't remember 802 or 803. But yeah, like, any
of the practicum hours that we did, especially with the Health Commons, I feel like kind of
foster that. So.
I
Isaac Tadé 18:01
Okay, thank you. What was the most valuable part of this experience?
J
Jenna Nelson 18:08
So far, I think it's been seeing, like, the relationships that Katie has with people and then
just having time to work with people here. I think it's just, you know, things take time. And
to have the chance to do this is awesome, especially to get like, you know, do the
internship is amazing. I would have volunteered regardless, but to have an internship to
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 10 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
for students is awesome. Yeah.
I
Isaac Tadé 18:37
What was most useful to you?
J
Jenna Nelson 18:41
I'm probably having Katie, as a, I'd say mentor, like somebody I can ask questions to. And I
don't have to be afraid that maybe I just sounded like I'm stereotyping someone. Like it's
a very open conversation. And if I have questions about, you know, how she interacts with
people when they treat her a certain way, I know, it's an open space. I don't know what
they call it in the woke community.
I
Isaac Tadé 19:07
Like a safe space space. Yeah. for learning and for...
J
Jenna Nelson 19:10
Yeah, yeah, there's not... I feel really confident too that there's not judgment. It's more like,
okay, like, open your mind. We're learning together here. So, yeah.
I
Isaac Tadé 19:20
Wow, that's beautiful. What do you think Health Commons could do better? Is there
anything missing?
J
Jenna Nelson 19:27
Um, I don't know. That's a good question. I would have to think about that. Okay. But I
mean, yeah, it's just sometimes I like the idea of telling people they can only take so many
things like the whole...I think...
I
Isaac Tadé 19:47
Limited resources?
Jenna Nelson 19:48
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 11 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
J
Jenna Nelson 19:48
Yeah. It's the limited resources and the reason for it is because there's limited resources
Funding and like, yeah. But no, I think, again, outreach and of promoting their existence
so people know they're here, is good in the community.
I
Isaac Tadé 19:52
Funding, yeah Is there anything that you would change about the internship experience?
J
Jenna Nelson 20:12
Um, I don't think so. No, I, I think it's gone really well. It's nice and convenient to be able to
schedule online. We have that too. So, no, that's good.
I
Isaac Tadé 20:24
Okay. Is there any specific story you would share that stuck with you, from your
experience at Health Commons?
J
Jenna Nelson 20:38
Initially when I was doing 803, and volunteering and getting practicum hours, I think it was
2017 or 2018. But I did an oral history for a gentlemen that frequently came to the Health
Commons. And I talked to him for about 45 minutes. And once I was typing it up, typing up
the transcript, I realized, like... I don't know, some of the stuff that he'd been through was
like, he had no control over it. And he had suffered from alcoholism. And he was treated
really poorly in a lot of environments because of his history of addiction. And it was just
another example of like, how issues with addiction and at least our community, I want to
say generally our country, probably worldwide, are just, I mean, we really need to work on
how we treat people with addiction issues.
I
Isaac Tadé 21:36
We punish rather than treat.
J
Jenna Nelson 21:38
Yeah, and I mean even...Yeah, definitely we do that.
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 12 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 21:43
Yeah. Okay. Is there anything else that you'd like to add that we haven't talked about?
J
Jenna Nelson 21:55
No, I don't think so.
I
Isaac Tadé 21:57
Okay, I think this concludes our oral history. Thank you so much.
J
Jenna Nelson 22:03
Yes. You're welcome. Thanks.
Oral History with Jenna Nelson (2021)
Page 13 of 13
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Thu, 4/8 5:57PM
33:10
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, augsburg, commons, health, pandemic, haircut, internship, community, person, dentistry,
katie, intern, homeless, life, dental, assume, site, dentist, encampment, evicted
SPEAKERS
Kathleen Clark, Isaac Ta... Show more
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Thu, 4/8 5:57PM
33:10
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, augsburg, commons, health, pandemic, haircut, internship, community, person, dentistry,
katie, intern, homeless, life, dental, assume, site, dentist, encampment, evicted
SPEAKERS
Kathleen Clark, Isaac Tadé
Kathleen Clark 00:03
Thank you for joining us today for this oral history project for the Augsburg University
central health Commons. My name is Katie Clark. I'm an assistant professor of nursing.
Could you please introduce yourself for the recording and tell us what your position is at
the university?
I
Isaac Tadé 00:20
Hello, my name is Isaac Tadé. And I am a student intern with Augsburg Health Commons
at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.
Kathleen Clark 00:35
Wonderful, and what year are you in the undergrad?
I
Isaac Tadé 00:39
I am a senior in the undergrad at Augsburg studying biology and with a minor in religion.
