Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
Tue, 3/9 3:17PM
17:19
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
augsburg, nursing, dnp, nursing faculty, students, healthcare, family nurse practitioner, program,
patients, department, university, faculty, teresa, college, integrative, grow, deep, holistic, practices,
clinical
S... Show more
Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
Tue, 3/9 3:17PM
17:19
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
augsburg, nursing, dnp, nursing faculty, students, healthcare, family nurse practitioner, program,
patients, department, university, faculty, teresa, college, integrative, grow, deep, holistic, practices,
clinical
SPEAKERS
Lisa VanGetson, Joyce Miller
J
Joyce Miller 00:02
Thank you for joining me today for this oral history project on the Department of nursing
for Augsburg University. My name is Joyce Miller and I am the Chair of the Nursing
Department. Could you please introduce yourself for the recording? And tell us what your
position is at Augsburg University.
L
Lisa VanGetson 00:23
Thank you, Joyce. I am Dr. Lisa VanGetson. I am in as assistant professor and program
director of the doctorate of nursing practice in family nurse practitioner program here at
Augsburg University.
J
Joyce Miller 00:38
Great. Before we continue, I would just like to confirm that you consent to be to being
interviewed and to have that interview stored at Augsburg University, which will be made
available to the public.
L
Lisa VanGetson 00:52
Yes, I agree.
Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
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Transcribed by https://otter.ai
J
Joyce Miller 00:53
All right. Well, good. Let's begin. Can you tell me where you grew up and who you call
family?
L
Lisa VanGetson 01:00
Sure. I grew up in Midwestern Illinois with my parents. My mother was half Cherokee is half
Cherokee Indian. Her both of her parents were native. In I have four siblings.
J
Joyce Miller 01:15
Awesome, awesome. What led you to the nursing profession?
L
Lisa VanGetson 01:20
I felt called by God when I was in high school to care for sick people. The interesting thing
was that none of us in our family were ever sick. So I'm not quite sure, like I blame God for
this one. And I wanted to attend a girl's Catholic college because I was interested in the
Franciscan vocation. And while I was in high school, the Sisters of St. Francis from the
College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota came in scouted me at a basketball
tournament and offered me a two year basketball scholarship to St. Teresa's.
J
Joyce Miller 01:59
I love it. So you play basketball at went on to state that are at St. Teresa.
L
Lisa VanGetson 02:04
Yes.
J
Joyce Miller 02:06
That's awesome. I didn't know that about. So can you tell for me or describe your
educational background?
L
Lisa VanGetson 02:15
In 1982, I graduated with my BSN from the College of St. Teresa in Winonna. And following
my graduation, I promised God that I would never attend any more college. So I began
Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
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my nursing career at St. Mary's Hospital at Mayo Clinic Rochester. My career had a deep
focus on cardiovascular surgery, spending the next 26 years working in a pediatric adult
cardiovascular transplant intensive care unit is a bedside rn. And then later, 10 years later,
actually, as an family nurse practitioner in this in that same department, I grew deeply
passionate about hospital clinical ethics and spirituality in health care. Following a Native
American vision quest, I was led to the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, and enrolled in
graduated in 1995 and receiving a master's degree in theology and spirituality. I continued
to work at St. Mary's in the ICU in in 1997, I was led to study clinical ethics at the University
of Chicago as a paid fellow at the McLean Center for Clinical ethics. In 2002, I attended
Winona State University and obtained my family nurse practitioner certification. In 2007. I
obtained academic rank at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine as an instructor in
Biomedical Ethics. In 2010, I was led by God once again to Augsburg College, to complete
my terminal degree in the DNP TCN program.
J
Joyce Miller 03:59
Well, so that's how you really ended up at Augsburg or how, how did you discover
Augsburg university?
L
Lisa VanGetson 04:07
Well, I had applied to a DNP program at the University of Minnesota. And hey, I had
delayed my admission. And one day while driving to Minneapolis, one of my nursing
colleagues called in said listen to the name of this course. And she shared with me the
name of this course in a DNP program. I said, Well, where's that from? And she said, It's
from Augsburg College. And I said, Well, where's that at? And she said, Well, they have an
educational site in Rochester, and I think the four of us should all go to DNP school
together. And I said, Okay, well, what do I do next? And she said, Well, I know it's Friday
afternoon at three o'clock, but you need to call Dr. Sue Nash and set up an appointment
for all four of us on Monday at four o'clock. I said, Okay, I'm quite sure that'll work. So I
dialed up Sue Nash, scheduled us all an appointment The weekend we spent updating our
CBS and we we were admitted into the program Three days later.
J
Joyce Miller 05:07
I remember that day. I remember the data as soon as I shared that for you walked in. So
what then inspired you to want to teach?
L
Lisa VanGetson 05:21
Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
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Well, my first academic teaching position was actually 1999, where I taught applied in
clinical ethics in a philosophy department and then later, I taught cardiovascular nursing
in the nursing department. I have always taught in academia and also had a clinical
practice. When I was obtaining my DNP. At Augsburg, I was very inspired by the nursing
faculty. And after our first class, I turned to my four colleagues and said, If I ever teach in
academia, again, it is going to be with this nursing faculty. Why they said, I said well,
because they really have a wide angle perspective, into a health care in nursing and
understanding this transcultural perspective. Of course, as a Native American woman, I
really resonated with that and I connected with how Augsburg provided students with a
variety of practical experiences in the work of trans cultural and holistic nursing. So I
suddenly became inspired again, to integrate clinical practice with academia and
became part of Augsburg's nursing faculty in 2011. So in 2013, I was asked to join the
Augsburg nursing faculty in a meeting to dream and create a additional track in their
DNP program as an FNP. I agreed, as long as we could dream and discuss about having
an FNP track which integrated trans cultural, holistic and Integrative Health. Following
that meeting, Dr. Cheryl Leuning and I began to play in the program, which included
developing the entire curriculum, hiring and mentoring new nursing faculty finding clinical
sites for students in interviewing the first class of students. We began the program was
two faculty and seven students. Today we have over 12 faculty and about 78 DNP FNP
students.
J
Joyce Miller 07:35
Wow, How the program has grown over the last how many years? Incredible. So how
many years then Have you been at Augsburg?
L
Lisa VanGetson 07:44
Totally, I've been teaching at Augsburg since 2011, which I started in the BSN program. And
then in 2013, I entered teaching in the doctorate program.
J
Joyce Miller 07:56
So what courses do you primarily teach at Augsburg?
L
Lisa VanGetson 08:00
I teach classes throughout the DNP FNP program. I am the lead faculty on the seminar
classes in for one of the practices that we take students to Oaxaca Mexico. And I am also
quite passionate about one of the DNP courses on cosmology in in nursing, where we
Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
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actually begin to challenge our students to look at who they are as healers, and how as
nursing, how we help students begin to understand how health is connected to the care of
the earth and how we are connected with the care of the earth and how in order to to be
part of creating wellness and health we need to recognize that we are one with the earth.
J
Joyce Miller 08:52
Sounds like a great class. So what has been your most memorable teaching experience?
L
Lisa VanGetson 09:00
I'm most inspired by how students will enter our program through what they may call a
vocational call, or called by spirit, to be in our particular program. I'm inspired that I too
have been called to be among students who journey through our vigorous program into a
new life of fulfilling this call, which helps them to understand how their prayers have been
answered. It is in this deep way of knowing that I have always believed since the
beginning of this DNP FNP program that God has grown this program into being we have
been sent excellent FNP clinicians who have grown into their new roles in academia, who
have been clinicians for many years and share their years of clinical expertise in
integrated primary care. It has been and still is an honor to be part of Creating a legacy
program at Augsburg, students and faculty who arrived in our DNP FNP program are
indeed called to create a new face of healthcare through trans cultural, holistic and
integrated primary care lens. It is a blessing to share this time of my life of bridging the
gap between our current healthcare system in integrative complementary and alternative
health care.
J
Joyce Miller 10:29
That sounds incredible. So, when you launched the FNP program, What do you remember
about the beginning of that program or, or just the beginning or the launching? or What
was your biggest maybe understanding or takeaway?
L
Lisa VanGetson 10:52
Well, when I was asked by our nursing faculty to consider being the director of the
program, I remember feeling deeply embraced by how the mystery of God has been
preparing me throughout my professional career for this work. In 2013, was one of the
years of my professional life with the mystery of God placed what I call a constellation of
creative nursing faculty into a particular time of history in healthcare. Our call, and I
believe this is still our calling. It is to be part of a health community to recreate the
Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
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meaning of health and wellbeing for our patients. As we know healthcare becomes more
and more complex each day, and we are challenged to integrate a holistic and
integrative academic and clinical experience for students. This requires each of us to
reflect on how we enter a trans cultural culture of healthcare.
J
Joyce Miller 12:00
So can you tell me all the emphasis you talked about trans cultural culture care? Tell me
about the emphasis on transcultural, holistic care really aligns with you and your either
nursing or nursing or teaching practices?
L
Lisa VanGetson 12:19
Well, the emphasis on transcultural, holistic and Integrative Health really has been a deep
part of my own nursing and teaching practice for 37 years. As a native woman walking
into worlds walking in the spiritual world, where we turn to Mother Earth, the plants and
animals, our ancestors, the night sky to help us guide in this work of nursing, and also
walking in the world of evidence based practice. And healthcare policy is an effort to
provide the very best for our patients. So walking in this worlds with patients and families,
I believe we are called to serve to be with them in moments of transformation and
healing. To walk with patients through their illness story. This has always been the
emphasis of how I provide patient care.
J
Joyce Miller 13:13
That's incredible. So what should nurses know about practicing from these frameworks?
L
Lisa VanGetson 13:24
Today in health care, nurses are required, in my opinion, more than ever to understand
that trans cultural, holistic, and integrative health care is the road to patient care. These
frameworks, they're not subspecialties, this is what healthcare is today, and it is what
patients want from us. patients want us to understand their illness story through a holistic
lens. nurses, nurse practitioners must come to the patient's narrative, embracing the many
ways of understanding how transformation and healing is part of every single visit we
have with the patient. This is how we need to be providing health care today.
J
Joyce Miller 14:12
So if there would be something that we could improve upon, in our department, would you
Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
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have any thoughts on that?
L
Lisa VanGetson 14:21
It is important for our faculty to be allowed to grow into be faculty. We can grow our
internal structures faculty to support our students, and to grow our ongoing growth as
faculty. But we need the university to support our outer structure of our programs so that
we can continue to strengthen the core values and mission of who we are as a nursing
department.
