UPHS — Marquette Heroes | Molly Holmstrom-Bolster

Molly Holmstrom-Bolster is a Quality Lead in Quality Management at UP Health System – Marquette. She also serves as the Chair of the Employee Relations Committee (ERC).

What is your role at UPHS – Marquette?
I am a Quality Lead at UP Health System – Marquette. I also serve as the Chair of the Employee Relations Committee (ERC).

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
I have always been interested in healthcare – there was no other career field I ever considered. The major catalyst for my passion for high-quality patient care came from watching my mom’s battle with cancer.

What’s a typical day like for you? What is it like working in this field? 
The beauty of working in the Quality Management Department is that there’s never a typical day. I also work with the Hospital Medicine Safety Statewide Collaborative, which currently focuses on antibiotic and line use. My day can range from chart reviews to Statewide Collaborative meetings to process improvement to working in the Command Center for TJC visits. It is an extremely fulfilling department to be part of because we are always tracking measurable improvement and seeing the real impact of our work.

How long have you been employed here? Have you always been in the same position?
I’ve been in healthcare for over 10 years, the last 4 of which have been at UPHSM.  I started here in the Laboratory as a Lab Assistant in 2017, came to Quality in 2018 working as a Clinical Data Abstractor with the cardiovascular registries, and finally started as a Quality Lead this past May.

What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?
I was lucky enough to contribute to the transition from the old facility to the new facility, which was the first BIG change I experienced here. Of course, the pandemic created a lot of shifting and adapting, both within our Quality Department and the hospital as a whole.

My first meeting as the chair of the ERC was virtual, so that has been a big change to explore how we can support our UPHS team and our community while remaining safe. I’m so proud of the work my ERC team has done in such unique times.

What are some of your interests outside of work? What is your favorite local gem?
Outside of work, I enjoy watching my 1.5-year-old daughter explore the world & watching my husband race late models at Norway Speedway. We’re awaiting the arrival of our second daughter in July, and have 4 dogs, so there’s never a dull moment in the Bolster house. When I do have a minute of free time, I’m a wedding photographer. My favorite local gem is Whetstone Brook.

What do you enjoy most about working at UPHS – Marquette?
Most definitely the people. Nothing compares to being surrounded by a family of coworkers who love the Upper Peninsula and Marquette as much as I do. They are constantly there to provide support to each other and our community at the drop of a hat.