I took an MT course in 1996, hoping that I could eventually "work at home."  But nobody wanted to hire a newbie.  Finally, 6 years later, a nice lady took a chance on me and hired me as an MT at a pathology lab.  That was one of the most interesting jobs I've ever had, seeing the flow of how the specimens come in with a working diagnosis to a final diagnosis.  I got to see a lot and learn a lot, but mostly it gave me compassion for what other people are going through.  Since then, I've worked in MT jobs, and through down-sizing and lay-offs I finally ended up at Transcend working at home, my goal in the first place!  So it all worked out great!

I completed a 9 month secretarial course in St. Joseph, Missouri back in 1986 with no intention of becoming an MT.  As part of that program, I had to complete a 3 month internship and was placed with the State of Missouri's Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.  Most of the work there was transcription from tapes.  Two weeks before my internship was to end, the transcriptionist put in her 2 weeks notice and I was offered the opportunity to stay on in her place, which I gladly took.  That was the beginning of what has turned out to be a 25+ year career as an MT.  I went on to work in both transcription offices and doctors offices over the years, but in 1998 I made the transition to working at home and done so ever since. It has provided me with a great income while being able to stay home with my two sons, now 17 and 7.  Being an MT has been rewarding in so many ways.  I have been available to be a "full-time" mom while still contributing substantially to the family income like so many of my friends have not when they have to be away at the office all day.  I always say that I just "happened" into this career because all the steps along the way have just fallen into place.  I only just recently took a Medical Terminology course and an Anatomy & Physiology course, so over the last 25 years, it has all been learning on the job and I really appreciate the previous employers who allowed me to learn as I went along.  The education has been invaluable.  By the way, I got As in both classes!

-- Michelle Johnson

I had been "retired" from the work force for almost 10 years when my daughter told me about a medical transcription course.  It sounded like something I would like to do - typing from home!  My husband was retired and it was a good fit for me to earn a little income and get some experience in a new field.  I've been doing this for almost 4 years with Transcend and couldn't ask for a better job experience.  I love my 3rd shift PT schedule.  God willing and the creek don't rise I'll be doing this for lots of years to come...

patricia

I was a stay-at-home mom and my husband came home one day and said "I have the perfect job for you!", as if I wasn't busy enough as it was with the 2 kids.  lol   He heard on the radio schooling for medical transcription to work from home.  It sounded interested and I decided to pursue the courses on-line.  I worked for local doctors until I moved half way across the country and was hired by DeVenture Health Partners, an on-line company.  Then about 1 year later they were acquired by Transcend.  In total I have been in this field for 7-1/2 years now and enjoy it.

Tanya

MT WEEK

I have always loved typing and troubleshooting problems.  I worked as a health insurance claim processor and went back to school to take classes for transcription.  I loved the idea of being able to be a mom and have a career.  I also loved the portability of  a transcription career.  I got a job in a local teaching hospital with 200 new interns every summer.  I gained a lot of experience and loved my job.  The department closed and I chose to work here.  I have loved getting to work with a great group of people and developing my own career at the same time.  I have been able to meet a lot of people (over the phone or in person), travel, and sometimes even surprise myself with what I can accomplish in a day.  My hope is that everyone in this career has pride in the job that he/she does every day because it  is a skill.

Rest in Peace Cindy

Cindy was a special person.  I did not know her long but feel so blessed to have met her and gotten to konw her over the last few months.  Cindy lost her battle with cancer today.  Up until the very end Cindy was such a positive person and worried about everyone else.  If you talked to Cindy you would never know she was sick or how bad she was feeling.  I am so grateful to have met her and she has really inspired me to give everything my all.  Cindy, you will be forever a part of our Preston region and you will be missed!  Here is a picture of me with Cindy when I got to visit her a few months ago.