J
Joyce Miller 14:51
So where do you see the department in 20 years?
L
Lisa VanGetson 14:55
In 20 years, I would hope that ours students would remember the experiences and
mentors that are provided to them. Through our nursing program, and through our
nursing faculty, I imagine alumni carrying on the deep hearing on the deep legacy of the
mission of our department.
J
Joyce Miller 15:20
I agree. As we both are getting closer to retirement, we do want our students to carry on
we are. So is there anything else that you can think of that I didn't ask or that you would
like to share today, before we close this interview time?
L
Lisa VanGetson 15:44
I guess just in closing, I do believe that, that health care is forever changing in to grow with
the times to grow a nursing department with the times of the changing face of healthcare
is what we have to do. So in 20, and 30 and 40 years, it will look very different. But it will
be aligned with meeting the best needs of where healthcare is today, and what our
patients need from us.
J
Joyce Miller 16:17
Thank you. Well, thank you, Lisa. This was quite interesting to find out about your life and
your passion, and just your teaching practices. So I really want to thank you for your time.
And and very much appreciate you participating in our oral history here at Augsburg
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University. Thank you.
L
Lisa VanGetson 16:38
Thank you.
J
Joyce Miller 16:43
I hope that stupid banging could hear a little thing and I said shut up. Hopefully, so does
it. Transcribe it you're still recording
Oral history with Lisa VanGetson
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Show less
Oral History Interview with Melvin James,
2018
Tue, 3/9 10:17AM
32:59
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, homeless, ai, home, shelters, stayed, helped, commons, minnesota, salvation army, life,
gon, passed, illinois, place, melvin, er, person, nephews, mary jo
SPEAKERS
Samantha Gibson, Kathleen C... Show more
Oral History Interview with Melvin James,
2018
Tue, 3/9 10:17AM
32:59
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
people, homeless, ai, home, shelters, stayed, helped, commons, minnesota, salvation army, life,
gon, passed, illinois, place, melvin, er, person, nephews, mary jo
SPEAKERS
Samantha Gibson, Kathleen Clark, Melvin James
Kathleen Clark 00:00
Well, hello, my name is Katie Clark. I'm an assistant professor at Augsburg University.
Could you please introduce yourself for the recording?
M
Melvin James
00:09
My name is Melvin James.
S
Samantha Gibson
00:12
My name is Samantha Gibson. I'm an AmeriCorps worker at Health Commons just
listening in.
Kathleen Clark 00:21
So thank you for joining us for the oral history project of the Health Commons.
M
Melvin James
00:25
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
Page 1 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Thank you for having me.
Kathleen Clark 00:26
Yeah. Before we get started, I would like to confirm that you consent to being interviewed
and having the interview recording stored at Augsburg University which will be made
available to the public.
M
Melvin James
00:39
Agreed.
Kathleen Clark 00:40
Alright, great. So basically, kind of, can you tell me where you grew up and who you called
family?
M
Melvin James
00:48
Well, I grew up in Illinois, it’s a little country called Sun River Terrace, out in the country, of
Illinois, Kankakee, Illinois. And I’ve been raised there, I was born and raised there. Well, I’ve
been born in Columbus, Mississippi, but I’ve been raised in Illinois since I was what five, six
years old. Out in the country, went to grade school in Momence, Illinois, and uh, went to
junior high in Momence, Illinois, then I graduated in Kankakee, Illinois in Westview High
School in Kankakee, Illinois. That’s basically how I grew up. And also mom, you know, she
was really awesome, she had a lot of survival skills, she raised, uh, eighteen kids. It was
challenging for her, you know, by herself, you know but, along the way we got split up, you
know, but we still stayed there as one family, you know. Everybody got split up, after they
got older and stuff, you know, like they, life started to take a toll, tear her down, but she
still stayed strong, she was in church and stuff. She was, she was a holy one, you know. She
survived, she helped us survive. She gave me all the survival skills that she figured that I
needed, coming up in life, you know. I know how to cook, I know how to clean, I know how
to do everything. Everything the way she showed me.
02:32
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
Page 2 of 12
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Kathleen Clark 02:33
So, being that you grew up in Illinois, how did you end up here in Minnesota? After my
mom passed, after she passed at 82 years old, she passed at 82, and I'm the youngest
male of the family, you know, so. Everybody's grown in my family now, so, you know. So I
came to Minnesota after she passed and stuff, so. Everybody just grew up and went their
own way, and you know, I was 45 years old when I came here, so, you know, I’m 58 now.
Life was kinda difficult for me when I moved to Minnesota, but, like my mom always told
me, you can make it in your hometown, you can make it anywhere, you know, it all
depends on what you going to another place to venture off to- to do, you know. Cause, if
you gonna do bad or wrong, or anything, you might as well stay in your hometown, you
know. Cause you gon get the same results no matter where you go, you know, so. I used all
of my survival skills to help me come along in Minnesota, you know. Uh, it has some faults,
about Minnesota, but, you know, it is what it is, you know. It’s partially my hometown, I had
to struggle, I had to crawl before I walk. I’m on bended knees now. So was it a relationship
that brought you here, or was it a job, or?
M
Melvin James
04:24
After my mom passed, I was, I lived with my mom. And, she stayed in the house by herself.
I had to, when she passed, I had to go. But I never depended on my other sisters and
brothers, the house and me, you know, they helped me through, you know, I counted that
on my own, you know, so I was homeless back home, in my hometown. I was sleeping out
in the parks, and staying in the shelters and stuff, you know. When I was really there and
not here and stuff I got kicked out the shelters, I ended up having to live out on the streets,
you know. But along comes with that, we had a family reunion one year and my nephew,
he lives up here in Minnesota, he came down and I was sleeping in his brother’s car, well I
was sneaking around sleeping in his brother’s car at night, you know, he didn't know I was
sleeping in his car, you know. So I guess, I guess they got together and like man, uncle need
help, you know, uncle need help, we need to, uh, get, you know, he’s our mentor, you know,
so yeah he need help. So my nephew put me in the car and come on let's go to Kmart so I
can buy this and buy that. So along with that I was drinking, and I got a little tipsy, and I
think I might have fell asleep in the car. And when I woke up I was in Minnesota. I woke up,
I was back in Minnesota.
Kathleen Clark 06:12
So how did you feel homelessness was, where you were at compared to when you showed
up in the Twin Cities?
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
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Transcribed by https://otter.ai
M
Melvin James
06:23
It was kinda fair, I believe. It was more, it was more unity back then, you know, when I was
homeless in ‘99, and 2000, my mom passed away in 2002. So, it was similar. It was bad. I
mean it’s not like the shelter like the Salvation Army out there, you know, you have people
wiggin’ out, buggin’ you, telling you what you can do and what you can’t do, you know,
disrespecting you, and you know it was, it was, it’s a lot of unity in the Salvation Army back
home, you know.
Kathleen Clark 07:07
Well, it sounds like relationships are really important to you. So did you, do you still keep in
contact with your siblings at all?
M
Melvin James
07:15
Oh yeah, I’m going home for Mother’s Day this year, I ain’t been home in 18 years for
Mother’s Day. You know, but I’m going home. I told my sisters there I'm coming home, they
like oh, it's about time! You know, but, you know, I always go home twice a year, anyway,
you know. Usually, about five years, six years back, only time I showed up at home was for
Fourth of July. I can't get past a holiday like Christmas or New Year's or Fourth of July
without somebody passing the way my path, so. I'm down to four sisters and two brothers.
And my oldest brother is still living and I'm the baby brother, still living, you know.
Everybody else they’ve passed on, you know, so. My nieces and nephews they kind of look
up to me, but my oldest brother, he stays in Florida. He stays in Florida so I’m the closest
Uncle around them that they’ve got. So, I make sure that all my nieces and nephews know
who’s Uncle Melvin. Yeah. When I go home they be like my oldest nieces and my second
nieces and my third nieces cause I’m a great-great-great-great Uncle, you know. My first
oldest niece and nephew, I got about 25 older nieces and nephews and I got about 36
great great nieces and nephews and I got 52 great great great nieces and nephews. So
they all look up to me, you know. And when I go home they like oh, Uncle Melvin. When
they tell their kids I’m comin’ home oh they’re gonna get spoiled. Cause when I be the
babysitter, I let ‘em do whatever they want to. If they fall down and skin their knees and
elbows I just laugh at them, I’m like get up and try it again. You gon say ouch one day, you
know. I keep up with my siblings.
Kathleen Clark 09:23
So when you ended up in Minnesota, how long do- were you living without a place to call
home?
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
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M
Melvin James
09:30
Oh for almost a year and a half, two years. I think about, yeah about two years, cause I
got my place at, where I'm standing now, I got my place at ’04, or ’05. I stayed on the
Salvation Army, well I stayed with my nephew for a year, a year and a half. Until he
started waiting. Then, I didn't know which way to go. I didn't know nothing about Mary
Jo's or Simpson’s, or any other of these places, you know, I just, basically just, followed the
crowd. You know and the crowd showed me my way. But uh, after I found out where Mary
Jo’s was, you know, I was kinda set, you know, I was laid back then, uh, it’s how I got my
place and I think in ’04, ’03, or ’05 I think I got my place, and stuff, you know.
Kathleen Clark 10:37
So when you got your place did you have to be on a wait list?
M
Melvin James
10:41
Well, basically, how I got my place, it was, it was a guy that was a community manager
over there and he brought 40 application over to Central Lutheran Church. And he gave
everybody the application, he did like, all you all gotta do is pass the background check,
I’m not gonna charge y’all first month rent if you pass it. So he moved all half of 40 in and
I'm only one still there. Out of the 40.
Kathleen Clark 11:20
Now recently. You almost had to leave your house or apartment
M
Melvin James
11:24
Yeah, I’ve been in my apartment 18 years and I was bell ringer for the- I’ve been a bell
ringer for the Salvation Army since I used to be homeless, I used to stay down there. I used
to bell ring. And that’s how I used to pay my rent and, uh, donate my plasma and stuff,
before I got on the fix income. I got on the fix income in 2015. And I didn’t know that I had
to turn in my check stubs and, you know, let them know I was working. I thought it was
peace work, you know. But along the way they tax me, you know, they took the whole, I
was making $750 a month. They went back three years, so they gon tax me, what I mean
by tax me they gon, I had to pay back my earnings that I’d made, so that was 750 dollars
and all they would give me was 43 dollars a month out of my check. So I almost lost my
house, you know. And what I didn’t understand was, I thought my housing was 30% of my
income and I figured that I didn’t have the money that I usually get, I figured that 30%, I
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
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thought my income, my rent should go down, you know, but it was gonna go down, but I
had to go all the way through the red tape for it to go down. You know, so. I winged myself
outta that, you know, you helped me out, this Central Lutheran helped me out, God’s
Mercy helped me out, you know. That brought be back up off bended knee, cause I was
about to get down on one knee, you know, along the way y’all helped me out. You know, I
appreciate y’all you know, got help, you got courage and got understanding. You know I
believe that’s, that’s fair that’s, you know, that’s fair love, you know? Fair love.
