Through our Executive Leadership Spotlight series, we’re helping employees get to know the people behind Ebenezer’s leadership team, from the experiences that shaped their careers to the philosophies that guide how they lead today.
This week, meet Julie Thurn, Administrative Clinical Officer, whose career in senior care began as a nursing assistant and has grown to include clinical leadership, consulting and a continued commitment to helping residents live the lives they want.
My career began at a nursing home in my neighborhood, where I worked as a Nursing Assistant. I had several family members in the medical field and planned to follow in their footsteps by becoming a nurse.
I continued working as a Nursing Assistant throughout high school and while earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Minnesota. After graduating, I stayed in senior care as a staff nurse and went on to hold nearly every clinical nursing position within nursing homes, including becoming a Director of Nursing at age 23.
Later, I became Director of Nursing for the Transitional Care Unit at the former Bethesda Hospital and helped merge that TCU with the one at Midway Hospital. From there, I spent time consulting nationally in post acute care, focusing on quality, reimbursement, nursing systems and other areas of clinical practice.
When my children were young and traveling became more difficult, I returned to a clinical leadership position with a multifacility organization. Eventually, I learned about the Clinical Officer opportunity at Ebenezer and jumped at the chance to join an organization affiliated with Fairview. I saw tremendous opportunity to partner across the continuum and create more seamless experiences for the older adults we serve.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredible colleagues and teams committed to providing the very best care. Every experience has shaped who I am today and given me an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.
Always be kind and treat others the way you want to be treated.
I also believe in doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult or when no one is watching. Taking the time to understand another person’s point of view can make a tremendous difference in how we work together and lead others.
I’m the middle child in a family of nine children!
Exceptional care starts with respecting the wishes of each individual and helping them live the life they want to live to their fullest potential.
Every resident is different, and truly person centered care means listening to what matters to them and honoring their individual needs, preferences and choices.
Listening to the people who directly care for our residents is paramount.
Our clinical teams understand what residents need and what it takes to provide great care every day. My role is to listen to their experiences and help establish policies, procedures and systems that are efficient while supporting the best care possible.
When we listen to the people closest to the work, we can better understand what’s working, identify opportunities for improvement and give our teams the support they need to care for residents.
I truly love my job at Ebenezer and the opportunity to work alongside our colleagues, community teams, residents and families.
Every person, regardless of position or title, is a valuable part of our team. I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of them.
Challenging times will happen, but one of Ebenezer’s greatest strengths is the incredible depth of knowledge, experience and support we have across our organization. Knowing we can rely on one another makes me grateful to be part of this team.
Julie's impact on her colleagues was recently celebrated in a fun and thoughtful way when members of Ebenezer's Education team surprised her by dressing just like her, complete with hair clips, accessories, pens and coffee cups. The lighthearted tribute was a wonderful reflection of the connections she's built and the appreciation her team has for her.
Stay tuned for more Executive Leadership Spotlights as we introduce the leaders helping shape Ebenezer's future and learn more about the experiences, perspectives and passions they bring to their work.