UP Health System – Marquette Heroes | Jackie Bertram

What is your role at UPHS – Marquette?

I am a Clinic Care Coordinator at UP Medical Group – Marquette | Urology. 

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare? 

Growing up I was always fascinated by medicine and the human body but upon graduating high school I was unsure where to start. After years in customer service, my mother encouraged me to attend an informational seminar at a local nursing program. It immediately felt like a good fit for me; I got to help people, work in a field that I am extremely passionate about, and have the opportunity to continue my education to a doctorate level if desired. 

What’s a typical day like for you? What is it like working in this field?

Every day is different but always busy. There are limited urology providers in the Upper Peninsula so we care for a large patient population. We see patients for office visits to manage chronic conditions, perform many procedures in the office, and coordinate scheduling patients for procedures in the operating room. We diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions from urinary incontinence to cancer. I get to work with patients one on one to improve their health and quality of life, while also maintaining a work-life balance. I really enjoy the variety this specialty offers; I get to learn something new every day. 

How long have you been employed here? Have you always been in the same position?

I will have been employed here at UPHS – Marquette for 10 years in November. I started out working registration in the laboratory while in nursing school. Once I graduated, I moved to the Neurology office as an LPN, then to the PSR Supervisor for Brain & Spine. When I went back to school for my BSN I worked in the clinic float pool. I accepted a job in the Urology clinic as an RN upon graduation and just took on my new role of Clinic Care Coordinator a few months ago. 

What are some of the big changes you've experienced in this position?

In this current position, the biggest change has been the transition to Cerner. Even though we don’t use Cerner for our electronic medical records (EMR), we still interact with it quite a bit. Our providers use Cerner to document the patients they see in the hospital and during surgery. 

What are some of your interests outside of work? What is your favorite local gem?

My family and I love to hike, camp, garden, and fish. Our favorite local gem is Wetmore Beach out on County Road 550. 

What do you enjoy most about working at UPHS – Marquette? 

It is extremely rewarding to take care of your community. I love brightening someone's day or comforting them through a difficult procedure. I feel fortunate to have such dedicated coworkers who feel the same way about caring for our neighbors. It makes it easy to come to work every day knowing that we are making a difference.