Kathleen Clark 13:38
Now earlier today you were talking about how people end up, you know, being in the
emergency shelter like Salvation Army should be a place to be for a moment, but not a
place to live.
M
Melvin James
13:54
Right
Kathleen Clark 13:55
Why do you feel like it’s turned into more of a place that people are kind of stuck in living
for years on end? Do you think that's changed, do you think it's the same, and why do you
think that's a problem?
M
Melvin James
14:10
Well, see now that's a problem cause people looking for a way out of life, you know you
know they just wanna live off the land, you know. Your courage is to upgrade yourself, you
know, to monitor what you do through life, you know. Life ain’t handed to you on a silver
spoon, you know. Some people just take advantage of that, you know. I think some people
might have gave up on uh gave up life, you know, but they still got their mind to think, you
know. I don't see no way, no how that a person with six senses can be homeless over 10 to
20 years, you know. I don't, you know, I just can't bear that in my mind. You know, you
know, why would you give up life, you know, you know, but I mean, living in the shelter is
formed to help you come off bended knee, you know, not for you to basically this is my
home. You know, this is not your home, really, you know, it's just a foundation for you to
come to, you know to help you so you won't be as poor it is as you wanna live, you know.
You can live a lot richer being poor, you know, and to be poor and to be poor, you know,
to be poor and to be poor. Because, uh, I heard a person tell me one time, I heard a person
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
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say that there ain’t no such thing as homeless, you know, because you got all of these
shelters that are housing you and feeding you, you know, if you got a place to go get a
meal, you’re not homeless. You know, homeless is I think homeless is a situation where
they don't have no bare bones, no, no shelters, or you know where you have to live off the
land, you know, but if you gotta a place where you can go and shower, change clothes
and stuff like that, you know. I heard this person say that. There ain’t no homeless, you
know, it just, it’s just, basically you’re just without. Without things, proper things, that you
outta be common to. You know. And uh, I don’t know, it’s just, you know.
Kathleen Clark 16:51
It almost sounds like houseless versus homeless. Right?
M
Melvin James
16:55
Right.
Kathleen Clark 16:59
So how did you end up hearing about the nurses at Central or the Health Commons? How
did you first come here and how did you hear about it?
M
Melvin James
17:09
Well, like I said, you know, back in 2003, 2005, when I got my homeless spot, I found out
about Central Lutheran Church. I used to follow where people go to be there, you know,
whether you used to go or be, you know, I used to follow the crowd, but I always stuck to
myself, you know, I'm always the outside looking in, you know. I see something good, you
know, I go investigate it, check it out, see if its right for me, you know. And when I came up
on Central Lutheran, you know, I’m like, this a place where peoples intervene and
understand how it is to be homeless, you know. Cause somewhere along the way some
peoples have came up on the, uh, original back by coming to the church. And, I think uh
some peoples, I think some churches love to give back, you know, cause, I guess they have,
everybody have a family that go through, you know, trials and tribulations, you know.
They understand about how a person can be vulnerable, you know, uh, uh, I think uh,
without things that they grew up with, things that they grew out of, you know, because,
uh… these churches, have helped, I mean, if you enlighten yourself on and understand
about what a church is, you know, it’ll help you, you know, it will help you, you know, you
just, I mean it ain’t gon be in the order that you want it to be, you know, but you gotta
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
Page 7 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
improvise the situation that they in, you know. Cause they have life after this too, they
have a family they have to raise, you know. You not their only responsibility, you know, you
have to bring responsibility to the table too, you know. You just can’t take on, just can’t
accept all of their responsibility for you, you know, you have to bring, you gotta bring
some responsibility to the table.
Kathleen Clark 20:03
So what are some reasons that you or other people come to the nurses at Central?
M
Melvin James
20:09
Well, when I started coming to you guys, I had a need, you know, not a physical, mental
need, nothing like that, you know, but I can feel the enjoyment, you know, from you guys,
you know, I can feel the life, you know. The light that you, that y’all share, you know, with
each and every one of us, you know. And some people, you know, they, I think some
people just ain’t understand it, but I do, you know. I know what I like, you know, and if I run
into a situation where somebody is talking, you know, angry or big, uh, you know, being
above life, you know, I don’t deal with it, you know. You going talking to arrogant, you
know, miss me, you know, miss me with that because I can talk arrogant too, but that ain’t
gonna lead us back to stage one. But I can feel, I can feel enjoyment, you know. When I
met you guys, you know I used to- didn’t say nothing. You know I was always a closed
mouth, you know. I was always a closed mouth, but I got to learning y’all and y’all got to
showing me both, how y’all feel about a person and what y’all got to feed a person, you
know. Got that understanding, you know all that. Then I started opening up, yeah. Since I
am a joker, you know, I like to joke, you know. I like to start my conversation off with a
joke, you know to get to the real, real thing that I really need to talk to you about, to ask
you about, you know.
Kathleen Clark 22:20
Well, so, how do you think we could better welcome people in this space, or do people feel
welcomed, or how can we do that better? Well, I think people, I think good peoples, well
everybody’s good you know, everybody’s good. You can take the good with the bad, the
bad with the good, but I think y’all is more, more, more of a slice of cake, you know, more
of a slice of cake. Once you taste your cake you taste how sweet it is, you just go keep
inviting yourself back for more and more and more, you know, to get another slice, you
know. Get another slice, you know. And uh. Y’all a good welcoming at. Y’all good. I mean,
it’s, when you come in here, most people like, I don’t know, they just like to be around you
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
Page 8 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
guys. They like to be around you guys, you know. Well, I do have a lot of students who
work in-patient nearby in different hospitals and see some folks that are here that they
often see like in the ER and say that people often act different when they are here versus
in the ER setting. What do you think that's about, why do you think that people might act
different in the ER, versus coming in and asking for blood pressure or something, in this
setting?
M
Melvin James
23:55
It’s because they, they feel more comfortable around you, you know. I mean I’m quite sure
they feel comfortable in the ER, but you have all of these moving pictures, you know,
moving around, you know, and you don't know which, which, what picture to point the
finger at, you know. Here, you ain’t got to point the finger, you know, it’s just nothing but
love, you know. It’s just something about you guys and y’all area, you know, that draws
attention and everybody just want to be around, you know, around the nurses, you know,
because I believe y’all both down to earth, you know, you ain’t got too many pictures to
point a finger at, you know, you get, you know, and some people just can’t, just can’t take
no for an answer. And since I've been coming in here, what y’all use as a word no, it gives
a lot of people strength, you know, y'all don’t use the word no as a mean thing or an angry
thing, you know, but you know, I guess in the ER you know, you know, it's like, you know,
they be saying it to you in an arguing way, you know, so you feel not capable of being
helped. You know, you just being like a Guinea pig that’s being used, you know, and here,
y'all, y'all filter out all the, they’ll try to filter out all the weakness that somebody come and
talk to you about. You try to help them, you know, mentor their lives, you know. And I, I
think that's a good thing, you know, everybody just feels warm and welcome around here.
I know I do, you know. That’s why I come in here I do my leisure, that’s why I come in here.
It’s like, it’s just like, it’s like y’all is, y’all are like my new mentors, you know, in life, you
know, every time I come in here, I'm not looking for nothing. I ain’t looking for no handouts
or, you know, I'm just looking for construction, you know, construction, you know, that
makes my day, makes my next hours go, you know, not crazy but, you know, go wild and
loose, and understanding, you know, that's why I come in here, you know. I guess about- if
Mondays, Thursdays, if I sleep over nine o’clock, after ten o'clock, if I miss not coming
through here, I’m like, oh man my day gon be rough, because I didn't get to come over to
meet my peoples, you know, they give me enjoyment in life, you know, they don't tell me
no all the time, you know.
Kathleen Clark 26:49
So you volunteered here a couple, many times, actually. So, how is it for you when you
volunteer?
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, 2018
Page 9 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
M
Melvin James
26:57
It was nice, you know, it was nice, I mean I get answered some questions that I couldn't
answer, you know and people come to you, and you know, and look for answers, you
know. Look for that certain question. You know they got to hear those certain words, you
know, that you can provide for them, you know. And sometimes I- but I enjoyed
volunteering, I enjoyed volunteering. I mean it helped me out, you know, it helped me out,
and I understand how peoples are- you know, how I, I am, you know. It helped me out, you
know, with my mental stage.
Kathleen Clark 27:38
So what do you think we could do better in the Health Commons?
M
Melvin James
27:42
I really couldn’t say, right now y’all, right now I think y’all, right now I think y’all are
complete. You know, whatever you think that you can offer us, you know, it’ll be complete,
you know. Right now, everything is, to me, it’s complete. I can’t see, go around and see no
faults, that y’all ain’t serving the peoples well, and stuff, y’all serving the people just, you
know, just as promised that’s needed.
Kathleen Clark 28:30
Some people have said things like we should have more days or we should do outreach or
things like that, but, do you think that we need to do more or is the two days fine? Well,
two days, an extra day wouldn’t be bad, you know, an extra day wouldn’t be bad. It’s the
people- I mean, try an extra day and if the people show up, you know, the people have to
show up, you know. So what do you think some of the biggest barriers are for people who
are experiencing homelessness or marginally house to access things around health,
whether it's healthcare or get basic needs met, like, what do you think the biggest barriers
are? I believe, I think uh, most people need to be talked to, but they won’t- some people,
like think this, they kickin theyself bout to slip into a mental state and they come, they
hoping they will come that y’all guys are here to help them be positive, you know, before
they slip into that mental state, you know, and uh, I think they, they count on you guys,
you know, I think they really do, you know. Because like I said, you know, when I miss a
day, my day, I’m saying, I’m just like, I missed out on a whole, I missed out on a whole lot of
stuff, you know. So you know that we have a lot of nurses who volunteer and students. So
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, Page
2018 10 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
if you could tell them one thing when they're coming in that they should think about doing
when they're working the folks when we are open, what's one thing that the nurses or
volunteers should be thinking about?
