Lakeland, Co-Op helps him climb the healthcare ladder
Shawn Meyer’s career in healthcare traces its roots back to his grandmother. His time at Lakeland University and its Cooperative Education program has helped him continue to grow as a professional.
Meyer, of Marshfield, Wis., has come a long way from working as a 15-year-old aide in the nursing home in Phillips, Wis., where his grandmother, a former director of nursing at the Rice Medical Center in Stevens Point, was serving in retirement as a part-time nurse.
He currently serves as operations manager for the Marshfield Clinic Health System, leading a team of more than 70 direct reports and guiding day-to-day operations, coordinating schedules and recruiting providers and staff.
Meyer is set to graduate from Lakeland this May with a bachelor's degree in business administration and an emphasis in organizational leadership and development and a Co-Op minor.
He’s earning academic credit while working and reflecting on that work through Lakeland’s Co-Op program. “It’s been a positive learning experience for me,” said Meyer, who’s taken advantage of Lakeland’s flexible online platforms for his classes. “I’ve enjoyed the Co-Op part of it, the ability to work and get credit for what I’m doing and what I have done.”
A 2022 Mid-State Technical College graduate with an associate degree in health/health care administration/management, Meyer especially benefits from his interaction with his instructors.
“The questions they ask and the assignments they give make me think about what I’m doing every day,” he said. “I can take that back to the workplace. There’s always an improvement that can be made. It’s being able to connect those dots sometimes.”
Meyer started his healthcare career as a certified nursing assistant. He spent time working in home health and hospice, intensive care, pre- and post-op and wound and hyperbaric medicine. Those roles led to serving as supervisor and safety director for the Marshfield Clinic before being invited to become interim operations manager.
Completing a bachelor’s degree was a requirement, and the door to Lakeland opened thanks to his supervisor, Lauri Kollross, a 2003 Lakeland graduate, along with the seamless transition Lakeland offers to MSTC graduates.
“More schools need to look at this approach for non-traditional students with families and aging parents,” he said. “It opens opportunities for students to advance their careers.”
As he nears completion of his bachelor’s, Meyer is exploring additional degrees while climbing the professional ladder. “A lot of people get their degree and are satisfied, but this makes me want to continue to grow professionally and personally,” Meyer said.
The biggest challenge he faces is the stress it places on his family and enjoying life. When not working or studying, he enjoys driving boats for the Central WI Water Walker Ski Team, along with hunting and fishing adventures with his kids.
Meyer said Lakeland has been incredibly supportive throughout the journey. “My instructors not only help when I need extra time to complete assignments, but they also provide constructive feedback that helps me improve,” he said.
“Despite my busy schedule, I’ve managed to balance my responsibilities, and I attribute much of my success to the support I’ve received from Lakeland. Their commitment to student success has made a significant impact on my ability to navigate this demanding period in my life.”
