PHS Milwaukee Branch Offers Comprehensive Care For Patients Across Wisconsin
Have you heard the great news? PHS has opened a second branch in Milwaukee, WI – meaning kiddos with medical complexities across the state will have the opportunity to receive the most comprehensive and advanced care at home.
Our mighty Thrive Squad provides comprehensive services for medically complex children across Wisconsin who are in need of respiratory therapy & equipment or enteral nutrition so they can thrive at home with their friends and family in the community – and although we’re new to the area, we aren’t new to home care.
Nearly 30 years after opening its doors at a small office in St. Paul, MN, PHS has grown from a team of six in 1990 to almost 400 today. But regardless of size, our commitment to taking care of the child has always been the vision that guides what we do, and that will continue to be the focus of each PHS team member – because kids should be able to be kids, regardless of their medical needs.
Now, children with medical complexities have access to high-tech respiratory care provided by neonatal pediatric specialists, 3500+ equipment and supply products inspected and ready to go, an inventory of almost 200 standard, semi-elemental, and elemental products, and clinical online education. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – because healthcare doesn’t just happen from 9-5.
So who is the team taking care of kiddos out of the Milwaukee office? We asked each of them a few questions to get to know them better, like which superhero they would be (that’s the theme of the conference rooms – do you know what the theme is in Roseville?). Read on to meet each member of our Milwaukee #ThriveSquad!
Rob Smallins, BS, RRT
Branch Manager
How long have you been a respiratory therapist?
- Almost 9 years
What made you want to become a respiratory therapist?
- I was previously planning to go the pharmacist route, but when I had my pharmacy internship I decided that wasn’t what I wanted to do because there wasn’t much patient care – so I changed my major to cardiopulmonary/pre-med, but eventually realized that respiratory therapy was where I wanted to be.
What are you most excited for with the new PHS branch opening?
- The opportunity to give patients what they’ve always wanted – the ability to get comprehensive care from one company. One of my main drives of being a part of this is that we’ll be able to provide a lot for a special needs family.
If you could be any superhero, which would you be and why?
- Black Panther – he’s a king, he’s unfathomed leader to not only his family, but his people. If you look at the origin of Black Panther, he’s not a superhero type, he was an average type guy – and so I can relate a little bit.
What’s your favorite vacation?
- Daytona, because my family has a condo down there so we go every year and can just get away and be amongst each other and have fun.
What is your favorite thing to do in Milwaukee?
- Go to the lakefront with my kids and rent bikes and kites
Sarah Brundidge, MSc, RRT, AE-C, RPFT
Respiratory Therapist and Outreach Liaison
How long have you been a respiratory therapist?
- 4 years
What made you want to become a respiratory therapist?
- I like that we’re the MacGyvers of the healthcare world – we get to utilize our skills in many different areas and it’s fast paced.
What are you most excited for with the new PHS branch opening?
- Bringing services that our community needs
If you could be any superhero, which would you be and why?
- Wonder Woman, because she’s a strong female whose #1 purpose is to help those around her – and she’s got some awesome cuffs
What is a fact about you that nobody would guess?
- I played rugby in college
What is your favorite thing to do in Milwaukee?
- I like going to all the festivals that are hosted here
Nicki Immekus, RCP, RRT
Respiratory Therapist
How long have you been a respiratory therapist?
- 3 years
What made you want to become a respiratory therapist?
- I was inspired by the RTs in the Children’s Hospital when my son was in-patient, and how good they were at getting him healthy enough to be discharged
What are you most excited for with the new PHS branch opening?
- I’m excited to share the knowledge and education to the families of our most complex kids to help improve the kiddos’ life.
If you could be any superhero, which would you be and why?
- Captain Carol Danvers, because of her superhuman strength and precognition or foreknowledge of an event
What is a fact about you that nobody would guess?
- I’ve gone parasailing over a dozen times over the Gulf of Mexico
What is your favorite thing to do in Milwaukee?
- The different ethnic and church festivals
Justin Dahlberg
Office Coordinator
How long have you been at Pediatric Home Service?
- I have been with PHS for over 6 years with the first 6 coming in the Customer Service (CS) department
What roles did you have in the Roseville office?
- Within CS, I had worked in several roles including: Patient Services, Supporting Documentation (both SMNs and PAs), Equipment Management and, as my final role in the CS department, a Customer Service Specialist where I was working with the department as a whole in a specialized role.
What are you most excited for with the PHS Milwaukee branch opening?
- The opportunity that I have to learn more about the company and industry that we work in. I love to learn new things and this has been a heavy dose of fast-paced learning and I feel like I have an opportunity to be on the ground floor of something great.
If you could be any superhero, which would you be and why?
- I would choose Ironman because, who doesn’t want to play with all those gadgets?!
What is a fact about you that nobody would guess?
- I have a good amount of hearing loss and other issues that stem from having Meningitis as a toddler.
What’s your favorite thing you’ve done in Milwaukee so far?
- Taking a historic boat cruise through Milwaukee on the river and out into the bay then out to Lake Michigan and back.
We’re looking forward to being in a new community and building relationships with healthcare professionals and families across the state. Is your child in need of comprehensive care at home? See what services we offer in your area by entering your zip code on our website.
Originally published: August 9, 2018