Today’s Skills, Tomorrow’s Future
May 3, 2024
Jeffrey Edelman, MSN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC
June 19, 2025Shodair Unit Assistants
Creating Home Away from Home
Imagine leaving home for a few weeks and arriving in a place you don’t know at all. The space is welcoming, the people kind, and the bedroom warm, but when you lay down at night, something is still missing – home. Your loved ones. This is the experience for many patients during their first few nights at Shodair. But there to bridge the gap, to create a home away from home and bring a sense of comfort and familiarity, are Shodair’s very own “parents,” or as we like to call them, our Unit Assistants. From taking patients to dentist appointments and buying clothes that fit to doing laundry and rewarding for a “job well done,” Shodair’s unit assistants play an integral role in our patients’ lives – creating a safe and intentional space to heal, help, and inspire hope.
Helping to lead this charge are two of our Unit Assistants, Samantha McGrorty and Nathan Brehe. And while their days are filled with scheduling appointments and chasing down supplies (much like many parents), their behind-the-scenes efforts are making all the difference. Take a look!
Though I went to high school in St. Paul, MN, I’ve lived in Helena for most of my life. I have three adult children, two daughters, and one son. I’m married (second time’s the charm!) to a wonderful man who just so happened to work at Shodair when we met! I’m a pretty simple individual; I’m a homebody, who loves to travel, read, and cook.
I was diagnosed with Major Depression as a child and went through several antidepressants before finding one that worked. During my middle school years, I was faced with some serious emotions and probably should have been a patient here at Shodair. That said, I can relate to what these kids are going through – how depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other diagnoses can so strongly affect those that are young. My mission is to remind patients that they aren’t alone, and that it is possible to succeed in life as an adult with a mental illness.
To a patient I would say, “My job is to make sure you have everything you need to make your stay here more enjoyable. If we need games, I’ll order them. If we need a new variety of fidgets, I’ll get some of those. If you meet the unit goals and expectations, you’ll usually get a special treat, which also comes from me.” To adults, I explain my position as that of Radar off “M*A*S*H, just without the war in the background!
To be honest, my proudest moment was being told that I had being hired for this position. I was proud, excited, and very nervous. I have a lot to live up to as far as filling in the shoes of the former unit assistant. She had been in this position for over 25 years, but I learned so much from her and aspire to become as wonderful as she was!
The pace. There’s always something to do, whether it’s setting up groups, typing out orders for passes, stocking the storage areas, making requests for supplies, or even helping out on the floor. It’s a nice steady pace. Plus, I’m interacting with new people, which can be scary but also rewarding.
It’s important for people to realize that mental Illness isn’t something to be ashamed of, any more than diabetes. Both stem from chemicals that are out of whack and are treated with both medication and counseling. People with mental illnesses often feel alone and lost. Their desire is to be treated normally, but without judgement. Friends, support groups, therapy, and other activities are all great ways to keep things at bay and occupy our minds.
Me? I am a young man (in my head) that was born in Grand Rapids, MI. I lived there long enough to know nothing about it. We moved to Minnesota when I was seven months old and then moved again to Montana – where I have lived for the last 30+ years.
I went to Carroll College where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Writing and Psychology. I enjoy playing golf and tennis and therefore struggle a great deal during the winter, especially as a Vikings fan (but you can’t make fun of me about it, I accept them losing. It’s when they win that I get concerned).
Prior to Shodair, I worked in outpatient care with younger kids when my friend suggested that I apply at Shodair. I’ve 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.
I would say the greatest challenge along with reward is building rapport with patients. To build a connection and support kids through what could be a difficult time for them is something that brings me back to Shodair every day.
Additional support staff, alongside new interventions, has enabled Shodair to provide stronger and more efficient care for patients over the years. There has also been an increase in communication across disciplines, which has helped patients succeed overall.
Taking care of our own mental health, along with others’, is an important issue that needs more attention. The opening of Shodair’s outpatient clinics and new hospital building has shown that there is a need for additional support for young people throughout the state. I hope in the coming years we can continue adding clinics and supporting the youth of Montana.
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.
