Company Address:
Headquarters: 15400 W. Capitol Dr., Suite 105, Brookfield, WI 53005;
Branch office: 2801 International Lane, Madison, WI 53704
Web site: www.barbaraguthriemedical.com
Industry: Joint Commission-certified medical staffing firm specializing in imaging and nursing.
Number of employees: Seven, plus a pool of temporary staff.
Family: “Larry Larsen, husband, sits on my advisory board and also does some consulting. With past experience of owning his own staffing firm, his ideas are very beneficial. I have four grown children: Mary, Joe, Rick and Eric.”
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“The smartest thing our company did last year was to become certified by The Joint Commission. We are one of only a few medical staffing firms certified in the State of Wisconsin. Although special thanks go to Della Rose, who spearheaded the project for the last 18 months, everyone at BGMS worked very hard to receive this prestigious award. We feel that being one of the first to meet the strict standards of The Joint Commission shows our commitment to the quality of our personnel as well as our service.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“We just hired a new imaging sales and recruiting manager, and we are planning on expanding in the summer by bringing on a direct hire rep to better meet the needs of our expanding clientele.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Being an independent, locally owned medical staffing agency, our biggest hurdle is finding top-notch qualified nurses and techs that uphold the BGMS standard. In a shrinking pool of health care professionals, this poses a significant challenge when competing with the national agencies for contract assignments.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Staffing agencies must evolve from a staffing firm to a solutions-based professional services firm.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“To give the highest quality care to facilities and patients in the medical community we serve. We stand for pride, professionalism, dedication and quality. We strive to communicate with respect and consideration to all those that we touch, including patients and staff, not forgetting our own peers within the company.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“I look up to John D’Amore and his wife, Barbara.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Believe in myself and make well-thought-out decisions, not to doubt myself or to look back, only move forward.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“When I was a sales rep during a visit I made to a manager at St. Michael’s Hospital, I had been trying to get the account for quite some time, and finally the manager gave me an appointment. The day came, I looked and dressed very professionally and carried my brand new briefcase with its combination lock into his office. I walked in, shook his hand, sat down and set my briefcase on my lap to open it, then realized I had no idea what the combination was to open it. Embarrassed, I called home to see if my husband could help me with the numbers, with no luck. After verbalizing my presentation without any handouts, papers or props, I apologized profusely and walked out in total humiliation. I do remember doing business with St. Michael’s, so I must have been given a second chance. I periodically see the manager from St. Michael’s and we laugh about the experience. As the saying goes, whatever doesn’t kill you, builds character.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I love to travel, especially to warm places. I like reading books, boating, playing golf (I just joined the Executive Woman’s Golf Association), but most of all, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I immensely enjoy being grandmother to my three grandchildren: Sean, Nathaniel and Grace.”