Kathleen Clark 00:46
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 1 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
And do you know what you'll be doing when you're done?
I
Isaac Tadé 00:49
I do. After I finished this year, I'll be starting dental school in the fall. Fall 2021 at the
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
Kathleen Clark 01:01
And what are the internships called that you're doing?
I
Isaac Tadé 01:05
I am a Christensen scholars intern through the Christensen scholars program at Augsburg
Kathleen Clark 01:12
And then I think you added another internship was that one through the Strommen center.
Is that correct?
I
Isaac Tadé 01:18
That's correct.
Kathleen Clark 01:19
Excellent. Yes.
I
Isaac Tadé 01:20
Double intern this year. Yeah.
Kathleen Clark 01:23
And that, that for me and my role is exciting because you're the first Strommen intern
we've ever had.
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 2 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 01:31
The guinea pig.
Kathleen Clark 01:33
Right, so great. Before we continue, I would just like to confirm that you consent to being
interviewed and having the interview stored at Augsburg University, which will be made
available to the public.
I
Isaac Tadé 01:45
Yes, I consent. Great.
Kathleen Clark 01:48
So just to start off, can you tell me a little bit about where you grew up and who you call
family?
I
Isaac Tadé 01:54
For sure. So I'm originally from in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. That's where I was born. And
my family moved to the United States when I was four years old. We lived with my
grandmother at their lake home in Bad Lake Minnesota for a summer before moving to
Walcott, North Dakota, a small town of 200 people. I went to high school oil, middle
school and Kindred, North Dakota. And then I moved to Windham, Minnesota, big town
life of 5004 for high school, and that's kind of where I went to high school. And then
bouncing around there, I decided to come to Augsburg because I wanted to be in a larger
city. And I really was interested in the diversity here. And Augsburg was a D3 school where
I could be involved with a lot of things such as the track team, cross country, the choir,
things like that. So that's kind of what I've done. That's why I'm here.
Kathleen Clark 03:11
Did Augsburg meet those expectations for you?
I
Isaac Tadé 03:14
Yeah, Yes, it did. Augsburg delivered, and then something I've really enjoyed my time here.
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 3 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Yeah, I only have positive things to say about about Augsburg again. And I love where I'm
at. So that's kind of a part of why I've decided to stay in Minneapolis for the next four
years for dental school. So I love it here.
Kathleen Clark 03:36
How did you become involved or hear about the health commons?
I
Isaac Tadé 03:41
So through Christensen scholars, we are given an internship, and it was who was it the
internship kind of director?
Kathleen Clark 03:56
Jeremey Meyers
I
Isaac Tadé 03:57
There we go. Thank you. Jeremy Meyers, kind of forwarded in emails saying that there was
this potential opportunity to intern at health commons working with people who face to
come from different disparities and who, yeah, and just kind of do health care work. And
that's really interested me and I wanted to get into the field more, and work with real
people. So that's where the connection was made. And then he introduced me to you,
Katie. And from there, we've just kind of brainstormed how this internship would work. And
this semester, I've been coming in person to help calm and site. Through the pandemic.
I've been blessed that I've been able to work with real people, and not just computer
screens. Yeah, so that's how I got to help doctors.
Kathleen Clark 04:58
And then you've also been involved With the pre dental club, can you tell me a little bit
about that as well?
I
Isaac Tadé 05:06
Yeah, so I've been with the pre dental club since I first came to Augsburg, and I'm currently
the president of the Student Organization. Essentially, I want to give other people the
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 4 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
opportunity to access things such as volunteer hours, information about dentistry, how to
apply and things like that. That's kind of what the club does. But through health commons,
we've been able to do a couple different events, we've done a clothing drive. That,
basically, yeah, we brought in a bunch of clothes and, and help distribute those out,
bringing them to health commons and stuff. And pre dental volunteers came along with
that. But we also got dental supplies, toothbrushes, floss tooth toothpaste, from the
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, and brought them to health commons, were
we made health kits, and distributed those out as well, while helping lead people to their
vaccine site when those are available, so that was, I think that was a really great
opportunity for pre dental students to just get some more volunteering hours and to, you
know, just talk about what are some of the needs that the community has? While we're in
person, you know, and having these conversations with the people who are affected by it.
Kathleen Clark 06:49
Can you tell me about your experiences at the health commons?
