Mara Adelman, PA
What brought you to OLE?
I started working at OLE in August of 2003 as a student. I did that for two years and decided after working with all the amazing staff and patients that OLE was where I wanted to continue to work.
Tell us a little bit about your time at OLE.
When I first started at OLE, we were in a very small clinic building on Trancas across from the hospital. I moved to the Pear Tree Lane site when it opened and it felt like a spacious mansion, for about one year and we filled it up.
Over the years I have been lucky enough to work at every single site, except the new mobile unit. I opened our first Fairfield clinic with my fabulous medical assistant Karla. Working in a new county took some getting used to but was so fun. I love every clinic I have ever worked out of, but the diversity of our Solano County patients was amazing.
Over the years I have done everything from championing our asthma protocols, interviewing and on-boarding staff members and students, running the TB group, and helping with the Diabetes group. The largest and most fun project I got to do was to be our disaster preparedness manager for seven years. We had many training sessions and several large hands-on drills that were amazing.
I stay because at the end of the day we do it best! I would not trade the people at OLE or our patient population for anything.
What advice do you have for someone new to OLE?
I tell all new staff to protect themselves, know their boundaries so as not to burn out and they can stay for at least as long as I have.
Elaine Ellis, Billing
Specialist
What brought you to OLE?
When I first started, I was with Sister Ann Dental, and we weren’t merged yet. I was glad when we merged a few years later because it gave me the opportunity to grow within the organization.
What roles have you had at OLE?
I started as a receptionist for dental, then I moved to the billing department as a billing specialist.
What is your favorite thing about working at OLE?
My co-workers! They make it easy to come to work, we are like family, we fight, we laugh, we cry. Our department has a very special bond.
What are three words that describe OLE?
Kind, fun, and helpful
What advice do you have for someone just starting at OLE?
Pay attention to detail, take lots of notes, and always have a smile on your face.
