DCI Big Sky’s Laura Thormahlen Named 2023 Employee of the Year
Posted in Articles by Dialysis Clinic, Inc.
Dialysis Clinic, Inc.’s culture is created and mission is exemplified by employees setting the standards for care with every interaction. DCI Big Sky in Billings, Mont., LPN Laura Thormahlen’s passion, outstanding work ethic and dedication to her patients and coworkers led to her selection as 2023 Employee of the Year, announced at DCI’s October annual meeting and celebrated in her clinic.
Laura has been a vital part of DCI Big Sky for 28 years while caring for patients with end stage renal disease patients for more than 40 years. She’s cared for some of her patients for more than 20 years.
“One of the best and most inspirational dialysis nurses, Laura provides nurturing patient care and mentorship to her fellow care team members in Big Sky said DCI President Donovan Schultz. “DCI is fortunate to have Laura working with us and sharing her happiness and giving spirit with those around her. She is very deserving of our employee of the year honor.”
“I have a great team and I’ve always loved dialysis,” Laura said. “The real heroes are the patients themselves,” she said. “I’m very humbled and honored.”
“Laura is the embodiment of loyalty, faithfulness and encouragement, giving 110% daily to everything she does,” said Shelly Seidel, Big Sky’s Area Operations Director and Laura’s nominator. “She is a wealth of knowledge, seeing the care of patients improve over time with the ever-changing technology of dialysis. She always has her patient’s best interest in mind and wants to provide a safe quality of care for all of our patients.”
Connecting with those around her, “She has always been an easy person to speak with, she demonstrates an ability to listen, understand what is being said, and provide thoughtful feedback,” Shelly said. Her “wise words and sweet sense of humor makes any gloomy day a bright and cheerful day.”
In addition to Laura’s kindness, compassion, and listening ear she shares with patients and fellow staff members, she takes time outside of work to paint seasonal decorations for the Big Sky patient waiting room and clinical floor. Patients and staff eagerly await Laura’s masterpieces to arrive around the holidays. Themed “Cowboy Christmas,” this year’s décor includes cowboy Santas and snowmen, cowboy boots with Santa hats and holly, decorated wreaths, horseshoes, hay bales, cacti, and a horse. Previous decorations have included snowflakes, snowy scenes, ice skates, presents, a sled, snowmen and other festive paintings. Her artistic works brighten the clinic with watermelons, flowers, pumpkin patches, sunflowers and cornstalks and other seasonal images greeting Big Sky patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when nursing home patients’ outings were limited to medical appointments, Laura’s decorations brought them cheer. 
“Laura is simply one of the best human beings to grace our clinic and those around her,” Shelly said. Laura’s desire to spread joy motivated her and a coworker to paint 115 ornaments for every patient in 2021. She often shares baked goods with her coworkers and brings arrangements made with flowers from her garden for patients and staff to enjoy. Laura’s thoughtfulness includes gifting musical cards to vision-impaired patients, creating memorial flower arrangements to honor a mourning coworker’s family member and a fundraiser for a coworker newly diagnosed with cancer.
Laura is active in her community as well, teaching Sunday school and decorating her church for the holidays, as well as traveling on a mission trip to Brazil with her husband and grandson. Laura and her husband help further the education of their two grandchildren, and Laura also cares for her elderly father. Laura’s kindness also graces her family and neighbors. Whether they need help with “money, food or help at home, Laura is there with a bright smile and a ‘we’ve got this’ mentality,” Shelly said.
“Laura is a great example of living out the DCI mission, and she motivates others to share the kindness and care she shows daily to our patients and staff,” Donovan said. “We’re proud to have her on our team and name her DCI’s 2023 Employee of the Year.”
Tags: Staff spotlight, Employee of the year, Award