Business Notes

AITKIN - Amy Renner joined Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin as the registered nurse care coordinator for its new Nurse Navigator program to help support breast cancer patients and community awareness of breast health issues.

This new position and the launch of the Nurse Navigator program is being funded by the Brainerd Lakes Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which awarded a $100,000 grant to Riverwood in July. Renner lives in the Brainerd area.

In her new role, Renner will serve as the primary point of contact for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and at-risk populations for breast cancer in Aitkin County and nearby communities. The ultimate goal of the Nurse Navigator program is to improve access to breast cancer screenings.

For Riverwood patients who are diagnosed with suspicious breast lumps or breast cancer, Renner will assist them in exploring treatment options and emotional and financial issues. She'll also help patients navigate the medical system by helping to schedule medical appointments, hospice care, transportation to appointments or other services patients request.

Renner worked as an outpatient chemotherapy nurse for the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Denver for the past four years. Previously, she worked for five years with oncology patients at St. Mary's Duluth Clinic and for several years as a medical-surgical RN at a Mankato hospital. She also worked as an RN at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby for a short time.

After graduating from Aitkin High School, Renner began her career in nursing by obtaining a bachelor's degree in nursing from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She went on to obtain certification in oncology nursing.

Renner is the daughter of Kathy and Tony Cummings of Aitkin.

Travel Agents become Princess Cruise Line experts

BAXTER - Beth Burnard and Jennifer Nangle of Bursch Travel Agency in Baxter achieved Commodore status in Princess Cruises' Academy training program, certifying them as expert cruise professionals.

This distinction is earned after completing the minimum 25 courses necessary to graduate from the program.

Both agents have traveled on Princess Cruise Ships and will gain additional education attending an onboard seminar in 2009.

Six attend leadership training

Six people recently attended leadership training in Duluth for Brainerd Network International.

Attending the training were: Aaron Baseman, Radco Truck Accessories, Brainerd; Ruth Norman, Holiday Inn Express, Baxter; Stephany Hanson, Steam Brothers, Brainerd; Anita Walker, Quality Enterprises, Baxter; Don Spicer, Spicer Rangen Lock & Safe Service; Rose Feriancek, Anderson Cleaners, Brainerd.

Barnes attends training

Kari Barnes of ABC Collision & Marine Repair and assistant director of Business Network International Minnesota was in Duluth in September training BNI's incoming leadership teams for northern Minnesota.

Barnes helped with the five hours of leadership training in Duluth. Team Minnesota trained more than 1,500 new leadership members who will take over 135 BNI chapters in the state. About 50 members attended the training in Duluth.

Randall joins J.C. Penney Styling Salon

BAXTER - Kalli Randall recently joined the J.C. Penney Styling Salon staff in Baxter.

Randall is a Model College of Hair Design graduate. She is the daughter of Vicki Randall and granddaughter of Eve Tank, a cosmetologist in the Brainerd area for more than 40 years.

Olson joins Aitkin Hardwoods

AITKIN - Gary Olson joined Aitkin Hardwoods as cabinet designer and showroom salesman.

Olson worked 25 years in cabinet and countertop design, estimating and sales in Minnesota and North Dakota. Olson received his education in architectural drafting and design at Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech and architecture and economics at North Dakota State University.

He specialized in residential and light commercial kitchen and bath designs.

Reed completes dance seminar

PEQUOT LAKES - Rosanne Reed, dance instructor at Snap Studios in Pequot Lakes, recently completed a five-day dance seminar at the Burbank Marriott Hotel along with four specially selected dancers from the Music General in Brainerd.

In addition to the Burbank seminar, she completed jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop classes at the world renowned Millennium and The Edge Performing Arts Studios in Hollywood, Calif. In addition, she completed a yoga workshop in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Oslund joins Nystrom and Associates

BAXTER - Sommer Oslund joined Nystrom and Associates, Baxter, as a staff psychotherapist, licensed independent clinical social worker.

Oslund has a bachelor's degree in social work from St. Cloud State University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She has been working in the mental health field for more than eight years primarily in the school setting focused on families and students.

Hennessey gains promotion

Amber Hennessey, Brainerd, Home & Garden Party designer, was recently promoted to silver designer. To reach this goal, Hennessey had to sponsor two team members and have monthly sales of $300 or more.

Stroschein joins Northern Psychiatric Associates

BAXTER- Cindy Ycaza Stroschein, a licensed psychologist and board-certified rehabilitation counselor, joined Northern Psychiatric Associates in Baxter.

Stroschein graduated with a doctorate in counseling psychology from Capella University and a master's degree in special education/rehabilitation counseling from Utah State University.

She is trained in critical incident stress management group and individual crisis intervention. Her practice includes patients age 16 and older.

Stroschein worked at St. Joseph's Medical Center for 10 years before moving to Michigan to complete her doctoral training. Before joining Northern Psychiatric Associates, she was assistant professor of behavioral medicine at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles, where she started and operated a wellness counseling program for American medical students.

Advisory council to visit Lakewood Health System

STAPLES - The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will visit Lakewood Health System, Staples, on Sept. 25 as the chosen organization for setting a national standard for the Medical Home, Lakewood reported.

As part of a three-day Minnesota visit from the NAC titled "The Medical Home Model: Viability for Rural Communities," a nine-person NAC subcommittee will study the practices Lakewood Health System has implemented in its Medical Home.

