Leaders on the Rise: Kaylee Engel
North Shore Health is pleased to partner with University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) Health Care Administration (HCAD) program. HCAD offers seniors the opportunity to participate in a full-time, 12-month administrative residency to provide further insight into the field and connect what they learned in the classroom to what’s happening in the real world. Our blog series, “Leaders on the Rise,” will give you the opportunity to meet HCAD seniors whose residency is at a North Shore center and how the experience will help shape their future career.
Kaylee began her journey with North Shore as a CNA at Elroy Health Services in 2022, where she is now completing her Administrator-in-Training residency. The residency began in June 2024, and she will graduate from UWEC in May 2025.
Why did you decide to study healthcare administration? I’ve always imagined myself in a profession where I would be able to make an impact on others. I attended Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin for two years. I was not completely sure what career path I wanted to pursue. I obtained my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in 2022 and decided to transfer to UWEC for the fall term, in hopes there would be more options to find a career path I was passionate about. I began working as a CNA at Elroy Health Services shortly after. I grew interested in the Health Care Administration Program and declared my major. My passion for caring for the elderly and the long-term care industry has grown tremendously through these experiences and I look forward to my future as an Administrator.
How has the experience been? Colin Hirst, Executive Director at Elroy Health Services, has been a great mentor and helped me prepare to be in a leadership role in my future. He has pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and develop leadership skills throughout this journey. I have already learned so much from an operational standpoint as well as have developed relationships with many of the residents and staff.
What have you enjoyed the most? I have enjoyed working with the Elroy team, residents, and families. Everyone has accepted and supported my journey moving from a CNA into an Administrator-in-Training position. The residents and staff are always friendly, supportive, and willing to give a helping hand.
How do you think this experience will help you complete your goals after graduation? I am confident that the experience at North Shore will prepare me to feel confident and competent to take on a higher leadership role in the future. This experience has helped me prepare and will continue to help me develop many skills as well as understand what experiences may occur in an administrator role.
Kaylee grew up in Reedsburg, Wisconsin with an older sister and younger brother on her family’s beef farm, showing cattle around Wisconsin. She also played softball and hockey. In her spare time, Kaylee enjoys hunting, fishing, helping on the family farm, and spending time at her family’s cabin in Northern Wisconsin. She was a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators and Tau Sigma, a National Honor Society designed to recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students.