I
Isaac Tadé 06:53
Absolutely, it's been very insightful, I think that would be the best word. I think I've since
moving to the city, I've always seen homeless people around. So when I would go running
on the Greenway, or downtown or by the river, I would always see people who are facing
housing insecurity. And I always just felt bad. And I never really knew what to do, even
when you go to the grocery store, you know, there's usually someone on the corner or
something, asking for ways to just get by. And so I always feel bad, but I never really know
how I can help or how I can be useful. And so I think this experience has been really
insightful. Because before I really thought that, you know, I needed to get my degree. And
through that paperwork, you know, I would have the tools necessary to make a change,
but that's really not the case. I think, each day, if you just bring a positive attitude, if you
are approachable, if you are hospitable. If you are friendly, and and humanizing, you can
really make a difference, and to people, even if it's just listening to them and having a
conversation. It's helping someone else's life. And I think that's really a beautiful thing. So I
think that's kind of been my experience at health comments. Um, it's been really insightful.
I think that's kind of where my mindset has switched a little bit.
Kathleen Clark 08:44
So has the health commons, been able to fit into some of the course content you've had?
As far as are you? Do you find time that you're like, Oh, this is what I would learn at the
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 5 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
health commons. And now I'm reading about it in class.
I
Isaac Tadé 09:04
Yeah, I think so. I mean, just generally speaking, our experience mission is to, to see and to
serve the neighbor to live with the neighbor. And like I said, being in the city, your
neighbors, often homeless people. And so just being aware of that, I think is a big step.
And I think that really fits into how Augsburg does about its admission. In the Christiensen
Scholars Program, we're reading a book called vintage sinners and saints. And it's
basically talking about like, everyday people who have glorified God. Through struggle
and through strife and through depression and through old pression So it's just this idea
that every person is like a two sided coin, we often see like these glorified figures, but we
don't take into the consideration of what their human life is really like, you know,
recognizing that people are just human. And I think that two sided coin is very much
present with every one of us, you know, we can't just see the best in people, we can't just
see the saint. There's also a center behind behind that, that mask, and we can't just
assume that someone is a full, fully a sinner, either. And so yeah, I think that's kind of how I
see our curriculum in the program being implemented in our, in our work at Christiansen
are at the health calmness, because we can't make those assumptions that a person is
fully one or the other work. We're complicated.
Kathleen Clark 11:04
So do you feel as though people feel welcomed in this space? And do you have any
suggestions on how we could welcome people better?
I
Isaac Tadé 11:13
For sure, um, from what I've seen, people are really treated as fully human at health
commons, people are welcomed in with a lot of hospitality. And with a lot of grace and
with little to no judgment. And with little to no questions or pressure of their, excuse me,
current circumstances. That's from what I've seen, people are met with like a level
headedness. And there's no condescending attitude. So I think health comments does a
really good job at that. And when I started, Katie, you talk to me about those things. And
you talked about how we don't judge here, and we just try to meet the needs of the people
where they're at. And we can't assume we know what their needs are. Those things are
really important. And I think health commons does an excellent job at that.
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 6 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Kathleen Clark 12:17
What strengths did you learn of or hear from people that you've met?
I
Isaac Tadé 12:23
Yeah, I think there are so many people in the homeless community who are absolutely
hilarious. They're just so funny, and they're just bright, and funky. And just like, fun people.
And I think that humor is an excellent way of showing resilience, and of bringing light into
situations or lives that might otherwise be very difficult. And so that's one thing I've really
noticed about some of the strengths that people have. I think the homeless community,
they really understand their own needs to they they see from a certain perspective that
that person like myself, who hasn't experienced homelessness just doesn't have a
perspective that I don't have. They talk about how things can improve physically, with
their mental health with maybe dependency with spirituality, a lot of social issues they
often discuss in detail. And with solutions, it's it's incredible how some of these people
aren't politicians, because it seems like everyone has an answer. So I think they have a
certain perspective, and they understand their own needs. Very well. Yeah.
Kathleen Clark 14:14
So has this experience changed any biases or thoughts that you might have had about
people experiencing homelessness, or who were marginally housed?
I
Isaac Tadé 14:24
Yeah, for sure. Um, I think I'm learning a lot more about this country. While I'm learning
about people experiencing homelessness from this country, I realized that it has
oftentimes very little forgiveness. One time offenses can land you in jail, which means you
have a massive stain on you and your record and it follows you throughout your entire life
which is unfortunate preventing you from Getting a job housing insurance. Even seeking
health care becomes difficult sometimes because of these things that are often
misdemeanors. So yeah, I think oftentimes people think, well, if you're homeless, you
deserve it. And why don't you just get out of your own situation, everyone has a hard life.
Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, this is America, you should be able to get things done.
