I have been a BSN RN for 60 years, during which I have worked in many areas of nursing, including administration. I spent 10 years with the Red Cross teaching CNA classes and testing CNAs for the State of Wisconsin when the Red Cross held that contract.I have been an educator for over 20 years. In addition to CNA and CBRF classes, I teach CPR and Basic Life Support. I truly enjoy teaching and working with students, challenging them to be the best they can be.

I have worked in the Healthcare profession since I was 18 years old, and have been a nurse for 35+ years. During my years as a nurse, I have obtained an MBA in Healthcare, my BSN, and a BA in Administration/Leadership. I have taught in the CNA and Medical Assistant programs at area Technical Colleges and the CBRF State requirement classes for CBRF facilities in the Eau Claire community.  I very much enjoy the healthcare setting and cannot imagine doing anything else and am honored to work with the dedicated staff at the Healthcare Workforce Training Institute.

I have been a nurse since 1999. I have worked in a variety of settings throughout my nursing career. Teaching has been a fun and rewarding opportunity to reflect on my nursing experience. I like to share stories of different diagnoses and settings that I have encountered along the way. I enjoy personalizing the textbook material and relating it to real life experiences with residents I have had the honor to work with and care for. I also really enjoy watching the students grow so quickly in such a short time as they learn their skills.

Mary Bjorklund is a seasoned human resources professional with over 25 years of experience, known for her compassionate, strategic, and forward-thinking leadership. Throughout her career, she has partnered with a wide range of industries, including direct marketing, healthcare, construction, energy, and food sectors. Mary leverages her expertise to build strong, high-performing individuals, teams, and leaders, working with everyone from new hires to seasoned employees to foster growth and development at all levels.

With a solid foundation in talent acquisition, performance management, and talent development, Mary is adept at creating strategies that support both individual and organizational success. She believes that every employee, from the front-line to the C-suite, is a vital asset to the company. By understanding the current needs of employees, teams, and organizations, she collaborates closely with leaders to design initiatives, strategies, and programs that drive progress, and using a service-oriented mindset, Mary helps create environments where both employees and organizations can thrive together.

Mary holds a BS in human resources management from Upper Iowa University, along with certifications in the Polaris Competency Model and Universal 360 Degree from Organization Systems International. She also holds certifications in professional consulting and coaching.

Paula has worked in long-term care for over 14 years. In 2021, Paula started a dementia training and consultation business. She has created a variety of training and engagement systems to enhance the care and quality of life for seniors and those living with dementia. Paula's dedication to healthcare stems from the personal impact caregivers and other professionals in the medical field had in caring for her grandmother, father, and three aunts who lived with dementia.

"Our healthcare workforce are the heroes of today. The care and service they provide ensure the health, well-being, and quality of life of our family and friends. The Institute will work to ensure our students receive the highest quality education so they are successful with starting or advancing their career in healthcare."