HONORING ALL WHO SERVED

To extend much-deserved gratitude to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who are members of Gundersen Health System's staff, three veterans are being featured.

SHANTEL ARISPE | FINANCIAL COUNSELOR | CUSTOMER FINANCIAL SERVICES

• In what branch of the U.S. military did you serve? I joined the Army in May 2009. I was a Human Resource Specialist in Fort Benning, GA, for 5 years. I worked at the Conus Replacement Center processing Military, Department of Defense and, Civilian contractors overseas.
• Who or what influenced you to join the military? I wanted to experience life outside of the small town I grew up in and I wanted my college paid for. I knew the Army was a great way to do both things.
• What is one of the greatest lessons or skills you learned while serving? I learned so much from being in the Army. It really shaped who I am today.?I learned adaptability, decision-making skills, conflict resolution, teamwork, work ethic, how to remain calm in stressful situations, organization, communication, accountability, and so much more.
• Can you think of a time during your service when you were able to give back to the community? I did a lot of community service while I was in the service. I volunteered at House of Heroes. We did different kinds of services through them. I wrapped presents at the Peachtree Mall during the holidays for donations and did yardwork and home clean-up for veterans and their spouses. I also worked with the Department of Human resources to help organize events for foster children and their families.
• Has your military experience helped you get where you are today? I would not be where I am today without the Army. The Army not only shaped who I am but opened my life up to so many opportunities. You meet so many different people with so many different backgrounds on so many different paths. Because of those people, I have had so many opportunities and am able to live the life I do now.
• When did you join Gundersen Health System and in what position? I moved to the La Crosse area in the summer of 2019. I started working at Gundersen as a Financial Counselor in October 2019. ?

LANCE TRIMBORN | REGISTERED NURSE | ORTHOPEDICS

• In what branch of the U.S. military did you serve? I was in the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 1991 to 2013.?I was activated from 2004 to 2006 with CBHCO medical Unit-Wisconsin during Operation Enduring Freedom. I retired from the Wisconsin Army National Guard- Medical Detachment in 2013 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. I held the positions of Combat Medic, Orthopedic Technician, and NCOIC of Patient Administration.
• ?Who or what influenced you to join the military? My Stepfather served in the military in both the Army and Navy and retired from the Navy with the rank of Navy Commander. He also served in Vietnam.?He assisted me in finding a career in the military where I could use my military skills to serve the state and country, and then use those skills for a civilian career.
• What is one of the greatest lessons or skills you learned while serving??The skill of resourcefulness: getting a job done without access to the resources that would ideally be available.?And the lesson of teamwork-to work as a team to collectively accomplish your goal.
• ?Can you think of a time during your service when you were able to give back to the community? While in the Wisconsin National Guard, we performed a program called Medical Innovative Readiness Training.?We would go to counties in Wisconsin and provide health care to communities where access to health care was not readily available for a variety of reasons.?The care included medical physical exams, dental care, and general medical care.
• Has your military experience helped you get where you are today? The military provided me with skills in a variety of medical jobs and helped establish life lessons of dedication, responsibility, and leadership. These skills helped me begin my career at a hospital in the emergency department.?Which in turn, lead to my current career.?
• When did you join Gundersen Health System and in what position? Lance Trimborn, an RN in the Orthopedic Clinic, joined Gundersen in 2000.

JEFFERY WUENSCH | GENERAL MAINTENANCE WORKER | FACILITY OPERATIONS

• In what branch of the U.S. military did you serve? I served in the United States Air Forces from 1984 to 1988 as a Metal Fabrication Specialist with Civil Engineering. I was first stationed on the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for about 15 months. Then I moved to Travis Airforce Base in California. I worked on almost everything on base except for the aircraft and vehicles.
• Who or what influenced you to join the military? At the time, I had friends who were enlisting in other branches of the military. I thought it would be a good way to find my path and start a career in a trade. Today, I still use the skills I learned.
• What is one of the greatest lessons or skills you learned while serving? The greatest lesson I learned was how big the world is and how it works. It allowed me to be a part of something bigger than the boundaries of my local community.
• Has your military experience helped you get where you are today? Yes, it gave me the opportunity to learn a trade that I still apply to my job today. It helped me grow as a person. I am more appreciative of the simpler things in life and of the things I already have.
• When did you join Gundersen Health System and in what position? Jeffery Wuensch, a general maintenance worker in facility operations has been with Gundersen since September 2013.??