M
Melvin James
30:34
Well, if they first time, they’ll think about, they’ll think everybody that you looking to would
say if they first time. You know, if they first time. You just, you know, just follow the good,
you know, just listen to it. Listen to the voice, you know, of a person, you know, and, you
know, don’t challenge it, just listen and say, ok, this sounds well enough. It sounds well
enough, you know.
Kathleen Clark 31:08
That's all the questions that I have. Is there anything that you want to add that we didn't
ask? Sam, did you have a question?
M
Melvin James
31:22
Well, me, I like coming here, for once, you know. Like I said, when I miss a day, when I miss
a Monday or a Thursday, I’m like- even when I be going out of town, you know, like, like,
I'm going home for Mother's Day and I'm leaving on the ninth, then Imma be, my mind
gonna be like, oh, man. What did they do, you know, aw man, what did they doing, you
know. I miss what makes me excited, you know, and when you miss something that makes
you excited it seems like the whole day is just ruined, you know. Because you missed the
magic, you missed the feeding part, the gross part, the education part, you know, it seems
like you just missed something. Other than that, you know, I’m well off, I’m happy. I’m bout
complete now. I’m bout complete with you guys. I just- Y’all just wonderful. Y’all just really
wonderful.
Kathleen Clark 32:35
Well this has been really fun because you're such a quiet person. So to hear your thoughts
has been great. So thank you for taking the time to talk with us and share your input on
Health Commons and what we should do better. So.
M
Melvin James
32:51
Alright, whatever, whatever will make the well water clean enough.
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, Page
2018 11 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Oral History Interview with Melvin James, Page
2018 12 of 12
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less
Oral History Interview with Mercedes
Ramsey, 2018
Tue, 3/9 12:43PM
33:29
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
commons, called, people, point, ramsey, health, housing, minneapolis, stayed, women, bus,
drinking, group, area, job, infection, hygiene kit, church, apartment, real
SPEAKERS
Samantha Gibson, Merc... Show more
Oral History Interview with Mercedes
Ramsey, 2018
Tue, 3/9 12:43PM
33:29
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
commons, called, people, point, ramsey, health, housing, minneapolis, stayed, women, bus,
drinking, group, area, job, infection, hygiene kit, church, apartment, real
SPEAKERS
Samantha Gibson, Mercedes Ramsey
S
Samantha Gibson
00:02
Hello, my name is Samantha Gibson. I'm an AmeriCorps VISTA newly working at health
Commons. And here today to do this oral history. Could you please introduce yourself for
the recording?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 00:11
My name is Mercedes Ramsey and I live downtown Minneapolis.
S
Samantha Gibson
00:21
Thank you for joining me today for the oral history project. Before we begin, I just want to
confirm that you consented to being interviewed and having that interview recording
stored at Augsburg which will make it available to the public.
M
Mercedes Ramsey 00:32
Okay.
Samantha Gibson
00:34
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
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Transcribed by https://otter.ai
S
Samantha Gibson
00:34
I also would like to note for the recording that we are at Health Commons right now. So
there may be some background noise as people are walking through. Exactly. To get us
started. Could you tell me a little bit about where you grew up and who you called family?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 00:54
I grew up in Detroit, Michigan um, raised by my father who's born in Mexico City. I have
five brothers no sisters. Went to school, grade school, junior high, high school, did a little
college for data entry for two years. Basically I call my family my dad and my brothers.
S
Samantha Gibson
01:30
When you went to school, were you still in Michigan?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 01:34
Yeah.How old was I?
S
Samantha Gibson
01:37
Well, when did you come to Minnesota?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 01:38
I came to Minnesota 1983. I was on my way to make it short, my story. I was on my way to
San Francisco, California. My dad started a greenhouse landscaping business, so he sold
the house and everything. My brothers and him flew, at that time I was not getting on no
plane. So I took the Greyhound. Well, the bus had to stop here for two hours, something's
wrong with the bus, so they had to switch buses. So, me being nosy and curious I noticed
you guys had skyways. At that time, I called it a tunnel. So I got curious and I ended up all
the way down by the main post office here in Minneapolis and I got lost. Fortunately, I ran
into an elder couple because they have different high rises apartments near the post
office. So I asked them how to get back to the Greyhound bus station and they- I got
back there and missed my bus. I had to call my Dad. Of course, he hollered at me in
Spanish, you know asking me why you always be doing this. Why why why. So, he sent me
some money for at that time where the Greyhound bus station is now is where the old one
used to be and across the street was the Best Western Motel. So I went over there and he
sent money over there, I stayed there for about a week. Of course he kept calling me,
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
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asking me when I was gonna come to San Francisco. Well, I got to where I had applied for
a housekeeping job at Best Western. One of the housekeepers told me about it because I
told her about my situation. So, and then she told me where the new jail is downtown
used to be the old welfare building so I went down there and I spent from the time they
open to at least two- three o'clock in the afternoon, trying to get help. Eventually they
gave me a county voucher to go to the Drake hotel, which used to house chronic alcoholic
men. And then one side was a shelter for men and women and a few families. So, did all
that and got my first apartment on 27th and Garfield. At that time, my apartment was a
one bedroom, paid $500 a month plus utilities, it got to a point where I was working
different temps like Masterson, Atlas staffing, different ones within Minneapolis. I got a
permanent job at old Dutch potato chips, then it went to Target warehouse out in Fridley.
Let's see, got in to a relationship with somebody, it didn't work out too well. So I more
ventured, and uh stayed in at the Simpsons, we had to go down there and at that time
they only let a few women stay. Went down there on Mondays did a lottery. They called
your name like Bingo, and you got a bed, they gave you a mat, blanket, pillow, sheets. At
that time they didn't have a women's shelter. So I took what I did, living, working,
struggling at times and it got to a point where I was using marijuana, I was drinking
alcohol. I was- that first three years I was sniffing cocaine. It got to a real bad habit and I
think, what, I just more went cold turkey with cocaine. Um, and then during that time from
83 to I say about 90 I went back and forth to home. I find eventually made it to San
Francisco. My dad wanted me to stay there, but they didn't have much resources like they
do here in Minnesota. Any other state I stayed like California, Texas, New York, Florida,
Michigan basically helps families that have children, very few resources for single people.
The last time I came back was in 96. I left in 91 about 91, 92. I was pregnant. My daughter’s
dad is from here. Went back home. Did my pregnancy. My daughter was born in 93. As she
got older, I say about six, seven, I asked if she wanted to come with me back to Minnesota.
At that time, my dad taught her Spanish, everything, she grew up not, how could you not
always eat fast food and she, um, he wouldn't give her that. So as she got older she was
vegetarian. Okay. Um, I came back here like I said cause of the different resources and
that. Eventually, my son came here because of the fact that he wasn't getting along with
this step mom. So he came here. He started school over North but him being 15, he was
already six foot. So I had problems with parents and children over North High because of
the fact that him being so hot being so tall, and more like solid chest, they thought he was
a grown man. So there is a few, um, few students would pick on him and cause a fight. So I
asked my welfare worker, because at that time I got on welfare. But, um, this was before
the EBT card came out. No, it just came out so she suggested with him. Um, I started him
at Southwest High here in Minneapolis and they had a life skills program. I don't know if
they still have that there now but it helped him get into doing working skills, the group
would go to different parks within the city, redo them, remodel them and stuff. It got to
where he got a little job at the VA and he liked that because he's helping the elders and
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
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Transcribed by https://otter.ai
he liked hearing the stories from the elder men. It got to a point where he hanging out
with the wrong type of boys, he got in trouble when Mall of America first opened. Him and
his little group of friends took the express bus out there. Excuse me. Instead of trying to
ride the bus back, someone dared him to hotwire an Expedition. So he did it, trying to
show his, you know, friends that you know I'm not scared I'll do you know whatever. Well
at that time I'm working 12 hour shifts at a temp service. So I get this call. Ah, yes, this is
Hennepin County Sheriff's Department, we have your son here at the juvenile detention
center. As I put him on the phone, he's like, you gonna come and get me? I said no, I’m at
work and -excuse my French- who the hell told you to steal the truck? Well, they dared
me. So if they dared you to jump off the Hennepin Ave bridge into the Mississippi would
you do it? He int say nothing. All he kept saying is you gonna come and get me. And I told
him no, you did the crime, now you're going to do time so of course he called me all kinds
of names. I'm not a good mom, moms wouldn't leave their sons in jail and I just- I hung up.
Of course, the Sheriff Department called me back and said that I could come and get him
in the morning. Sorry. So, of course I had to go to family court and all that. In 99, I sent
him back home because his dad needed to, he needed to be more with his dad and then
him being growing like a weed, he just- he would disrespect me at times. So it got to a
point that I sent him back home. I went on with my life, did what I did. Working, staying at
Simpson’s women's shelter, which they opened over on 11th and 19th off of Franklin behind
the bakery that’s on Franklin now. After five o'clock, we would, um, it would become the
shelter for the women in the church which is called Community Emergency Services. So, I
stayed there off and on, um, got into a relationship again, it didn't work. I got to a point
where, oh, what I reached in my early 40s and it came to a point then in my life, I need to
stop drinking, I need to stop doing the things I was doing, um, I had an apartment over on
27th and Columbus Avenue, not too far from Abbott hospital. I got put in the hospital
cause I got an infection on my left arm real bad and being diabetic, um, the infection got
real, real close. I had been drinking, bumped my elbow on the corner of my glass table
and a couple days later, my housing advocate came to visit me and, she's like, Mercedes,
what’s with your arm? And here that infection kept going up and going up and with my
heart murmur, she took me to Hennepin County Emergency Room and they took me right
into the, um, into the surgery room. I had five surgeries on my left arm because of the
infection was so bad that they had to put a blood vac to try to- to try to pull it out, but
that wasn't working as fast as they wanted it to. So they put me in this chamber looking
thing. I had to wear this mask. You know how, how airplanes, they go way up and they
have to wear that mask? Well, my first try, she said, just be calm, relax, she’s like, I can put
some music on for you. I said, no, that's fine. She put that mask over my face and she's
like, now, just breathe normal, she said, you'll- you'll feel- you'll feel the air kind of getting
lighter and lighter. And when that was happening, I just like panicked, and I'm like, I can’t
breathe! Get me out of here! She's like, calm down! Calm down! You can’t get all hysterical
like this! They had to sedate me so they could get that infection out. Other than that,
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
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Transcribed by https://otter.ai
there would have had a problem with me all the time. Um, it got to a point my housing
advocate was worried about my- my safety where I was at. I had just went to a- excuse
me. I had just went to a social security hearing because my disabilities. I have rheumatoid
and osteoporosis real bad in my legs, my arms, and my lower back. So, went to the
hearing, I kept getting up, and the judge kept saying, you know, Miss Ramsey what's
wrong? And I said, I can't sit too long, I gotta get up and move, I says, or else I just have
this pain. So he told the little recorder, you know, record, that, you know, Miss Ramsey’s
getting up, walking around, blah blah blah. So of course the social security guys that tries
finding- looking a job that's more suitable for your needs and not, he told the judge, well
she can't sit no more than longer than 15, 20 minutes or stand that long, or even on an
eight hour job cause she's so used to work in light industrial, it's gonna be hard for her. So
the judge says, well, Miss Ramsey, is there like a desk job, you can do? And the guy goes,
well then she still gonna have to get up and walk around and stuff, you know. So it came
to the point, two weeks later, not even two weeks, I got accepted for my disability. In the
meantime, my housing advocate’s looking for something more safe for me and she came
upon Anne’s, one of Anne’s property. Anne is a housing service here within Minneapolis
and they have properties in Chaska, Chanhassen, all within St. Paul/Minneapolis suburbs.
