October 29, 2024

Faces of Careforth: Karin Sullivan

Faces of Careforth

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October’s Faces of Careforth spotlight leads us to Karin Sullivan. Karin has spent an impressive 16 years with Careforth. She began as an RN Care Manager and has now moved into her Care Management Lead role in Massachusetts. Whether Karin is conducting home visits, problem solving with her team, or providing colleagues with the support and guidance they need, her passion is clear in the work she does every day. Get to know Karin in this month’s Faces of Careforth Q&A.

What is your role and how long have you worked at Careforth?

I am a Care Management Lead for the South Shore branch and have been here for 16 happy years, including several as an RN Care Manager prior to assuming my current role.

What inspired you to join our team?

Alzheimer’s wasn’t a household word back in the early 80s when my family had to make the difficult decision to place my dad in a nursing home. I was so sad that we didn’t know enough about how to treat and care for someone with this dreadful disease. Even at the time, I thought there should be something, an alternative, to help families keep their loved ones at home. Careforth fulfilled that wish and I was (and still am) enthusiastic to be part of its mission to support caregivers and their loved ones.

How do you support families and caregivers in your role, and why is it important?

I love my coworkers, and they’re all dedicated to doing and giving their best—not only to the families we serve, but also to each other. We’re a team. My role is to offer guidance and support to our nurses and care managers. I work to ensure they understand and follow Careforth’s best practices and are aware of the resources we can provide them and their families. I am also available to make home visits and help problem-solve when difficult situations arise. Maintaining a high quality of care and providing attention to what each of our families need is contagious. How our team interacts with each other spreads to our families.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Learning! Working at Careforth has introduced me to people from many different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. I feel fortunate to have developed relationships with the families we serve as well as with my coworkers. Everyone has taught me something and my life has been enriched by these interactions.

How do you contribute to our company’s mission and values?

We often have families who are with us for several years. I see this as a unique opportunity to understand each family’s situation and develop trust. From there, we strive to support their individual needs to have the best caregiving experience for themselves and quality of life for their loved one. I am always considerate of how my actions may impact our families.

What’s something interesting about your job that people may not know?

Even though my position is remote and I no longer have a caseload, I periodically get to make home visits if needed, which I very much enjoy. Also, as an RN, I am able to do these visits as either the RN or care manager, whichever is needed!

How do you maintain a positive work-life balance in this field?

Whether working in the field or remotely at home, Careforth has always afforded me autonomy in performing my role. Careforth has encouraged me to step away from my computer to take a break. Careforth also recognizes the need to take care of things with our own families. I have appreciated being able to go outside to take my dogs for a walk or go to the doctor with a family member without feeling guilty.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in healthcare?

You’ll get back more than you give.

What is one fun fact about you that your colleagues may not know about?

My first experience with Careforth was actually as a caregiver in the early days when the company was called Caregiver Homes. I was taking care of my mom in my home, and I responded to an article I read in my local newspaper. Before I knew it, I was entering my own daily check-ins and having monthly home visits by a care team!

What is your favorite quote?

I have two mantras; one is mine and one is my husband’s. “Try to see the glass as half full,” and “Keep it simple.”

Thank you for reading this month’s edition of Faces of Careforth featuring Karin Sullivan. At Careforth, we strive to provide the resources and connections that ensure caregivers feel supported at every turn in their caregiving journey. If you’re inspired by Karin’s story and want to be a part of a team that leads with heart, cultivates trust, and goes beyond, visit our Careers page to learn more and explore our current openings.