Lakewood Health System reported since it introduced the Medical Home in early 2008 more than 200 patients have been added to the program. A Medical Home patient is defined as someone dealing with multiple illnesses, unstable illnesses and is taking multiple medications.

The NAC is a 21-member citizens' panel of experts that provides recommendations on rural health and human services issues to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Harvest Wine Dinner event changes date

The Cuyuna Range Chamber date for the Harvest Wine Dinner has been changed to Oct. 29 at Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge.

Social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Registration deadline is Sept. 30. Cost is $40 in advance and $55 at the door.

Business Insights 2008 planned in Little Falls

LITTLE FALLS - A free business seminar, Business Insights 2008, is planned to begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Little Falls.

The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Pine Country Bank, Little Falls Radio, the Morrison County Record and the Little Falls Business Association are hosting the event at the Initiative Foundation, 405 S.E. First St. in Little Falls.

Dileep Rao, adjunct professor and director for graduate entrepreneurship, University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, has a presentation titled "Seven Secrets for Making Your Business Prosper in Challenging Times." Tom Lyons, founder, Faelon Business Brokers Inc. will follow with "Exit Strategy: Maximizing the Value of Your Business." Bringing the day to a local level is Carol Anderson, executive director, Morrison County Community Development, highlighting opportunities in financing for businesses located in Morrison County.

This free seminar is limited to 75 people on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact the chamber at (320) 632-5155 or e-mail to dboelz@littlefallsmnchamber.com.

Chamber to sponsor Business After Hours

LITTLE FALLS - The Chamber of Commerce of Little Falls will sponsor its next Business After Hours networking event from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at event host Public Access Video, 122 First St. S.E. (Great River Arts Association building). Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

This event is free and open to all chamber members and their employees. For more information, call the chamber at (320) 632-5155. No RSVP needed.

CHOW planned Thursday in Baxter

BAXTER - The Brainerd Lakes Chamber's lunch networking event CHOW is planned from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn Express in Baxter.

Cost is $5 for those who are pre-registered and $7 at the door. For more information, contact the chamber at 829-2838.

Going Into Business' class offered Oct. 9

Central Lakes College in Brainerd will host a Going Into Business For Yourself class from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 9.

This class covers all areas of business startup, helpful advice on how to get a dream off the ground, how to become and stay profitable, including financing a new venture. Follow-up counseling is available to qualified individuals from the Small Business Development Center's team of consultants free of charge.

Tuition is $40 per person and $60 for two business partners. Instructor is Jay Bock.

The class meets in the Business and Industry Center on the Brainerd campus. Payment is required at time of registration and the deadline to register is Oct. 2. For more information, call (800) 933-0346 ext. 8142 or 855-8142.

Personal effectiveness workshop planned

Central Lakes College's Business and Industry Center will host a lunch-and-learn session on recognizing and evaluating personal and professional effectiveness from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10 in Brainerd.

Jean Mershon leads the session that will provide a step-by-step approach for setting foundations to effectively communicate values, beliefs and institutional change in the workplace.

The $35 fee includes lunch. Registration deadline is Oct. 3 by calling (800) 933-0346, ext. 8142 or 855-8142.

Vehicle inspector re-certification class offered

A commercial vehicle inspector re-certification class will be 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 9 at the Business and Industry Center on the Central Lakes College campus in Brainerd.

Re-certification is required every two years. This class will review Minnesota commercial vehicle inspection laws and federal regulations. It will cover new law changes; inspection changes and will include a test for re-certification. The test will be taken during the last hour of class. The class fee is $80. Instructor is Douglas Brown.

Deadline to register is Oct. 2. For more information, call (800) 933-0346 ext. 8142 or 855-8142.

Core Four business planning offered

Central Lakes College has scheduled a Core Four Business Planning course from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17 at the Business and Industry Center on the Brainerd campus.

People with ideas for starting a new business, owners of growing businesses and those seeking business financing are encouraged to attend the course.

The course is made available through a partnership between Northeast Entrepreneur Fund Inc. and the Small Business Development Center at CLC in Brainerd.

Instructor is Lynn Wilson of NEF.

Core Four is designed to help people develop ideas for starting and expanding their own businesses and understand the business planning process. Topics presented include developing a market plan, projecting cash flow and understanding standard business procedures.

Tuition is $244. The deadline to register is Oct. 3. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call (800) 422-0374 or e-mail info@entrepreneurfund.org.

Thrivent Financial receives financial literacy award

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a Minneapolis-based Fortune 500 financial services organization, received the 2008 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education Award from the Institute for Financial Literacy.

The organization was one of just seven individuals/institutions to be honored with the award.

Thrivent Financial was honored for "More Than Money Matters" in the "institutional book of the year in the money management adult category."

"More Than Money Matters" consists of six sessions helping people identify what is most important in their lives and then set appropriate goals. The workshop teaches attendees how to budget, reduce debt and find money to save.

Unicel donates books to Brainerd library

BAXTER - Unicel, in the Westport Shopping Center in Baxter, collected more than 70 children's books as part of a book drive at the store between Aug. 25 and Sept. 14.

The drive is part of a national push by Unicel at its more than 100 retail stores around the country to collect children's books for local charities and libraries. Unicel's Todd Boelter planned to bring the donated books to the Brainerd Public Library.