Well, we were- she was telling me about the Continental. And I was like, well, let's go there.
So, the management at the time showed me a unit, and , you know, the common areas,
things like that and got to a point I moved in February, 3, 2011, and I'm still there. I went
through a real hard thing the beginning of my year because I had one big high they called
it one big drinking episode. It got to a point that I don't even remember how I got in my
unit or what happened. All I know is, management came to my room and said that if I
don't stop my drinking I'm jeopardizing my housing. So I went cold turkey that whole year.
It was hard, cause, to this day, I still see the people that I drink and they're suffering out
there. I've had three associates, can't really say friends because I just see them around
Minneapolis, die, frozed, um, but since the Continental, I've been to three neighborNeighborworks of America Leadership Conferences, I'm a participant resident of our
Resident Planning Committee, where we make, um, where we get like different activities
within the residents in the building. We went through construction, not too long ago. So
everybody has their own little kitchen area, two electric stove, um, one of them
convention ovens, the little tiny little ovens and it came with a cart. Um, what else. And of
course, you got some that dislike me and some like me. There's some that, I guess, kind of,
how can you say, jealous because of the fact that I'm doing good within my life and doing
stuff within the community and that and, it's just, you know, people that wanna see you
down like them. But also, you wanna, you wanna build yourself and be better instead of,
you know, being out here in the- in the city here, you know, no housing, you know, on
drugs, things like that. Well, it got to a point where my health and my housing is more
important than any alcohol or anything else. Um, so like I said, I've been there since 2011,
and I'm in the verge of moving. With all this- with all the new residents in our building, and
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
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the county started this, um, GRH. It's a group residential housing and we've got a lot of
new ones and don't want to obey the rules and sneaking people in and drinking and
smoking and, um. Back here in January, early January, Maryland apartments who are also
owned by Anne, um, I signed up for a one bedroom wait on their waiting list. I was number
nine a couple months ago, now I'm number four, and then just last week management
called me and told me I'm next, I’m moving out. So god is good, I am thankful for him. I
may not had him in my life like he wants me to, but it came to a point that he's the only
man in my life that provides with my housing, clothes on my back, food in my tummy, and
safety and I thank him every morning when I wake up. And I'm not trying to tear up, so.
But that's a little part of my life.
S
Samantha Gibson
21:33
Thank you for sharing.
M
Mercedes Ramsey 21:35
You're welcome.
S
Samantha Gibson
21:36
You've mentioned coming a really long way and how involved you are now. That's really
amazing. And you, you mentioned all the resources that are available in Minnesota that
help you make things work.
M
Mercedes Ramsey 21:50
Yeah.
S
Samantha Gibson
21:50
How does Health Commons fit into that? Do you remember how you found out about
Health Commons? Your first time coming?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 21:56
Um, Health Commons, why, I used to come to the church in the 80s, when they had their
clothing room. And it used to be in the old church which is now part torn down, um, they
used to have it in the- in the lower auditorium. Huge big room. And, one of my elder
friends, um, can I say her name? Well, anyways, one of my elder friends, Joyce, she told me
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
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about Health Commons and how on Thursdays, they were doing women's group. And she
said, yeah, we have little snacks, and do little activities, and blah blah blah, she’s like, you
should come! I was like, well, ain’t it for elder ladies? She’s, no, no! Any age, you can come.
So I went one time and Katie and two other ladies from Augsburg were there, they're more
up age ladies. I enjoyed it. We did, uh, we did a little writing, we did, uh, what is it,
charades, we did other little games, but got to a point because the women's group was in
the Health Commons area and the guys would come in there and we'd have to say, no,
you know, this is only for women, and of course you get some men like, bleh! Why all the
women get to do stuff! But, um, I enjoyed Thursdays. I'd like to- I'd like to come. We, the
two ladies that were running it. We got to a point, um, they took a picture of the group,
unfortunately I wasn’t there, I was sick at the time. But, I mean every Thursday I was like,
oh, I can't wait till Thursday go there, you know, meet people, do little activity. I even got
to the point when I was go to the clothing line first and then go to a women's group, I
would see different women and say, hey, you know, we got a women's group over here
and lah lah lah. And, some would come, of course, and, you know, stay for a while and
then leave. But we had a real nice group at one time. I think it's cause, um, the ladies that
were hosting it, um, they, some found out that they had, um, tokens. So of course they'd
come and say, oh, I need token for this and blah blah blah, and then they’d leave, and
then you wouldn't see them for a while, um. It got to where the two ladies that would run
it, Joyce would take over. You know, set up, put out the snacks, you know, make coffee,
things like that. So I enjoyed that. But Health Commons, um, I went in there, grabbed me a
hygiene kit. And uh, what was it, times I would go in there for cough drops, or, you know,
underclothing, socks, and I liked- I liked it. There was one year, they did their 20th
anniversary, and I did a video for them. Well, me and two other people on how we came
about, how with Health Commons, and I told them that, if it wasn't for them, I think the
homeless population that's out here now, I don't think, because some don't- may not have
insurance, some do but don't wanna sit in a waiting room all day or, you know, clinic, so
they could come to the Health Commons and get their feet soaked, get hygiene stuff, get
things that they need and give Katie a hug, and Martha pass out candy. So. Health
Commons is good- is good for- within the downtown Minneapolis area.
S
Samantha Gibson
26:25
So like you're mentioning now, how Health Commons might compare to other clinics and
like you mentioned before, your experience having to be in the hospital and get multiple
surgeries, can you tell me about how the nursing care you receive at Health Commons
compares to care you get elsewhere?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 26:44
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
Page2018
7 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Well, Commons, it's not like- like you would go to your regular clinic. You can't go to your
regular clinic and get hygiene kit or socks or undergarments or, um, little basic things like
cough drops or vitamins or something. Um, Katie and her crew don't pass out, you know,
narcotic drugs or anything like that. They also help the women who have children, with
the diapers, the baby wipes, maybe sometimes the little ones will get socks too, or training
panties and things like that. Like I’ve said, your primary clinic, it won't do that. Maybe
sometimes you'll get a cup of coffee or something.
S
Samantha Gibson
27:47
And the things that initially brought you to health Commons, what keeps you coming
now?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 27:52
Yeah. And uh, well, due to construction, we're stuck out here in a trailer, but I think if we
were in our new, eventually get to our new spot, we'll have more room and like I said, I like
coming cause, you know, Katie, Martha, all of them. I like to meet the new nurses who
come and volunteer and just see the faces that come up in here and, you know, grab
things that they need, coats, pants, t-shirts, dresses, household items. I believe if you get
into a new place, you can bring your lease, you know, they'll help you with the welcome
basket with cleaning stuff maybe they'll at times have the brooms and mops, but you get
a welcome basket.
S
Samantha Gibson
28:48
Do you have any other hopes for the new space?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 28:57
I would say, I know once it's done, it's going to have more people coming in because we'll
have more room and everything will be on one floor, you won't have to go down the
basement and things like that. So I'm looking forward to the new church.
S
Samantha Gibson
29:22
Is there anything else that could be done better at Health Commons?
Mercedes Ramsey 29:26
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
Page2018
8 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
M
Mercedes Ramsey 29:26
Um, maybe, once they get into the new church and that, just make it more welcoming.
And why I say that is, um, you know, there being- there's a lot of new people coming in the
cities and some don't even know about the Health Commons. So when people come in
and that, be greeted and let them know this is- this is being served here and you can get
this and if they don't have it, they can refer you to another place. I also would like to see,
since we're out here in the trailer, and we have a resource room, I also like to see that
resource room be there too.
S
Samantha Gibson
30:26
What challenges do you think people in the community encounter when they're trying to
get healthcare?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 30:33
I think it’s cause insurance. And some can get it, others can't. But I think once you get that
insurance and that, you should be able to have the opportunity to get to whatever you
need done. Eyes, eye glasses, you know, take care of your health and that, um, because
we don't know how long we’ll have this Minnesota health or whatever. Thanks to your
lovely president.
S
Samantha Gibson
31:07
Is there anything you think nurses should know? When taking care of people who may be
experiencing homelessness? Or who are marginally housed?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 31:16
That's kind of hard because you don’t- when they come, you don't know who's homeless
or who has a house and that. I know Katie and them used to talk to people, you know, ask
them, are you in a shelter? Do you have a home? You know, things like that. But I think all
of us go through some type of challenge, challenge of waking up, facing a new day,
deciding oh, what am I going to do today? Do I go to Central Lutheran and have lunch,
grab me some goodies or somebody out there looking for a job or or housing, but it's a
struggle every day.
S
Samantha Gibson
32:17
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
Page2018
9 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Is there anything else you'd like to talk about that? I didn't ask?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 32:22
No.
S
Samantha Gibson
32:24
Any final comments about Health Commons?
M
Mercedes Ramsey 32:29
That I hope that when I turn 80, 90 years old you guys are still here. Oh, and I forgot. Foot
soaks. Everybody, everybody, well, I can't talk- I should listen to my own advice. You know
I love the foot soaks, the way they take care of your feet and that, I'd like to see more of
that. Maybe one area, when we get into the new church, be one area set for foot soaks,
with another area done for you know like the hygiene kits and diapers and all that.