But that's just not how it works. There are so many alternative circumstances that that
affect people. And, and as individuals at the time, they may not have the resources to pull
themselves out. Um, and this country really isn't forgiving of that. For example, I talked to
a woman outside of target. A few days ago, I brought her some granola bars. And she had
said that she was working, I think it was staples, or something like that. And then, at the
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 7 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
beginning of the pandemic, she lived with her boyfriend. But the staples closed because of
the pandemic, and budget cuts, and they just couldn't afford to stay open any longer at
that time. And so, because of that, she was already pretty short on cash from kind of just
working this minimum wage job with her boyfriend, and then they weren't able to afford
housing in the city, because it's expensive. And so they were evicted. And then from there,
through the eviction process, they lost a lot of their paperwork, and contacts. And it very
important thing such as like, social, social security card, and I think she even lost her
wallet. And so she wasn't able to apply for funding like assistance funding, or she wasn't
able to look for another job. And the pandemic was just raging on, so no one was
employed anyways. And everyone she knew, was basically out of reach just because of
personal reasons. And she couldn't go visit her mother asked for help, because her mother
was in like a nursing home. And so there are those bills to pay as well. So huge, that she
had no choice but to be homeless, and be out on the street asking for money, you know,
and but I think we just assume, in this society that your life is totally in your own hands to
control. And I think that's just not the case, oftentimes, so just trying to be more forgiving.
And I wish this country was more forgiving, too. That's what I'm learning.
Kathleen Clark 18:18
Do you have any suggestions on how we could better accompany people on their journey
of health? Or have you seen anyone be accompanied on their journey of health?
I
Isaac Tadé 18:34
Yeah, I think just considering health is, well, it should be well rounded. Including things. I
mean, physical, mental, spiritual. Health commons does a pretty good job of covering the
spiritual and physical right, we have nurses, and we have spiritual leaders in the
community in the church. But you know, there, and I suppose they cover the social as well.
But I think there's just there's more to it. Um, we could talk about, you know, financial, Can
Can we have a financial adviser, or, or a social worker or someone with job assistance? I
know and I don't know the full workings of, you know, how it comes or whatever. But yeah,
I think it's just important to consider the whole person.
Kathleen Clark 19:42
So what, if anything, will you take forward from this experience? For example, has
anything impacted your future career or personal goals? Or what has been? Yeah, just
most valuable or useful to you?
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 8 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 19:57
Yeah, I think one of the most important lessons Just to never judge someone based on the
position that they're in, and never assume that I know what's going on in their life, or that I
can pin their existence down to one or two mistakes in their life or one or two events in
their lives. People are so much more than that. For example, I was talking to a person that
health Thomas who goes there for services. And he told me about this story when he was
riding the light rail, and it was a domestic abuse situation. And he asked this woman Well,
why do you? Why do you take this? Why do you keep letting this guy abuse you? And he
said, she said, it was better to get abused by one man than by 12. And so that just blew his
mind. It's like, well, you want the best for this lady. Okay? If he if he were to cut this guy off,
that's her protection from these 11 other, you know, 12 other dudes who could be messing
her life up even worse. And so that really taught me quite bluntly, to never assume you
know, the best in someone's situation and never assume you have their situation figured
out. I think it's always important to ask how you can be of service, what needs Do you
have today that I can meet? I think that's a good way to approach conversation. I'm in
service, yeah, a conversation in service. I also will just be, I really want to go into
community health from this point forward. Like I said, I've always felt like I I noticed people
who are marginalized, and I feel bad for them. And then it used to be that I, I just, it just
stops there. I just stop and I feel bad. And then, you know, I get over it. But I think at this
point, I really want to continue my impact. And I would love to work in a community
health setting in the future as a dentist, and maybe even go to public health school. And I
don't know, we'll see. But I'm just really interested in the community health dynamic. And I
think that's where my heart and skill sets kind of best meet the needs. That I see. If Katie, if
you ever see me do cosmetic dentistry, if you ever see me just like doing veneers and like
tooth whitening, something had gotten very wrong, because I don't want to be a strip mall
dentist, if that makes sense. And that's just not who I want to be. So he ever seen me on a
strip mall? Today's teeth in the suburbs that asked me a few questions about how life is
going. So that's just who I am.
Kathleen Clark 23:40
So can you tell me a little bit too, like I know, for the whole year, you're able to be
Christiansen scholar intern. But then this semester, you came on board, like I said earlier
and through the Strommen center as our first intern as the health commons engagement
specialist. So given that, you know, used to do three hours a week, and now you're doing a
significant amount of more, what has this internship on top of your original internship
allowed you to do?
Isaac Tadé 24:13
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 9 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 24:13
Yeah, absolutely. So being in person at health commons. This semester as the engagement
specialist, I've been able to expand on the things I was doing last year last semester, doing
things such as the oral histories, just telling the stories of the people at health comments.
