September 21, 2021

Podcast: Wearing Many Hats

Central, Clinical Partners, Rural Health

Bobbie Bertram, APRN, CNP, APP Practice Director, wears many hats – including that of a mom, wife, nurse practitioner, graduate student and director to name a few. CentraCare CEO, Ken Holmen, MD, sat down with Bertram recently to talk about her work, family and the impact of COVID-19 on everyone.

“When I think about the COVID vaccines, I put on all my hats – as a mom, a wife and healthcare provider,” said Bobbie Bertram, APRN, CNP, APP Practice Director. “I think about my kids and their medical safety. I also think about my time last fall having the privilege of working in the COVID unit alongside our intensivists. I remember feeling relieved and hopeful once the vaccines became available.”

Bertram recalls feeling like the vaccine was a chance to do something actionable in the face of COVID, to protect her kids, husband, coworkers, patients and the community. “It was an overwhelming feeling that I’ll never forget,” she said.

Approximately 96% of Advanced Practice Providers have chosen to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Approximately 96% of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), have chosen to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and Bertram is proud of that success. “I have a heart full of gratitude when I think about being part of our APP team,” she says. “Our team believes in the science, we’ve studied the research and we’ve made a conscious decision to protect our colleagues and our patients.”

What has made this moment even more remarkable is that the vaccines were a global effort, with multiple companies devoting resources to this one issue. “It was an opportunity where the scientific community came together to share information toward one goal,” said Bertram. “I’ve had conversations with friends and family who question how the vaccine came out so fast, but it’s important to remember this wasn’t one group looking at this. We had the whole world working together for a common, single goal. That’s a lot of knowledge, manpower and resources.”

The result, or product of that global effort in Bertram’s eyes, was hope. And that hope is so important after such a difficult past year and a half.

“It’s been an emotional journey,” said Bertram. “I’ve been at CentraCare for 18 years, so the people I work with are more than just colleagues – they’re also my friends. There have been ups and downs and fatigue, and I worry about the emotional effects on our teams from the last 18 months.”

“Through this pandemic, our patients have always looked to us for hope,” said Bertram. “And as caregivers, we carry that with us. We care deeply. Everyone in our organization cares. No matter what side of the vaccine conversation you’re on, we all care.”

We care deeply. Everyone in our organization cares. No matter what side of the vaccine conversation you’re on, we all care.

Bobbie bertram, APRN, APP Practice Director

That aspect of caring for each other is at the heart of everything for Bertram. And she remembers something Katie Schulz, Senior Director of Education, said to her early on. “As Katie and I were talking about the vaccine discussions, she said, ‘It’s important that people know that no matter the outcome of their decision, I care about you.’ That really resonated with me. Even if we disagree, we are all humans and we still care about each other.”