Something like they had over before the church went under construction, but more more
of a space now.
S
Samantha Gibson
33:23
Thank you.
M
Mercedes Ramsey 33:24
You're welcome.
S
Samantha Gibson
33:25
For talking with me today.
Oral History Interview with Mercedes Ramsey,
Page 2018
10 of 10
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Tue, 3/9 1:31PM
22:53
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
commons, talk, items, health, guest, volunteers, katie, homeless, companionship, giving, helps,
outreach, met, augsburg, care, understand, experience, sit, practicum, noah
SPEAKERS
Samantha Gibson, Yuni Yang
... Show more
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Tue, 3/9 1:31PM
22:53
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
commons, talk, items, health, guest, volunteers, katie, homeless, companionship, giving, helps,
outreach, met, augsburg, care, understand, experience, sit, practicum, noah
SPEAKERS
Samantha Gibson, Yuni Yang
S
Samantha Gibson
00:02
Hello, my name is Samantha Gibson, and I'm in AmeriCorps VISTA who works at Health
Commons. Would you please introduce yourself for the recording?
Y
Yuni Yang 00:11
Yes, my name is a Yuni Yang, I'm a DNP FNP track in Augsburg University.
S
Samantha Gibson
00:23
Great, I'd like to reaffirm that you consented to the storage of this interview and the
transcript at the library at Augsburg, where it will be made available to the public.
Y
Yuni Yang 00:33
Yes.
S
Samantha Gibson
00:34
Thank you. All right, to get us started, could you please tell me a little bit about where you
grew up and who you called family?
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 1 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Y
Yuni Yang 00:43
Where I grew up? I was born and raised in South Korea and I came to United States about
15 years ago. Um, my parents, um, still live in Korea, but, once- after I moved to America I
married. So I live with my husband, and my five years old son, and my mother in law and
my brother in law.
S
Samantha Gibson
01:18
Great, thank you. How did you end up at Augsburg?
Y
Yuni Yang 01:24
I was looking for a nurse practitioner program, and um, we're not- while I'm searching
program, I was very impressed about transcultural nursing here and different approach for
nursing and being a provider, such as the holistic care, transcultural, a lot of other
wisdoms from, um, different, um, like such as oriental wisdoms, not just the westernized
medical model. So, I started program here.
S
Samantha Gibson
02:10
And how did you become involved with the Health Commons?
Y
Yuni Yang 02:14
The past spring semester, I took a class that is politics of health care and also from the
practicum, our practicum hours, I picked the Health Commons because, um, the Health
Commons introduce, um, about homeless people. So I had opportunity to meet them, and
also the Health Commons, they have a different model of carrying people. So I- that’s why
I signed up
S
Samantha Gibson
02:53
And how well do you think your experience at Health Commons fit what with what you
were learning in that course?
Y
Yuni Yang 03:04
This is a great opportunity actually meet a real person, like a homeless person, and
engage with them and then, um, hear their stories and knowing about them as- through a
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 2 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
real person. Like a personal experience engagement, rather than just reading books or
watching videos. So, there's a really live, really close interaction, you know, so, I wanted to
know how we can help like a marginalized, such as the homeless or low-income people, as
a nurse, how we can care them. So that actually helped me- to introduce me different
aspect of nursing care and the different approach to client as a nurse.
S
Samantha Gibson
04:01
So is there something that you feel you'll take forward from this experience in your nursing
practice?
Y
Yuni Yang 04:07
I wish so, um, I think so. Um, actually- the director, Katie, um, Clark, actually professor, and
she- she showed me a different model to approach the homeless people such as, um, not
just diagnosis or giving some basic education or screening, but more like understanding
them, being with them, how we can approach them, how we can build trust, relationship,
not just giving or just treating their medical problems but basic approaches understand
them more, get to know them more, before we diagnosis people, we educate. So it really
helped me understand the population, marginalized population.
S
Samantha Gibson
05:16
So, has this experience or how has this experience changed any biases that you may have
had about people experiencing homelessness or marginally housed individuals?
Y
Yuni Yang 05:35
Previously, I thought they are mainly just seeking resource, seeking materials, items, um,
some free stuff, but now it’s more understanding they’re more complex, understand about
their background, how they became a- homeless. There's many other different stories,
background, not they are just lazy or just- not a failure but just environmental hardness, or
suddenly losing jobs, some mental health. So, each person have their stories, became
homeless, we can’t just judge, they are homeless now. They are just rely on to materials,
free place to sleep, or free food. It's not like that. They do have their own story. So, we
really need to understand their story. Get to know them. That helps them to moving
forward, or the Health Commons gave, um, it’s more like a support system. Like, um,
companionship. This, I felt like, is not more like another someone is the higher, someone is
just receiving, or giving and receiving, not- not position, but it's more like a
companionship, friendship, so that helped. I’m sorry, I actually forgot the questions while
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 3 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
talking. I actually want to see the questions.
S
Samantha Gibson
07:10
Well you- you talked about people's individual situations and how those- everyone has a
unique situation. What strengths did you learn or hear from some of the people that you
met?
Y
Yuni Yang 07:35
One of their strengths, um, I think, their resilience. Most of them are walking and find a
place to sleep, find a place to eat. They don't mind walking. One of guests told me he
does not have any high blood pressure issue because he walks a lot to find a place to go.
But very cold weather, I was there through the February to- February, March, April, so it's
very cold outside, but they will prepare gloves, hats, and thick boots and clothing and
they- it’s hard, but they seems to not- not to mind about being cold or walking outside. So
this can be their strengths, how they survive when it’s a hard environment, cold weather.
In the- one of the- ah, actually from the outreach, Katie- Katie and I met Noah, and
maybe can be changed now, but Noah, who sleeps on the street through the winter and
the first place I found him, actually, he slept underneath the- the hotel building but it's the
back of the hotel in the parking lot, but he just slept- he put a tent underneath about heat
that vent so that caused, the heat is constantly going out from- from the building. So
actually the spot he found was very warm through the entire 24 hours. So, there is a smart,
he found a really good spot to survive with the cold winter night. So that is their strengths.
S
Samantha Gibson
09:32
So you also talked about, um, how Health Commons has a sense of companionship or
friendship. It's sort of a supportive environment. How would you suggest we can better
accompany people on their journey of health? So, whether that be by attitude or, for
example, having longer hours or adding more outreach services?
Y
Yuni Yang 09:56
Right, right. Um, I wish I do know about original setting in the church, rather than trailer,
because I can’t compare how large of space actually we had in the church Health
Commons before. Um, but inside the trailer Health Commons they had about, I will say
maybe four to five chairs and when I- is the first day when I went there, I met one guest.
He's asking about eyedrops but I couldn't find it, because it’s my first day, so I ask him
come inside and then sit while I'm finding items. So he came in, was sat in the chair, while I
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 4 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
am finding stuff. So while he is- while sitting, I am able to start talking. So, I see that many
guests just stop by, just standing in front of the door, asking some items, some volunteersthey handout items, they are walk away. But if we ask them to come in and have a sit
while we are finding items, then we can kind of host more, the welcome more, not just a
standing just kinda getting items, just ask them sit, and maybe coffee or something to
drink, and then we can talk to more. So I actually had two experience, two guest. I asked
each guest, actually, come inside Health Commons, ask them sit, that kind of the starting
point, I am able to talk longer conversation and then both- of both of them looked very
welcomed. If I asked them to come inside. So, I would suggest maybe a larger area and
then more chairs and then if the volunteers kind of, not just handing the items, ask them
to come on in, have a seat, it’s maybe not necessary talk too long, kind of, time period, but
at least just they- they are welcomed. Have a seat, something like that.
S
Samantha Gibson
12:10
So you mentioned moving back into a more permanent space. Do you have any other
hopes for that space?
Y
Yuni Yang 12:29
I think- I heard they have a foot care before they move to trailer. I think, it’s also this really
good continuing service -foot care- and some like- some lobby, or some place can just sit
and talk together. Yeah if we can organize more items, make it easy to find something to
hand it to them. That would help.
S
Samantha Gibson
13:01
So you said kind of the organization of the items, right, make it a little easier?
Y
Yuni Yang 13:06
Organize items, um, yeah it’s not necessarily kind of a making a note how many items to
give. Oh, actually that was a little bit confused, how many items I can give. Diaper, I
understand, 10. The socks, one pair. The others and the underwears and creams, lotions, I
kind of- I’m not sure how many I can give. But I understand, beginning, Katie explained it’s
all free stuff, there’s no judgment, no restriction, we can give how many they wants to get.
But if it can be organized a little bit, a bit quicker, to help them to find some stuff. But
actually, it’s disorganized, so, it helps me to ask a guest to sit. So, I think either way is fine,
but if there’s some more organized, labeled items, maybe the host work
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 5 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
S
Samantha Gibson
13:59
Were there other things that could have been easier or better for the volunteer
experience? Was scheduling easy?
Y
Yuni Yang 14:07
Scheduling was easy, um, because I'm able to go to calendar, then make a schedule, that
was easy. Uh, parking was hard to find it, but it was during the construction. Um, I actually
recommend if someone volunteer, maybe, at least two times a visit, it helps, it really helps.
The first time is kind of exploring, what this place, and the second time, get to know more
about other volunteers and guests, and then a little bit comfortable. Um, engage more,
and also maybe longer hours also will help if we really want to talk to the person people if
you want to talk or having a conversation longer hours would help, too.
S
Samantha Gibson
15:02
So you said that you were at Health Commons for a few months, right?
Y
Yuni Yang 15:07
Um, At least five or six times through the-
S
Samantha Gibson
15:10
During those months- So did you do that just for your practicum hours, or did you choose
to come back more than was required?
Y
Yuni Yang 15:18
During those months. Um, I didn’t remain here for practicum hours, I wanted to come back,
once we moved to- back to the church, um, kind of knowing about more space and also,
spending more time to understanding them, and, um, yes.
S
Samantha Gibson
15:39
What do you think you gained being there over a longer period of time that someone who
only comes once might not realize or might not have had the opportunity to do?
Yuni Yang 15:57
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 6 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Y
Yuni Yang 15:57
I do have a more- I- I- I've seen more what other volunteers what they're doing and or so, I
kind of understand Katie's role or so, not just handing out on some items, but outreach or
so. And also, um, dynamics ifone concern arose, such as Noah’s case, kind of, some- somesome questions or problems arose: how we can solve problems together, such as other
volunteers or so, um, understand about what's going on some particular guest, what is the
particular concerns? So, we can gathering together talk to know, so I kind of understand
the more other issues, not just seeing guests one time, just giving some items. So, I dowould see more dynamics, if you come more, and the more broad role about the Health
Commons.