I've been doing a lot of volunteer recruitment, through the pre dental club, just to kind of
help Come out, come out and do some of the things that I'm already doing. But just with
more numbers, also aiding in COVID-19 vaccine recruitment. We've had a couple days at
health commons where we've been fortunate to distribute out vaccines and Volunteers are
needed. So those things have all been really impactful for me and have really helped me
to kind of ground myself, I think, at the health commons being useful and being of service.
And then with my, I suppose free, free time outside of the internship, I've been just reading
different pieces that kind of enhance my understanding of the work. I'm actually doing.
One of those reading Evicted by Matt Desmond, I read that earlier this semester. And
yeah, those are those are the things I've been doing with my time.
Kathleen Clark 25:43
And where are you? Have you ever been able to go to the encampments at all?
I
Isaac Tadé 25:47
Yes, that's another thing. We were able to visit the encampments, just to see what
circumstances were like there and to help distribute out water and food and some other
supplies that that were needed there.
Kathleen Clark 26:02
And what was your thoughts leaving the encampment?
I
Isaac Tadé 26:08
My thoughts were essentially that there, their encampment community was, is just
integrated right into the city. It's like It's its own little corner, in a neighborhood. And it's so
present, like, it's, it's right there, it's visible, it's in someone's backyard. And yet, like these
inhumane conditions, are so visible, and yet, the problems aren't solved, the problems
aren't seen, if that makes sense. So that kind of is what shocked me, just how present the
community was, and how detached I think our society is from it.
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 10 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Kathleen Clark 27:00
So as far as the health commons goes, is there something missing or something we could
do better?
I
Isaac Tadé 27:07
I think health commons does a really great job of like I said, before being welcoming,
meeting people's needs, where they're at creating a sense of community and a safe space
for community. in so many different ways. I think, maybe like access or connection to
more healthcare workers on site would be good, like, maybe having volunteer physicians,
or, or dentist or social workers or therapists on site would be would be really beneficial.
And I again, I don't know if that happened, or if that's happened before, other times when
I'm not around, or what exactly happens, but from what I see, maybe that could be an
improvement. I guess my thoughts on that have developed after I made a dental health
pamphlet that we handed out with our hygiene kits, and in this pamphlet are probably
four or five different places where you can go for anyone can go for reduced or free
dental care. And I was handing these out to people. And one of the members from health
comments came up to me, and it was just kind of like, Well, you know, this is really great,
all the informations right here for you. But to most of these people, it's just another piece
of paper. And that was kind of just like a reality check for me and, and the thought that
you know, these people really do know their needs. But at the same time, they don't have
the direct access to where they can get those needs met. And so giving them a pamphlet
isn't all that helpful, it would be more helpful to bring in a dentist directly on site. And so
that's one thing I've been thinking about. And I think it would be helpful to have other
people on site to like I said, social workers, therapists, maybe yoga instructors, or
something.
Kathleen Clark 29:22
So is there a story that you'd like to share that really stuck with you? Or is there anything
you'd like to add that we didn't ask about?
I
Isaac Tadé 29:31
Sure, I've already mentioned a few stories. But one more that just happened a couple of
weeks ago, was with a gentleman. Probably one of the best dressed people I've ever seen.
It's it's incredible that he's homeless. He's always coming in with a fresh pair of slacks and
in a dress shirt and everything. But anyways, I noticed that he had gotten a haircut. And I
complimented him on it. I said, that's a great haircut. And he said, Well, thank you. Is there
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 11 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
a place in your Oxburgh where I can get a cheaper free haircut next time? And I said, Well,
no, as a matter of fact, I got up charged last time I got a haircut at the shop near campus.
And he said, Well, what do you do, and I basically explained how I won't go into all the
details. But I didn't get what I wanted in my haircut, and I got charged $50. And they took
like an hour and a half. And I asked this guy, if I could get my normal rate of like 30 years
something. And that wasn't happening. So I didn't go back to the barber shop. And he just
laughed for a long time. And when he caught his breath, he explained to me that I wasn't
being wise. That if I was truly wise, I would go into the community, find someone that can
come back to the barbershop with me, talk to the owners, negotiate a reasonable price,
negotiate a student discount, negotiate, how they, how their business model can improve,
and be a responsible capitalist. And so I got this massive lecture by this homeless man,
when I was just complimenting him on his haircut, and it didn't really end there either.