INSPIRATION

We all receive inspiration from somewhere or something.  Inspiration, motivation, dedication.  Where does it come from?  I received inspiration yesterday from my daughter.  She took on a new project, powerlifting.  I know, I had a perception too of pumped up powerhouses, YIKES!  Not true.  My daughter is in her prom dress one day heading out with her boyfriend and out there competing lifting weights the next.  She set a goal a few years ago to play volleyball in college.  This seemed far fetched at the time considering she is 5'2 and comes from a class D high school.  She will be going to college next fall and will be playing on the team.  She has been training for powerlifting which to her was lifting, exercising, eating right, staying in weight class.  She went to regionals and state and received medals in both.  I teared up last night watching her compete in state because I knew how much she put into it and what an accomplishment it was. People tell me I should be proud.  I am proud, but I feel kudos also goes to my grandparents and parents.  My grandparents instilled in us integrity, work ethic and great business sense along with being honestly good people.  My parents always encouraged us with any idea we had, no matter how silly they may have thought it was.  I have passed all this on to my girls.  It brings to mind a quote I heard the other day "The difference between try and triumph is a little UMPH!"  This gave me a kick of motivation and I hope it does to you too. 

Game Day!

Who ya rooting for this game day team?  Let's shout it out and share.  Are you working and catching the updates?  Are you hosting a big party?  Is it just your family watching the game?  Today is the biggest day for snacks and pizza.

We are all catching up on things in our house, laundry, work, homework.  We will be gathering just us today but of course checking in by phone with my dad over awesome plays or crazy commercials.  He doesn't have a favorite, just roots for whoever the underdog is coming into the game.  I think I am probably the one in our household watching and yelling at the TV over plays and everyone else is like yep, just let us know when a cool commercial comes on.

DINNER OUT

Friday I got the honor of meeting with a few people on our team in the Ohio area.   This is absolutely the best part of my job and I am so blessed to have this opportunity.  This is the proof that "It's better here."  I also got to share this experience with my mom.  We do the jobs we do for our families.  I am where I am today because of my wonderful parents who made me look up every word I wasn't sure how to spell and supported me through everything, even daycare when I started transcription at a hospital. 

Thank you ladies for a great evening!

 We have from left to right:  My mother, me, Michele Gierlach, Maggie Geshwilm, Deb Fultz, Suzanne Gabric.

PRICELESS

One ergonomic keyboard:  $40.00
One headset:                      $25.00
One comfy office chair:       $100.00
Not having to go in the cold and snow to brush car before work:   PRICELESS!!!!

Stay safe and warm Preston region, wherever you may be!

Transcend's Name Your Newsletter Contest

Hello Preston Region!

My name is Ashley Tomaskovich and I am happy to count myself as a member of our region. I am also part of the Culture and Communications team, who are preparing to publish our first employee newsletter.

As newsletter chairperson I want to remind each of you that today is the last day to vote in the "Name Your Newsletter" contest. We will be accepting votes until midnight tonight.

If you would like to vote please send an email to newsletter@trcr.com with subject line Contest, and then tell us which of the 12 names you would like to vote for! The 12 choices are as follows:

1. The Transcend Times
2. Keyboard Klatter
3. Transcend Tribune
4. Ascend at Transcend
5. The Transcend Ticker
6. Type of the Times
7. Transcend To Go
8. The Transcender
9. Transcend Talking Leaf
10. News You Can Use
11. Transcend Trumpeter
12. Talk of Transcend Town

The winning name will be announced with the publication of the first newsletter at the end of January. I hope the Preston Region all makes their voices heard and their vote count!

Vote Preston Region, Vote!

Any readers out there?

Hey everyone.  I hope you all had a great Christmas.  I hear Santa brought a lot of people Nook and Kindle presents this year.  We can all help each other get the most out of it.  Did you know that your local library may have an e-lending for Nook and Kindle for free?  Check with your library and see what is available.  I also found this site http://www.gutenberg.org/ that offers free downloads for various electronic devices.  There are a lot of really good classics on there available and FREE.  If you have any tips, tricks or information to share hop on and post it.  What are y'all reading out there?

