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Karen Cromie, RN, Owner and CEO
Karen Cromie was raised in Saginaw, Michigan. She began
working at age ten helping people clean their houses, baking for them and
shoveling sidewalks. Karen learned to play the violin and played in
different groups through high school. At age 12 she began babysitting and
had many regular jobs. She worked for a dairy company and then for J.C.
Penney’s through high school.
After attending one year of college studying to be a
medical secretary, she went to work for Michigan Bell Telephone company as a
long distance operator and then a Service Representative. After marriage,
and the birth of two sons, Karen went to Nursing School. She earned her
nursing degree in 1980, give birth to another son, and hurt her back with
lifting patients in the hospital. Her doctor advised her that she could no
longer work in traditional nursing because of the diagnosis of Degenerative
Disc Disease. Karen then worked in the Quality Assurance Department of the
hospital while studying for a bachelors degree in Management of Human
Resources. After earning the B.A., many doors opened for her.
Karen worked as a rehabilitation consultant for 5 years
for a private rehab company and earned the Certified Case Manager (CCM)
designation. Then she went to work as a pharmaceutical consultant for wound
care products and earned the designation of Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC)
whereas she visited all of mid-Michigan’s long term care facilities and
consulted on wounds and taught CNA’s how to prevent pressure ulcers. During
that time she took 9 weeks leave to attend Emory University’s program for
Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses (WOCN) and studied for and passed the
certification exam. After the pharmaceutical company had a major change in
ownership, it was then that Karen decided to become self-employed. In the
meantime, Karen applied to the National Association of Professional
Geriatric Care Managers (GCM) and was accepted into their membership. She
also does Legal Nurse Consulting (LNC) on a limited basis. The norm for
Karen is constantly learning and advancing her knowledge.
Karen has always enjoyed music and dancing. She has a
passion for wildlife and enjoys watching and feeding the song birds that
spend time in their yard. Karen also enjoys cooking and entertaining family
and friends in their home. Travel is something that John and Karen have
always enjoyed, especially planned trips that include wildlife and birds.
John Cromie, Owner and Administrator
John holds the title of Administrator of Visiting Angels
and handles all financial duties. John also designs over-head
transport systems for the physically challenged.
John was raised in the small south Michigan town of
Sturgis. Newspaper boy from age 7 to 15. Grocery store work during his high
school years. His love of music began when he was only 6 years old, and
learned to play the violin. Continued to play violin up to and including
most of his adult years, in the Midland Symphony Orchestra through 1985.
After high school he attended TriState College for engineering drafting and
design. Served in the Army for two years and was stationed in Colorado in
the Mountain & Cold weather ski troopers, which was a combat engineer group.
He then went to Indiana Institute of Technology and earned an Bachelor of
Science in Mechanical Engineering. He began working for Dow Chemical in 1965
( “In-House” Mechanical Engineer Consultant for World Wide Operations) and
retired in 2001. He maintains his Professional Engineering (P.E.)
registration.
Interests include Classical music, woodworking and John has built two houses
in the past 30 years, reading, wildlife including bird watching and travel.
Special interest in Shaker furniture.
In January of 2000, Karen and John opened their own
business, a non-medical home care franchise, Visiting Angels. One and a half years later they also
opened their own durable medical supply retail store. John was only working
the business on a part time basis until he retired from Dow Chemical in June
of 2001. Their work together has been very rewarding. They both have a
compassion for the elderly and those of all ages who have needs due to their
disabilities.
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Heidi Bernreuter,
Accounts Manager
At Visiting Angels, Heidi insures the
accuracy and privacy of all our client accounts. If
you ever have questions regarding payments or invoices,
Heidi has the answers. She received a Bachelor Degree
in Business Administration from Northwood University with
a Major in Management/Marketing. In February of 2007
she will celebrate her fifth year of employment with
Visiting Angels. She enjoys spending time with her
family, and her two children keep her quite busy. |
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Douglas
Hammond, Operations Manager
Douglas
came to Visiting Angels in 2007 and has taken on the responsibility
of daily operational management in the office. Prior
to working for Visiting Angels, he acquired experience in
operations for a small business and university organization.
In May 2008, Douglas will be completing his BBA Degree in
Management at Northwood University. Outside of the
office, Douglas plays guitar and coaches a basketball team,
along with participating in various other sports and musical
venues.
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Linda
Raymond - Scheduler
Linda joined our staff in August of 2007.
She works in our scheduling office, helping coordinate caregivers
and client schedules. She comes to the office with
a certification as a health unit coordinator, which she
received after raising children and returning to college.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family,
cooking, and every now and then a weekend away at their
cottage. |
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Karen & John Cromie, Owners |
Read a personal
welcome message from CEO, Karen Cromie |
