This month’s staff feature from the Quality Improvement (QI) department is Jenna Munkres.
Jenna has been with AWARE intermittently since 2013, getting her start in the Home Support Services Line and then spending some time working with the school-based mental health team. The experience she gained in the front end of service provision prepared her with knowledge of the work and impact of AWARE.
After having her two twin daughters, she returned to AWARE in 2021, this time joining the QI department. She knew she wanted to return to AWARE due to her passion for the organization, but did not know what to expect joining the QI team and was eager to learn.
Jenna explained that her move to QI provided a different perspective to the vast array and magnitude of services AWARE provides. QI has given Jenna the opportunity to dip her toes into every service line and make an impact by improving processes. “Being able to see the change we really do make in the community is super inspirational, and is what started my original passion for AWARE”. She explains that she enjoys working in the background and making it easier for those in the forefront to be the most successful.
She states, “QI is my favorite job I have ever had!”
While working full-time in QI, Jenna recently received her Master’s in Education- a goal of hers since she graduated in 2013. She attests her ability to balance her work and education to the QI team. Their support and understanding meant the world to her, as she can now proudly tell her daughters she has a Master's in Education (who had a One Smart Cookie Party for her post graduation 😊).
Her education has had a major impact on her work. While she thought she always wanted to be a teacher, QI made her realize “I wanted to teach people in different ways”.
One of her favorite memories working in QI include team building at ZooMontana in Billings, being able to experience her coworkers in a different way, away from the computer. Jenna also proudly shared about her part in Corporate Congress, and the experience of being able to write bills. Witnessing everyone come together and listen to the employees about their ideas was a very special and unique opportunity.
Jenna relays her admiration and appreciation for AWARE’s QI team, and their ability to constantly bounce ideas and inspire each other. A special bond within this team exuded from her description of their teamwork and effective collaboration.
Thank you Jenna for your hard work and dedication to AWARE, and for the QI team in your passion that allows AWARE to successfully aid clients in our communities.
Joining Jenna on AWARE’s QI team are:
Traci Shinabarger, Clinical Director
Rick Hamblin QI Operations Lead and HIPPA Compliance Officer
Alex Daniel, Quality Support Specialist
Jenna Munkres, Data Support Specialist
Haley Knight, Early Childhood Services Project Associate
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