S
Samantha Gibson
17:02
How might your experience apply to another type of work setting a hospital setting or
wherever else you work?
Y
Yuni Yang 17:17
I'm working in primary care setting right now as a triage nurse, then on the back to the
beginning about each one has story, background. That really helps me, not kind of
judging client or patient with what they are now. So, and also trying to understand more,
and also the future practice, how we can open the door to the community, how we can
combine with community. Not just like the current model, model about provider and
patient, how we can more engaging with community. Maybe start is, maybe small,
maybe- maybe footcare, the beginning, but it's probably the future have a more care
added outreach, um, mental health, the other resource connection. So it's hard to see
right now but it's a beginning with the core- core concept, the Health Commons about
building relationship, building trust relationship, companionship, friendship. That can
apply any other my practice in the future, because those concept we are missing, we
can't- we can’t apply with the current medical system, um, very busy and then we have to
make, um, money, profit, everything we have to do it, but this is a totally different
concept. But we can apply in any community, any care setting, any population, starting
this basic concept hospitality, build interest relationships. So, I think I can apply many
other practice in the future.
S
Samantha Gibson
19:14
You talked a little bit about some of the people that you interacted with, but is there a
specific story that you could share from your experience at Health Commons that really
stuck with you?
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 7 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Y
Yuni Yang 19:37
Maybe two things come in mind, first one is, um, I- I already introduced kind of how I can
started talking with one of the homeless people, then once they are- they are really- theythe two person I engaged, they like to talk. They want to talk, um, not just, well, I have to
writing a paper with this practicum, but I try not too much interviewing someone, but just
being with them, just to sit next by, just talking about their life, their family, what they like
to eat. Um, and then, what is the future? Even, people think they maybe don't have a
future, but I found someone had, um, still working three- three different jobs and having
hope about the future, um, kind of building a relationship with family or go back to family.
So just being with them, present, and just to sit next by and talk to them, sharing about
time, just giving time, is really precious. Um, hopefully, we- each one has their life journey. I
have my life journey, the person, the homeless person over there, he's on life journey, but
we met one moment and then sharing the journey and get close. I only have just one
experience. I mean, one time talking but I do see Katie actually build up more relationship,
longer relationship. That really helps someone's life. And I wish I could do that. But there is
two moment I sat about over 30 minutes and then talking about each of ours life, that
really stuck me. I had a really great experience.
S
Samantha Gibson
21:40
Is there anything else you'd like to talk about anything we didn't ask about?
Y
Yuni Yang 21:51
I would say, every volunteers there have really same kind of mind, same attitude. I'm
surprised. Each one is very open and very supportive, really nonjudgmental, and, um, just
everyone I met there is- even though all different background- they are there for the same
goal, kinda of. We are here to not just a serve you, we are here to be with you. So, that is,
I'm really surprised and then I really enjoyed actually talking with other volunteers too, not
just guests. I mean guest, I really enjoy the time together. So, it's really good place to kind
of the meeting, not only- not for the guest, but other volunteers and the experience of
what their heart is, so.
S
Samantha Gibson
22:45
Great, great. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for being here with me.
Y
Yuni Yang 22:50
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 8 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Thank you
Oral History with Yeunn Hee Yang, 2018
Page 9 of 9
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Show less
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler,
2018
Tue, 3/9 1:32PM
25:18
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
commons, health, people, individuals, augsburg, community, neat, volunteer, nurse, comments,
patients, led, stigma, hear, volunteering, homeless, rapport, location, received, experience
SPEAKERS
Sam... Show more
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler,
2018
Tue, 3/9 1:32PM
25:18
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
commons, health, people, individuals, augsburg, community, neat, volunteer, nurse, comments,
patients, led, stigma, hear, volunteering, homeless, rapport, location, received, experience
SPEAKERS
Samantha Gibson, Alisha Stahler
S
Samantha Gibson
00:00
Hello, my name is Samantha Gibson, and I'm an AmeriCorps VISTA worker with health
commons, would you please introduce yourself for the recording?
A
Alisha Stahler 00:07
Hi, my name is Alicia Stahler, and I am Augsburg student at the Augsburg University for
the nursing program for a bachelor's degree.
S
Samantha Gibson
00:18
Great, thank you. So I just like to reaffirm for the recording that you consent having this
interview and a transcript stored at the library, Augsburg University, where it'll be made
available to the public.
A
Alisha Stahler 00:30
Yes, I have consented for that.
Samantha Gibson
00:32
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 1 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
S
Samantha Gibson
00:32
Great. The last thing I'd like to mention is that there may be some background noise. Is
there some lawn maintenance going on? That's, that's what that buzzing sound is. Alright.
So to get us started, would you please tell me a little bit about where you grew up, and
who you called family.
A
Alisha Stahler 00:50
So I grew up in a small town with a family of four brothers and our parents. We are a
middle class, family. And like most families are some families, we grew up with some
struggles, I had four brothers who did struggle with some alcohol and drug addiction. We
also had extended family of aunts and uncles and cousins that we spent a lot of time with,
we had game nights with them. Our family was pretty much involved in some church
activities, but never really volunteered for much within the community. As I got older,
though, I started to feel the need or felt led to get more involved into the community and
volunteer at a couple different things. I've only carest within the community here in my
surrounding area. And I also went on a mission trip to Guatemala. And I have also been
led to just do random acts of kindness, helping out people at a grocery store paying for
their groceries in line. So that kind of leads into the experience I had through Augsburg,
which kind of led me to get back into doing that.
S
Samantha Gibson
02:04
Okay, did you say that you grew up in Minnesota?
A
Alisha Stahler 02:08
Yep. here in Minnesota, just a small town of population was about 2000.
S
Samantha Gibson
02:14
All right, and how did you end up choosing Augsburg University?
A
Alisha Stahler 02:19
So I chose Augsburg because they're here they have a location here in the Rochester area.
And I have heard a lot of great things about their program. And also I really liked that
they're a faith based.
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 2 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
S
Samantha Gibson
02:35
Thank you. And how did your experience at Augsburg lead to you becoming involved
health commons?
A
Alisha Stahler 02:44
So my first nursing core class to get the bachelor's degree, one of they're not really
requirements, but one of their programs allowed us to volunteer at the Health Commons
in Minneapolis, which kind of seeing patients that were of a diverse culture that had low
social economic backgrounds. So it was just an experience that was outside of what I'm
used to as a nurse working in a health care in the hospital setting.
S
Samantha Gibson
03:21
Yeah, absolutely. What else can you tell me about your experience of health commons.
A
Alisha Stahler 03:26
So at first, I really wasn't sure what to expect, because I haven't really volunteered with
any low income, social backgrounds, you know, homeless kind of volunteering work. So I
really wasn't sure what to expect. It was interesting when we talked about it in the
classroom, just to see the kind of the stigma that goes along with that kind of culture. A
lot of people in the classroom hadn't really been around homeless or difficulties of that
people are faced with in the world today. So it was really interesting to hear what people's
thoughts were. And growing up the way I did having brothers struggle a lot with addiction
and drug abuse, and just the, somewhat of a dysfunctional in our family, I kind of been
involved with a lot of judgment and a lot of what the stigma is on, on people on this world.
So this program, kind of, I felt really led to it because it kind of was nice to go in for myself
not having judgment, I try not to have that kind of judgment on people. So the experience
was quite interesting and really rewarding.
S
Samantha Gibson
04:44
Good to hear. So you mentioned the talking about the experience in class, how was Health
Commons presented to fit in with your curriculum, and how well do you think that your
experience and health comments related to what you were learning
A
Alisha Stahler 04:58
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 3 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
so the point of doing this was to kind of just compare and contrast the difference between
a nurse working in a hospital kind of studying base and a nurse working in a community
kind of setting base. And it was really neat to see how the Augsburg Health Commons
provided more of a community base, and it was provided free and they provided a very
supportive and safe environment, and was very welcoming. And it was definitely not the
medical atmosphere that I was used to. They did things like blood pressure checks, talk to
some of the clients that came there may had respiratory issues I'd seen some people had
some eye and foot issues, it was neat to see how the nursing staff there, and the
volunteers how they all were there to listen and honor each individual that was there. And
they definitely built a rapport with these, these patients or people that were coming there.
And a lot of it was just meeting basic needs that we all kind of take for granted. They
offered socks and diapers, different kinds of toiletries, wipes, underwear, clothing, jackets,
hats, it was neat to see the I went during February, so it was right after the Super Bowl. So
hearing the kind of how a lot of these people that came to the Health Commons, to use
utilize all the support that they give, how they were kind of blocked off during the
Superbowl. So that was kind of challenging, and sad to hear that they were kind of not
able to walk on certain streets during that time. But it was neat to see the NFL had
actually dropped off some jackets. So a lot of the people that were coming into the Health
Commons, were able to get jackets to keep them warm during that cold time. So that was
really, really, really neat to see. And then just seeing the community connections that they
had. And the education that they were giving these patients are the people that were
coming in, it was pretty unique. And then prior to starting before the doors actually open.
One of the the nurses that was leading the health comments received a phone call from a
crisis center regarding an individual who had been coming there for some time. But during
that time, health comments was going under had some construction work going on. And
they had received this call that this individual had not eaten for four days. And they
hadn't seen him and he was pretty nervous about coming into the facility due to the
smaller location at the time. And they had asked the nurse to see if maybe she would kind
of walk around the community to see if they could find them and offer some help that the
health comments was able to provide for these individuals. So I actually had a very unique
experience where I was able to go with that nurse in walk was probably about six blocks
from the Health Commons location and find this individual. And when we found them, I
had stayed back and it was a very safe environment. And the nurse had actually walked
up to this gentleman who was wrapped in a couple of sleeping bags and had his items
around him. And she kind of went up and and stated his name and he peeked out. And I
saw this amazing smile on his face, which she was so surprised to see her. And she had
offered to supply him with some daily needs that the health comments had back at that
location. And so he gratefully accepted that and the nurse and I had walked back and
gathered some supplies for him. And then on the way back, I felt led to purchase a meal.
So we stopped at this location, and I was able to get a few sandwiches for him. So it was
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 4 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
really, really neat to actually walk the street and see some of these individuals that utilize
as the health comments. It's an experience I will always remember and never forget and
just so appreciative of that opportunity.
