Business Briefcase: New hires, St. Peter’s news, housing seminar, and more

Pat Sassano is the new development director at Florence Crittenton Family Services.

Sassano’s relationship with Florence Crittenton began years ago when he provided tech services to the organization. He quickly became a supporter as well!

Sassano holds a degree in applied science, network and systems administration. Before coming to Florence Crittenton, he was the chief revenue officer at Pinion Technology Core, where he oversaw marketing efforts and led business development for new client acquisitions. He has had a long career in serving clients in Montana.

Born and raised in Helena, Sassano and his wife Amy have three boys: Colin, Cale and Cohen.

“We are thrilled to have Pat on board in our Development office and on our Leadership team,” Executive Director, Carrie Krepps said in a news release. “He brings a unique set of skills and perspective to our organization, with a passion for the work that equally matches his skills.”

Florence Crittenton provides services to strengthen families and build a stronger community.

For more information, visit www.florencecrittenton.org.

St. Peter’s Health, the first health care system in Montana to achieve ISO-9001 quality management certification, was recently notified by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare accrediting agency DNV-GL Healthcare that is has been granted recertification.

ISO is an independent nongovernmental organization that measures and awards companies and organizations based on their adoption and adherence to quality processes and standards. The ISO-9001 standard is based on quality measurement principles like a strong customer focus, process approach, governance and commitment to continual improvement.

St. Peter’s started its ISO-9001 quality management journey in 2018 and was awarded initial certification in 2021. CMS does annual onsite surveys for all health systems, and eligibility for ISO 9001 recertification is conducted every three years.

Thrivent Financial professional Autumn Keller recently earned the Certified Kingdom Advisor designation granted by Kingdom Advisors in Atlanta, Georgia.

To obtain the CKA designation, individuals must demonstrate their financial experience, provide a signed statement of personal stewardship, share references from their pastor and clients, and take a national exam. To maintain their designation, financial professionals must commit to completing continuing education courses and pledge to uphold the Kingdom Advisors’ Code of Ethics, Core Beliefs and personal requirements.

She is now authorized to use the Certified Kingdom Advisor designation in accordance with Kingdom Advisors’ annual compliance and renewal requirements.

Keller serves Christians and their family members in Helena and surrounding areas by providing financial guidance and solutions to help them be wise with money and live generously.

Keller can be reached at 406-442-6091, 2600 Winne Ave., Suite B in Helena.

St. Peter’s Health Chief Executive Officer Wade Johnson, FACHE has been recognized on Becker’s Hospital Review 2024 edition of its “Community Hospital CEOs to Know” list.

According to Becker’s, leaders are honored for their dedication to improving community health, shaping workforce culture, planning for the future, expanding hospital services, and maintaining financial stability. These CEOs “engage with the community to understand its needs and align their hospital’s services and programs accordingly.”

Johnson has been the CEO of St. Peter’s since 2017. This is the third year in a row Johnson has made Beckers’ “CEOs to Know” list; he was also recognized in 2022 and 2023.

Alisha Oellermann has joined Great West Engineering as a grant administrator and compliance specialist in the Helena office.

Oellermann has three years of experience in grant administration at the state level. Prior to administering grants, she worked as a French professor for six years at community colleges and universities.

When not at work, Oellermann enjoys spending time with her partner, Mike, and their 15-year-old pup, Bella. She also enjoys Dragon boating, hiking, arts and crafts, dabbling in other languages and swimming.

The Bureau of Business & Economic Research at the University of Montana is bringing its midyear economic update to seven Montana cities in July and August.

This update’s focus is “Can Housing Be Fixed? What could help housing affordability and what makes it worse?”

It will be in Helena 7:30-9 a.m. July 31 at the Delta Hotel by Marriott Helena Colonial, 2301 Colonial Drive. The cost is $35. Register at https://www.economicoutlookseminar.com/

Speakers are BBER director Patrick Barkey and Todd O’Hair, president and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

The update will take a fresh look at policies and actions that could move the needle on housing affordability.

“Even if consensus and political will are in short supply, that shouldn’t stop us from understanding what an effective path forward for fixing housing might look like,” a press release states.

The Midyear Economic Update is 90 minutes long and includes breakfast.

Other presentations will be in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula.

St. Peter’s Health presented Bee Awards to Help Desk Technician Elijah Harant and Technical Lab Assistant Ma Luisa Tennant.

A companion to the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Bee Award is given to any exceptional general or professional St. Peter’s staff member nominated by patients, family members or colleagues.

The colleague who nominated Harant says he is busy and efficient.

“Elijah was up on the Women’s and Children’s Unit completing a ticket request and noticed some other things the computer systems on our unit needed offered to assist with those along with login issues staff were experiencing. He not only saw our needs but met them with a smile on his face.”

The patient who nominated Tennant says she shows them loving kindness when she remembers them and their situation: “Two different times I came in with complicated orders, and she personally contacted the providers to ensure we got the correct tests in a reasonable amount of time. She is quick, efficient, and gentle with her patients.”