Because I kind of came back at him a little bit. And I said, Well, I think that would be I
think that would be what was the word I used? naive to go back to the to the barbershop
and barber shop and assume that they would give me what I wanted the next time. Well,
then it turned into Yeah, again, like this massive conversation about responsible
capitalism. And then it turns into this thing about argumentation techniques and how if I
wanted to convince someone, what I was saying, I needed to phrase things in a certain
way or whatever. So that was just a very memorable conversation. I think we talked for
about two and a half hours in and out, but it just stem from me complimenting his haircut.
So add health comments, you never really know what you're gonna get. Get yourself into.
And that's part of the fun about it. I really enjoy the people. And like I said, I've just been
really blessed to be able to do this in person through the pandemic, because you just can't
get this kind of interaction over a screen. So yeah, I think that's about it.
Kathleen Clark 32:48
Wonderful, and your contributions this year have been immense and have been significant
and has changed us all for the better so.
I
Isaac Tadé 33:01
Oh, I'm blushing. Katie. Thank you.
Kathleen Clark 33:04
Alright, well, that concludes our oral history. Thank you. Happy to be here. Thanks.
Oral History with Isaac Tadé (2021)
Page 12 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less
Ellen; Oral History
Tue, 4/20 11:18AM
15:33
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
commons, experience, augsburg, health, welcoming, remember, homeless, people, feel, interns,
coming, work, housed, class, guess, guests, biases, story, spandex, nice
SPEAKERS
Isaac Tadé, Ellen
I
Isaac Tadé 00:00
Thank you f... Show more
Ellen; Oral History
Tue, 4/20 11:18AM
15:33
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
commons, experience, augsburg, health, welcoming, remember, homeless, people, feel, interns,
coming, work, housed, class, guess, guests, biases, story, spandex, nice
SPEAKERS
Isaac Tadé, Ellen
I
Isaac Tadé 00:00
Thank you for joining us today for this oral history project for the Augsburg University
Central Health Commons. My name is Isaac Tadé, I'm a student intern with Augsburg
Health Commons at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis. Could you
please introduce yourself for the recording and tell us what your position at the university
is?
E
Ellen 00:10
Yes my name is Ellen Kearney and I'm a current DNP FNP student. I'm in my second year,
just finishing up my second year of the program, and I am also currently the one of two
health Commons interns.
I
Isaac Tadé 00:18
Okay, thank you. Can you tell me where you grew up and who you called family?
E
Ellen 00:46
I grew up in kind of a Mayberry situation in Morningside which is a neighborhood in Edina.
I have two younger brothers Tom and jack and then my mom and my dad. We always had
tons of animals as well: dogs, cats, chickens, a hedgehog called Blackberry. Yeah, and
Ellen; Oral History
Page 1 of 8
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
then now I live in St. Paul with my husband and still have a lot of animals. We have three
chickens and two cats.
I
Isaac Tadé 01:12
Awesome. Thank you. How did you end up at Augsburg University?
E
Ellen 01:17
So I always knew about Augsburg. One of my neighbors growing up was actually in the
nursing department, and she kind of raved about Augsburg. But I knew that I really
wanted to leave Minnesota for college. So I kind of ignored the fact that Augsburg was
right there next door. And then when I moved back here, now about five years ago, I found
Augsburg again on the list of nurse practitioner programs, and just kind of on a whim,
went to a information session and was totally charmed by Joyce. She really sold me. So it
was the only program that I applied to. And here I am two years later.
I
Isaac Tadé 01:54
Joyce is a wonderful lady. How did you become involved with health commons?
E
Ellen 02:01
I'm so encouraged to volunteer in my, I think it was, 740 or 541 class. I can't remember if it
was a requirement or not. But I came the fall of 2019. And then was kind of hooked and
just kept coming back and kept finding ways to work it into my practicum for classes or
now coming as part of the 701.
I
Isaac Tadé 02:28
Okay, thank you. What can you tell me about your experience at health commons?
E
Ellen 02:34
I'm so I'm so grateful that I got to experience both the pre-COVID commons and the
COVID commons as both a student volunteer and now was an intern. So I feel like I've
been able to see the commons from a lot of different angles. Every time I go to the
commons, something different happens, I get to use my ICU skills and help people
navigate getting to the hospital in a hypertensive crisis, or sometimes I wash feet. But I
really think the most of my time at the commons is spent, just listening to people. And
Ellen; Oral History
Page 2 of 8
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
every time I go, I just kind of love it more.
I
Isaac Tadé 03:10
Most definitely. How was health commons presented to fit in with your curriculum? And
how well do you think your experience at health commons relates to what you were
learning in class?