S
Samantha Gibson
09:21
Thank you for sharing that story. You mentioned how you related to your Health
Commons experience professionally as well as personally. Could you talk a little bit more
about how your experience in Health Commons fit or challenged your expectations in
both of those realms?
A
Alisha Stahler 09:39
Yeah, so it was just neat to see in the hospital setting. I'm so used to the patient
population that's more centered and focused. Whereas coming to volunteer at the health
Commons that's more driven on community based and it's definitely a variety of care and
skill. that's given to a particular population such as the homeless man that was there.
Also, the hospital setting were more focused on treatment and restoring a patient to their
baseline baseline, where the health Commons was more focused on promoting health
through education, and then through the community connections that they offer. And
then giving a lot of the individuals that came opportunities and references for needs that
they may need. The challenging through that is, the difference is that at the health
comments, most of these patients don't have really a medical insurance company that
provides them with as much as a hospital setting does. So a lot of them haven't been
medically diagnosed with things, they don't really receive a lot of preventative health
care, whereas in a hospital setting, most of those patients are receiving preventive care.
They see their primary providers, they have a diagnosis, and they're being treated as
appropriate for their diagnose. So it was really neat to see a group of people come
together at the health comments, and provide care for these people, they individuals that
may not have received care up anywhere else. So the challenge is to we're just seeing just
the need of this within the community at the health Commons. So it was hard to when we
came back to the house comments location and provided for the rest of the individuals
that were there, it was really hard to just give only a certain amount of items to these
individuals or would last longer, so they could provide more within the community. So that
was that was hard to see that. So it really made me want to help and challenged me to
want to do better and, and volunteer more, and things such as this.
S
Samantha Gibson
11:58
You know, thanks for your insight, that story that you told about doing sort of some
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 5 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
outreach to an individual who couldn't come into the health Commons location. I was
wondering how you would suggest that health comments could better accompany people
on their journey of health. And for example, things like doing those outreach services or
adding more hours that they're available?
A
Alisha Stahler 12:27
Yeah, I think that would be a really good idea to do. I think that Augsburg You know, this is
the only opportunity so far through any of my nursing, schooling or my nursing program.
When I did my associates degree we didn't. We didn't do any volunteering like this. In the
past, I've done research and we actually did some outreach. And we're able to go out to
different communities, we did a Somali community where we offered free blood draws.
And we're able to look at these patients to see if they had Hepatitis B, and we were able
to then bring them into the clinic and get them help or educate them. So I think that the
health dogs, Brickhouse Commons could definitely reach out more to doing that. I think
that would be a good idea for them to just open up more opportunities for students for
volunteering. And definitely, with just with classmates that, you know, have this stigma on
these people, I think it was a great opportunity for them to be able to go into the
community and see this, and maybe lose a little bit of their stigma that they have, and try
to push that, you know, disparity away that these will have and actually see them as an
individual and be able to reach out and give them the help that they need and finding the
different references and or different referrals and that are within the community that can
provide help to those individuals.
S
Samantha Gibson
14:01
In line with what you said, how has this experience? Or has this experience changed any
biases that you may have had about homeless or marginally housed individuals?
A
Alisha Stahler 14:13
I think I went in with pretty much an open heart and tried to not be judgmental, but I know
that there's been instances where I might be driving in the car and I'll see a homeless man
standing on the street and I'll get a feeling like Why does he need the money or I had an
instance where I actually helped somebody. And I had filled her gas tank up with gas and I
was actually working on my floor as a nurse and listening to somebody tell a story and it
was pretty much the same kind of similar situation and it turned out to be the same
person. And this individual ended up following the person that she had helped. And in that
situation, the person And actually went to a liquor store. So there is things in life where
people do lead you the wrong way. And that's where that stigma comes. But I think
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 6 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
generally in life that you should be open, and no matter if you're helping them or not, I
think that in life, we should all just provide and not have a bias or a stigma of what these
people are using their money for. But rather than just help these individuals and allow
them to, not all of them are doing that, and some need help. So I think that this has just
opened my eyes that everybody has a story and if we just opened up and not been so not
so judgmental to them, and allow them to get the help that they need. And opening this
community based facilities, such as the health comments will definitely be a good thing,
and to give health care back, and maybe prevent some of the things that are happening
within those individuals.
S
Samantha Gibson
16:03
Sure. From your your experience at Health Commons, can you tell me about some of the
strengths that you heard or learned from the people that you met?
A
Alisha Stahler 16:14
It was quite amazing to see the rapport that the volunteers and the nursing and the
nurses that led kind of instructors in the health Commons, they definitely were building a
good rapport with these patients, they trusted them. Even just walking on the street,
people were saying hi, as we walked by, and they knew this nurse that was leading the
program. And I think that it definitely improves the outcome for these vulnerable, this
vulnerable population who may not receive care elsewhere, or have limited resources. So I
think that it definitely is a strong base to have within a community because of the rapport
that's built, allowing them to come somewhere they feel safe, and they feel a lot of trust.
S
Samantha Gibson
17:05
You mentioned that report. Did you feel as though people felt welcomed into the health
common space? Do you have any suggestions on how we could welcome people better?
S
Samantha Gibson
17:15
During the time I, like I said, I went and there was some construction going on. And I know
that they had mentioned that the numbers were a little bit lower because of the smaller
building. And I think that when they have their construction done with a newer facility
that will be most likely rewarding. I think that just being in the small location that they
were at, at the time, a lot of the individuals that utilize their facility felt a little bit nervous
or felt too enclosed. So I think that finishing up with the construction project that they
had, and opening up a bigger center, I know they had mentioned that they had computers
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 7 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
for them to utilize and be able to kind of help them maybe get a job or find other
references. So I think that will definitely be a key thing for continuing to help the
individuals that are utilizing their program.
S
Samantha Gibson
18:15
Yeah, that construction that you mentioned, I believe it's actually supposed to be
completed this fall 2018. And they'll be moving back into the space. Do you have any
other suggestions or hopes for that space?
A
Alisha Stahler 18:30
No, I think just I think this is just a great opportunity that the health comments has led it's
vital service within their community. And it's definitely for a student. It's extended my
knowledge beyond the traditional learning that I've learned in a classroom setting or
within my job at the hospital. So I definitely think that for them to continue with that
connection within that community and partnering, partnering, partnering with other
references to provide a overall wholesome to get the needs that they need for being met
their basic needs, and I think that's going to definitely help them with their health in their
overall well being.
S
Samantha Gibson
19:18
Did your experience at health Commons impact your future career ideals or your personal
goals? Yeah, definitely.
A
Alisha Stahler 19:26
Like I said, I had volunteered for some stuff prior to this class. But as they say, out of sight
out of mind, I haven't volunteered probably in the last three to four years. So this this
actual program that I was able to volunteer at really opened up my heart and just, there's
so much that we can do within our community and I traveled to Minneapolis for this and I
know right here in Rochester, there are so many things that I can do. So it was a great
opportunity and it actually opened up my mind to hopefully In the near future, be able to
volunteer and give back within the community here.
S
Samantha Gibson
20:05
Great, yeah. What was most valuable or useful to you about your experience and health
commons?
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 8 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
20:14
Like I said, I think the most important thing was probably just watching and seeing the
rapport in that relationship that was built for these patients or these individuals. It just, it
was just an amazing experience with that part. And I think, going forward, it definitely is
going to continue to help people and I think that Augsburg should continue programs and
actually even try to see if they there's other programs that they can add to this for their
students.
S
Samantha Gibson
20:49
What do you think Health Commons could do better? Is there anything missing?
A
Alisha Stahler 20:55
I don't know that there's anything missing. Maybe besides having more opportunities to
volunteer at things, like I said, this is the first time I've done any of that. And the first time
I've even heard of a volunteering program like this through the, through the school. So I
think maybe the only thing is finding other opportunities, not only just in the low income
or the homeless, but maybe providing into you know, the alcohol or the drug addiction
and being able to provide for them to would be a neat thing to see. Also, I think it'd be
neat to, you know, a lot of elderly, I see a lot of elderly in the hospital setting that, you
know, struggle struggle with. And they know a lot of them are malnutrition. So I think even
helping that or volunteering to serve at homes or, you know, go into homes, rather than
having people come to them. And it was a great opportunity to be able to actually have
somewhat of an outreach experience when I was there. So I think that sometimes people
don't always come into a facility to get help. But I think allowing you to go to their home
or the street or wherever they're at would be a big impact.
S
Samantha Gibson
22:20
What, if anything, will you take forward with you from this experience?
A
Alisha Stahler 22:28
I think like I said, just taking back and and giving back from that experience, just put that
drive back in me. And knowing that when I see a homeless person now that from the
stories are heard in the facility, in the four hour, I was there probably about four hours, was
pretty amazing. Everybody has a story, and everybody has a situation. And we need to
stop judging on that and see individuals for who they are and honor them for them, and
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler, Page
2018 9 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
not for the situation they're in and being able to provide and and help them in any way
that we can.
S
Samantha Gibson
23:10
Thank you. I know you already kind of told one story that stuck with you. But is there
another another tale of health Commons that really stuck with you from your experience?
A
Alisha Stahler 23:21
Yeah, there was I was able to sit and have comments and kind of hand out some toiletries
and some basic need items. And one of the volunteers that was there has been there, I
believe, for 15 plus years. And she was telling me her story about how she was homeless at
the time and was struggling with just daily needs and finding jobs. And she actually told
the story that the Augsburg health comments actually saved her life. And now she is
giving back by volunteering at that at the facility. And so it was really neat to see
somebody who actually received the help that health Commons gives to these
individuals, and to see how it's changed her life for the better. And she was very, very
grateful for it. And it was really neat to hear her story about it.
S
Samantha Gibson
24:18
That's an amazing story of the community, I think. Yes. Is there any topic that we didn't
talk about or anything you'd like to add?
A
Alisha Stahler 24:29
No, I think that we pretty much just covered our thing there. I think to just the the
donations that the health Commons receives, I think that they can even benefit for more
because there is such a need for the individuals that come. So it was really neat because
our our instructor had said if we felt led to you know, donate any items to the health
comments when we volunteered and I just think that just finding The referrals to find
people to bring in donations to help is probably a key thing. So just reaching out to the
community to get the support for them to run their program.
S
Samantha Gibson
25:11
Great. Thanks for taking some time to talk with me today.
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler,Page
201810 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
A
Alisha Stahler 25:14
Yes, you're welcome. Thanks for having me.
Oral History Interview with Alisha Stahler,Page
201811 of 11
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
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