Two new faces in the Social Services Department

Two new faces in the Social Services Department

by Amanda Emery

There is a group of employees at Mile Bluff Medical Center that touch almost every aspect of patient care in some form. They provide services to people in the hospital, through Hess Home Health, in nursing homes, on an outpatient counseling basis, and so much more. These individuals are social workers.
With the diverse and growing population they serve, it is easy to see how the Social Services Department at Mile Bluff continues to grow. To help meet the changing needs, the department has added some new faces to its staff, Jolene Hansen and Ana Ribic.

Jolene Hansen, MSW

Jolene Hansen is a Mauston native who ran track and cross country for four years at Mississippi State University (MSU) before returning to Wisconsin. She began her education focusing on pre-veterinary science, but changed to social work after taking it as an elective course. She finished her bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. In August, 2008, she then earned her master’s degree in social work (MSW) with a concentration on health, aging and disability from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

During her undergraduate work, Jolene interned at the House of Mercy Homeless Shelter in Janesville, Wisconsin. She also interned for a year at Hospice Care, Inc. in Madison as part of her master’s degree. Jolene’s main position currently has her working at Fair View and Crest View nursing homes, but she will be working in other patient care areas of Mile Bluff as her training progresses.

Jolene said she chose social work as a profession because she loves helping people and learning their history. One aspect of the job Jolene enjoys the most is getting to know a person and listening to his/her life story. She feels that society tends to see older people as they are now, forgetting that they have a whole life behind them of experience, loss, love and wisdom.

She has been with Mile Bluff since November 23, and really enjoys her job. She appreciates everyone being so kind and welcoming to her, and is thankful for the opportunity to work within the organization. Jolene said that her mom - Darlene Hansen - a certified nursing assistant at Fair View Nursing Home - likes seeing her around the facility.
In her free time, Jolene loves being outdoors and spending time with her 6 year-old son, Azaiah. The two visit state parks a lot throughout the year, enjoying kayaking, hiking, trail running and swimming together.

Ana Ribic, MSW

Ana Ribic has a unique background that she brings to the Social Services Department at Mile Bluff. She says, “I earned my master’s degree in social work through Great Rochester Collaborative MSW Program – Nazareth College & State University of New York (SUNY) in Rochester, New York, and my bachelor’s degree at SUNY, Brockport, New York. I lived and worked for about 10 years in the Rochester (New York) area, 10 years in Germany, and the rest of my life was spent in Bosnia-Herzegovina - my native country.”

Before accepting the social work position at Mile Bluff, Ana participated in the Balkan Peace Keeping Mission. She said that she provided interpreter and translator services to United States military forces deployed in Bosnia, Germany, Kosovo, and other European locations. She also assisted in individual and group therapy and counseling through Combat Stress Control, at the Task Force Medical Falcon Hospital at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo Europe.
When asked what she could do to help the Social Services Department at Mile Bluff, she responded with, “I know that my talent for managing and improving human conditions, strength for problem-solving and conflict/crisis resolution, and cross-cultural verbal and written communication skills [gained through living and working on different continents] will be a great asset to the department.”

She continued, “Over the years, I have improved and enriched my social work skills by working for different agencies such as the Center for Disability Rights, Catholic Charities Community Services - Traumatic Brain Injury, Monroe Community Hospital, New York State Department of Health - Research Department, Association for Blind and Visually Impaired, and LTC Home of Good Sheppard - Germany.”

Ana also has a unique personal story that led her to a social work career. She explains, “The most difficult time in my life was civil war time. I became homeless, jobless, stateless, and was running for my life with my two children - all overnight. My children and I had ‘refugee’ status for about 12 years. I know how it feels to stand in line for food, shelter, clothes, etc. There were moments in my life when I felt as if I was drowning deeper and

deeper in human catastrophe, and could not do anything to stop it. I am thankful to all national and international helping organizations for their support during that time.” This personal experience makes Ana want to reach out and help those she can through her work.

Currently, Ana is getting settled into a new apartment after years of moving across Europe and the United States. She is a very proud parent of two successful children, and a grandmother of two - Mark and Nella.

Next time you see Jolene or Ana around one of the Mile Bluff facilities, please join the staff in giving both these ladies a warm welcome.

Photo Caption: Jolene Hansen (left) and Ana Ribic are the two newest additions to the Social Services Department at Mile Bluff Medical Center.

Locations:

Elroy Family Medical Center

Necedah Family Medical Center

Delton Family Medical Center

Fair View Nursing Home

Crest View Nursing Home

Terrace Heights

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