Between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, there is a clanging of heavy machinery and a plume of steam wafting from the stacks at 626 Trail Avenue in Frederick, Maryland. As you climb the stairs to the second floor, the roar of the engines and the pounding of the pistons are almost deafening. The sounds grow louder as you near the top of the stairs, and it sounds like a bustling factory or thriving industrial plant, where the walls are lined with pinball machines that ping, ding, and ring in constant succession. There is the sharp but competent banter of voices, alternatingly commanding and responsive, and somewhere in the background is a phone literally ringing off the hook. As soon as you enter the inner chambers of Baker Rehab Group, bracing yourself for bedlam, the clangor suddenly stops and a warm, peaceful smile envelops you like an oasis of serenity. The effect of this smile is calming and satisfying, and something that feels exactly like home.
Patricia Dahlen is the Billing and Collections Specialist / Referral Expert / Receptionist / Counselor / Chaplin / Hand-holder / Hugger / Party-planner / Crafter Extraordinaire at Baker Rehab Group. If ever a spotlight were in search of an excellent employee, champion, and friend, it would land squarely on the face of our very own Pat Dahlen.
Pat excels at her job, and we love her for that. Her work ethic is incomparable and her dedication to meeting all expectations is admirable. But her greatest talents rest in the beam of her smile and the optimism that guides her faith. Pat is the seeker of the silver lining. And when she finds it- as she always does- she never hesitates to share it with the masses. That is why it is so easy to find yourself bending her ear, seeking solace and a comforting nod. Pat is everyone’s mother.
When Pat was asked what she loved most about her job, she replied with a hierarchical description, starting with how she enjoyed meeting the demands of her multifaceted job. As she transitioned from paper pushing to her love for the people she works with, her voice grew more animated. Her passion increased when she described making sure that everyone had enough support and that things were running smoothly. When she reached the pinnacle reason for why she loves her job, she was breathlessly excited: “What I absolutely love the most is helping the patients and the families when they call. When I get to tell them that we can help them, when no one else can, I absolutely love that. I’ve had people cry to me on the phone, so full of gratitude for my helpfulness. That is the best feeling in the world.”
Baker Rehab Group is pleased to honor Pat as this month’s Spotlight on Excellence Employee. She is a treasure and we are so proud to call her one of our own. Call her for yourself at 866-727-3422 and see how great she really is!