E
Ellen 03:21
I think it blended into my education pretty seamlessly. But I've definitely tailored some of
my academic experiences towards my interests in the commons definitley aligns with my
interests. I don't really kind of remember how it was brought up in class, I know that we
were given the option of watching the video before coming and I definitely didn't watch
the video the first time. But I remember it being sort of, like I remember coming to the
commons and being sort of shocked because I thought that it was definitely gonna be
more of like a skilled nursing thing. So I think I was, I didn't really know, or I don't really
remember what how it was presented. And that maybe it was just me, like just zoning out
in class. But I think it has worked really well with my education. And also for me, I think at
least that it affirms that I would really like to work with marginalized populations as a
nurse practitioner. I had this kind of idea when I came to Augsburg that's what I wanted to
do. But really, it was just an idea. And now I have like all this practical experience to draw
upon. That's been really valuable.
I
Isaac Tadé 04:32
Yeah, that's really insightful. Thank you. How did you experience that health commons fit
or challenge your expectations?
E
Ellen 04:41
So like I said, it was really different. I didn't, I did not watch the video. And I came in and
expected to be doing things like more like health, sort of like counseling I guess. And more
like blood pressure taking and less, definitely less relationship building. And I think it took
coming back a few a few times for me to really see the mission and then coming to the
commons as a regular for me to really kind of understand the work. But it was only a while
before I realized, what kind of was the mission of the commons?
Ellen; Oral History
Page 3 of 8
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I
Isaac Tadé 05:20
Did you feel as though people felt welcomed into the space? Do you have any suggestions
on how we could do better.
E
Ellen 05:29
Well I really hope people feel welcome. I certainly have felt very welcomed into this space
myself. I think that it was so busy when I first started there that I don't remember ever, like
sitting down or stopping moving until we debriefed at the end. So I don't think there was
ever a time to feel unwelcomed or out of place. And even if I didn't know, where things
were, or it was a bit clumsy, I remember being really helped by the regular guests. And
they would kind of show me and put me in the right direction. Um, I really like the way the
room is set up, I think it flows really well, and it creates this super welcoming space. I
sometimes worry that like more sensitive topics are harder to discuss, which might be
making people feel like a little bit more unwelcomed, I guess. I was just thinking of this
yesterday. A woman came in and was wanting stool softeners. And it's like, you know, it's
either one or two people kind of in there right now. And Sean, John was there. You could
tell she was kind of embarrassed. But Sean John said, like very clearly like, "Oh, I don't
listen to what you're saying," and he knew that it was a private conversation and made it
clear he wasn't listening. So I think it still is a welcoming place. But I think sometimes with
it being so small and intimate now sometimes maybe that might make it feel a little
unwelcoming? I don't know. But I think overall, it is a very welcoming place and that I don't
really think there's any suggestions about how we can make it more welcoming, I guess.
I
Isaac Tadé 06:55
Yeah, that's good to hear, thank you. What strengths did you learn of or hear from people
that you've met?
E
Ellen 07:04
Um, I think I hear strength in pretty much every story that I hear there, and the resiliency
of the guests always kind of floored me. Um, I guess I can't think of like one specific
example. Right now. But I guess just the like, determination that people have they keep
getting up coming back trying again, kind of all those cliches, but they're really true. I've
seen over and over again.
I
Isaac Tadé 07:32
Ellen; Oral History
Page 4 of 8
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Yeah, most definitely. How has this experience changed any biases you may have had
about homeless people, or marginally housed individuals, excuse me.
E
Ellen 07:45
This was really my first experience working with or spending extended periods of time with
people experiencing homelessness. And I think many of my biases were challenged, I
mean, just thinking on the top my head about people like Paul and Sean John, who are
clearly so smart, and, you know, so put together and have had just like this series of bad
luck that led them to where they are and to be homeless. That, you know, that's certainly
challenged some of my beliefs about our previous biases about homelessness. And I think
that COVID has really demonstrated to how vulnerable all of us are, that none of our jobs
are truly recession proof. And it has eluminated, how easy it is for all of us to become
homeless or marginally housed. Much like Paul or Shean John or any number of the
people who come regularly. Um, I think also this experience has sort of opened my eyes to
more injustice. And I really never thought that the homeless was easy or fair. And maybe
the people experiencing homelessness were marginalized. But I think I never fully, and I
still don't fully realize how marginalized. Just yesterday, I was thinking about, as I was
bringing food to the encampments, just how, like, ridiculous it is that people are still not
allowed to sleep or live in public spaces, like parks. And then we still don't have enough
places in shelters to house everybody. So I guess those would be some of my, I guess, I
don't know if those are biases or just things that have become clear about the homeless
experience.
I
Isaac Tadé 09:27
Thank you for that. How would you suggest suggest we can better accompany people on
their journey of health, for example, adding more hours or adding outreach services?
