Meet Jodie, Thompson Clinic Manger

Meet Jodie, Thompson Clinic Manager! Jodie grew up in the small town of Unadilla, NE, population 300 and proud groundhog capital of NE! Her coworkers describe her as energetic, sincere, empathetic, and dedicated. These qualities help Jodie to ensure the clinic runs smoothly on a daily basis. This includes making sure the providers, staff, and especially the patients’ needs are being met and that they are happy.

Jodie started with Richard J. Thompson, MD Family Practice in November of 2000 as a Billing Specialist. A few years later, the Office Manager position opened up and she began co-managing with a coworker who became one of her very best friends. They were able to share duties so that each could obtain lighter schedules while caring for little ones at home. Later, her co-manager moved away and soon thereafter Dr. Thompson retired and in December of 2016, the practice became part of Bluestem Health.

Jodie feels very fortunate, along with the rest of the staff, that they were able to stay on and become part of the Bluestem organization. This also made the transition easier for their patients as they got to continue to see the same friendly faces of whom they were accustomed. A positive work environment at Bluestem Health Thompson Clinic as well as being able to make a difference in patients’ lives are the reasons why Jodie loves her job.

She and her husband, Dean, have been married for almost 25 years and they have 3 kids. Kelsie is 24, and she recently got married to her husband, Jack. They live in Minneapolis, MN, where she works at the Children’s Hospital as a Radiology Technician. Halie is 19 and in her first year of college trying to navigate online classes with the goal of becoming a Dental Hygienist. And Mason is 12, in the 6th grade and is doing his best with the distance learning, but mostly prefers to be on electronics. They also have 2 dogs, Eddie and Oscar, who Jodie personally thinks are the best boys in the whole world;)

During non-COVID-19 times, if Jodie is not at work she can most likely be found spending time with her family, reading, taking classes at the YMCA, running outdoors, walking her dogs, or cooking and baking. *And maybe online shopping, but is that really a hobby?

Some COVID-19 changes Jodie has helped to implement to reduce possible exposure for patients and staff, include rescheduling high-risk patients to come in at a later date and giving healthy patients the option to reschedule. Also, they are staggering the schedule to prevent multiple patients from being in the office at the same time and offering telehealthcare as an option. She wants patients to know that she is always available by phone and she is here to help. If a patient does come in for an appointment, she wants to reassure them that all patients are pre-screened via phone call prior to their appointment, again at the entrance of Bryan West, and then once again when they enter the office at the time of check-in. She feels that this is the best way to keep everyone safe and she appreciates how cooperative and understanding patients have been.

At home Jodie’s husband is currently working from home and her children are doing their schooling online. They practice social distancing and only go to the store when necessary. When they do go to the store only one person goes, they wear masks, and use hand sanitizer often – as well as practice an abundance of hand-washing! She urges everyone to keep it up too!

We appreciate you more than you know, Jodie. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to Bluestem Health and our patients!