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Employee Spotlight: Katie Wahl
A light on those who need it the most
Nine years, 3,285 days, 78,840 hours – that’s how long Katie Wahl, our current Quality, Risk and Accreditation RN Specialist, has been at Shodair. And while she hasn’t always taken on the same role, one thing that has never changed is her unwavering commitment to the safety and quality of life of Shodair’s patients.
From her years as a Floor Nurse (2014-2016) to her time as a House Supervisor (2016-2020) and later a Unit Supervisor (2021-2022), Katie has walked alongside our patients and staff through some of their worst times and their best. And, yet, after nearly a decade, it’s not just her competitive spirit that has kept her going (Go Mariners!), but rather her willingness and desire to shine a light on those who need it the most. And we’ve all been better for it.
Practically speaking, I am an East Helena native and a 4th generation Montanan. I grew up playing volleyball and basketball and swam for about 10 years – many of those years at the national level. In 2014, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Carroll College, which is also where I met my husband, Tyler. I have two kids – a bonus kiddo, James, and a daughter, Emmy.
On a more personal note, I would say I’m stubborn, hardheaded, competitive, and driven. From curling to fishing, I enjoy any competitive sport or board game and love being a mom and spending time with my family. You should also know that I’m a die-hard Mariners fan and a shareholder of the Green Bay Packers – even though my family is convinced that both are a self-inflicted punishment most years. Lastly, I’m a proud coach of my stepson’s soccer team; it’s so fun to watch him learn and excel at sports.
When I was about to graduate from Carroll, I knew that I wanted to work in oncology or pediatrics. However, to do both I would have needed to move to Denver or Seattle. As I started applying for jobs, I realized that it was way too far away for me as I am very close to my family. I would be leaving my grandparents, mom, dad, brother, and that just didn’t sit well. I talked with my mom and she reminded me that there was a children’s hospital right here in Helena. I applied for both St. Peters Oncology and Shodair. Needless to say, I chose Shodair and have been here ever since!
I am proud of the improvement of care over the years. From the individual patient rooms in the new hospital building (which include more space and natural light) to the new positions that have been created to provide better patient care (PCCs, Admission Specialists, House Supervisors, and the MHT level system), there has been a lot of great change to be proud of. Together, all of these things have provided a larger scale of services and knowledge, ultimately impacting the patients in a positive way.
Besides our brand–new hospital building, I think the biggest change I have seen is the collaboration between departments. There is now a much better working and personal relationship between each department and their leaders. We are more cohesive than we have ever been! And, while there is always room for improvement, it is evident that those leading our departments truly want everyone to succeed and will do all that they can to support each other.
This reason continues to change yet stay the same. When I first started, I was eager to learn the job itself and be a spot of bright light for the kids I was working with. Now that I am more removed from the units, I still want to help the kids that are receiving services at Shodair to heal, I just do that differently. As a Quality, Risk and Accreditation RN Specialist, I help ensure the safety of our kids and staff by making sure we are following the standards set by our accrediting agencies. Previously, when I worked on the units, every day was a different day with different challenges. And the same is still true in my new role – it’s just a different type of puzzle to help solve.
Mental health is everywhere. And when you work within it day to day, you begin to understand and see the world differently. I believe that if more people just understood mental health, then we all might be a little more kind, a little more patient, and a lot more willing to spend our time and put in the effort to help each other – rather than selfishly focusing on ourselves.
Join Our Team
From medical genetics and inpatient psychiatry to special education and speech pathology, Shodair is made up of some of the strongest and most passionate professionals in their field, all driving toward one goal: Building hope for Montana families. And, you can be, too. Having just completed our new state-of-the-art hospital building – intentionally designed and equipped to meet the needs of both staff and patients – we are currently looking for resilient, mission-minded individuals to join our dynamic team! If that sounds like you (we think it might), head on over to our career page to view a full list of opportunities and fill out an application today.