BE AN ANGEL

It is that time of year again.  Those of you around the last few years know my repeating theme of "BE AN ANGEL."  I always encourage everyone to think outside of themselves and do something for others.  The first thing people respond with is "I'm busy," "I'm already broke," "I can't make a difference."  Let me tell you, all of those things don't matter in helping anyone.  One thing I realized a long time ago is that you can do very little things that are cheap or may not cost anything and don't take time and do make a difference to someone.  I make it a goal of mine to do a good deed a day.  This can be anything.  You would be surprised just in the response you get from people by opening the door for someone.  Last year I took a roll of quarters to Aldi's grocery store and passed them out to people so they didn't have to pay for a cart.  A quarter made their day.  My teenage girls came home the other day all excited because someone in the car ahead of them paid for their order. They said wow mom, I didn't think other people really did this.

Now especially is the time to think about what you can do for others.  Besides making someone else feel better, helping others makes you feel better too.

What do you do to help others?

MY FINAL DAY AS TL IN THE PRESTON REGION

Thank you so much, Jennifer for your kind words. You are an incredible ROM, mentor and also my friend.

My eyes are filling with tears as I write this today. I am filled with so many mixed emotions..SADNESS to be leaving this region and all of my wonderful friends and teammates as well as EXCITEMENT to embark on this new venture as a QA in the Mitchell Region here at Transcend.

You have all had a tremendous impact on my heart and life in these last 2+ years as a TL and I am so thankful and blessed to have worked with each of you! I know that my teams will continue to do the GREAT job that you've been doing and that you'll continue to make me PROUD!! I have been honored and privileged to work with such an INCREDIBLE TEAM and I hope that you will continue to keep in touch...my e-mail and IM will remain the same!!

I wish you ALL the best!

God Bless you all!!

With love and appreciation,
Mary

Thank you Mary

I just want to post a little thank you.  I know I could never express my feelings on how much Mary Burgess has impacted our region.  Mary is a leader, mentor, friend, and has dedication.  I, as well as some of you, have gotten to know Mary over the past few years.  Mary is moving on to another region but still here in the Transcend family.  Mary, good luck with everything and I am sure that whatever you do yo will succeed.  I hope we have made as much impression in your life as you have in ours.

HALLOWEEN TREATS

I can't believe Halloween is here already.  Many of us have children or grandchildren at home as well as several kiddos coming to the door tomorrow night for goodies. Let's all share in our spooky goodies.  If you are scrambling for some last minute ideas for treats, here you go. 

I am making jello popcorn balls for a treat. Beware of the sugar overload on this one, but they are AWESOME!!

1 stick butter
1 package marshmallows
4 quarts popcorn (I use microwave-2 bags is 4 quarts)
1 small box jello any color

Melt butter and marshmallows in pan. 
Stir in jello powder and mix well.
Pour over popcorn in a bowl and mix well.
Butter hands, shape in balls and place on wax paper.
Let cool and enjoy!!

MOTIVATION

It is the driving force by which we  achieve our goals.
It is literally the desire to do things.

These are great definitions but what are our motivators?

I want to know what motivates each of you.

Is it pride in your work, money, sense of accomplishment, challenge, praise from your team and management, prizes.

For myself, ,I  love a challenge and feeling of pride in my work and I also do like to be acknowledged for doing a great job.

Shout it out Preston region!

Christmas vacation ideas

Does anyone have any good ideas for a Christmas vacation. We decided last year to begin a new tradition of trips to build memories instead of more junk to fill the house.

I am thinking of a trip to DC, NYC or Richmond, VA where we can take in some history and play in the snow. Being from FL, my kids haven't seen real snow.

Does anyone have ideas for free or nearly free things to do at these places?? (Naturally, we need to keep costs down.) Looked at a train ride to DC but it was $664!! OMG!

PRESTON REGION TRAINING

Hey everyone!!  If you haven't taken advantage of the training sessions with Mary yet you are missing out.  You still have time to contact Mary and get signed up for a session. 

If you have attended please share your feedback.  We would love to hear from you.

Keep on learning Preston region. 

We can do anything

Today I ran my first 5K.  Yes, I have been training over the summer for this with a local sports store and group, along with my best friend.  It gave me a big push for the Put Your Best Foot Forward challenge.  I am happy to say I made it across the line today.  WOOHOO!!  Here is the picture of me (right) and my best friend getting ready.

Even though we are through with the challenge, I challenge you all to keep active.  Let's try to have our job be the only thing sedentary about us.  We can do it Preston Region!!