E
Ellen 09:39
Yeah, I go back and forth about this. I have loved being able to connect people like Sean
John and chatting to hear all his stories. And I think that's so in line with the goal of the
commons but I also really wish we could reach more people. And I think that's kind of the
perpetual problem in health care. We really want to see and help as many people as we
can, but we also want to build relationships and friendships and like we just can't do it all.
But part of me thinks that doing more might dilute what we currently have. And that if we
add or change anything, or if we do add or change anything, I think it would be really
cool to kind of do a poll of all our guests and maybe even going out to like the near north,
or if there are other encampments that we could think of and asking people there.
Ellen; Oral History
Page 5 of 8
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Because I really, I don't know, what would be more beneficial. I really love what we have
going on now. But certainly, if there were things that people thought that we could do
different, or that we could add, I would be so interested in making accommodations and
helping in other ways, too.
I
Isaac Tadé 10:36
It sounds like a question of quantity versus quality.
E
Ellen 10:40
Totally.
I
Isaac Tadé 10:41
Okay. What, if anything, will you take forward with you from this experience?
E
Ellen 10:49
Oh, um, a lot of things. Um, so I think the big one is that this definitely has affirmed that, I
would love to work with marginalized populations going forward. Um, I think I feel like...so
I got into nursing thinking I was going to be a labor delivery nurse and ended up kind of in
the complete opposite, as a pediatric ICU nurse. And I came into this program thinking
that I wanted to work with marginalized people, but was really open to the idea that, like,
my education might change that. And this experience totally has, just solidified and
affirmed that I would like to work with marginalized populations in some capacity. So
that's kind of invaluable. Yeah.
I
Isaac Tadé 11:37
Okay, thank you. What do you think health commons can do better? Is something
missing?
E
Ellen 11:45
I don't think so. I think I said when I had to interview for the commons that I thought that it
could maybe be a little bit more organized. Just because sometimes I think it is hard for us
to find things when Katie's not there. But I think Katie definitely took that to heart and
that it is, like a lot more organized now and a lot easier for me to find things. So I think it's
easier for us to be more independent there as the interns. But yeah, I mean, I think it's
Ellen; Oral History
Page 6 of 8
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
great. I guess maybe if I was going to just talk about wishes and hopes, like it's been so
nice to have that space be our own. And it would be nice to have that going forward, to
not have to pack it all up every week for Sunday school, but I don't know if that would be
possible in a post COVID world.
I
Isaac Tadé 12:38
Thank you. What could have been better in regards to your volunteer experience?
E
Ellen 12:48
Um, I think I'm so biased that I just love it so much! I don't know what I could say, "what
would be better?" Um, I do sometimes think that... like I was saying before that sometimes
it is just sort of slightly frustrating not being able to find things. But that's definitely gotten
a lot better and made you feel like, I know where stuff is now and things are just more
organized. It's easier, but that would be the only thing.
I
Isaac Tadé 13:16
Okay, is there a specific story you could share that struck you from your experience at
helth commons?
E
Ellen 13:24
Yeah, think it was either the first or second time entering this winter, like over the spring
semester. This woman came in, it was one of those extremely cold days. And she was in
like a midriff spandex top and spandex bottoms, a rain jacket, and then socks and
sandals. And she'd been sleeping outside. Clearly like her hands and her feet were almost
frostbitten. And she just started telling us all about her story, and was super open. And it
came out that her car had been impounded. She'd been living in her car and she had all
the money together to get the car out, but she just didn't have car insurance and that was
going to be another like two or $300 which she just didn't have. And then clearly she
needed a lot of clothes and to be warmed back up. And it was just this like perfect like
stars aligning experience where like everything came together and everyone worked like
so well together. Pastor Melissa came in and was able to hook her up with insurance right
away. People from the clothing closet were able to find her like just the warmest best
clothes. We'd just randomly gotten a shipment of a ton of really nice polar fleece mittens
too. And this woman, she came in just so downtrodden and ended up leaving just so
encouraged and like kind of on this high. It was so wonderful to be able to take care of her
in such a way and help her get her car back. So that was kind of a really...stars aligning
Ellen; Oral History
Page 7 of 8
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
experience.
I
Isaac Tadé 15:09
Wow, that's a really beautiful story, thank you. And then our last question is, is there
anything you would like to add that we didn't already ask about?
E
Ellen 15:19
I don't think so.
I
Isaac Tadé 15:22
Okay. Well, thank you. This has been a great experience for me.
E
Ellen 15:27
Thanks, Isaac.
I
Isaac Tadé 15:28
All right you're welcome.
Ellen; Oral History
Page 8 of 8
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less