In our final Fellow Spotlight of the year, we are checking in with Jennifer Ehrhardt. She fills us in on what she enjoys most about Detroit, her host company, Hospice of Michigan, and what she enjoys most about being a Challenge Detroit Fellow.
Tell us about living in Detroit. What neighborhood do you live in and what things make it unique and exciting?
I live at the intersection of Cass Corridor, Downtown, and Brush Park. It’s an exciting place to live right now because it’s changing rapidly. I’m fortunate to have a 5 minute walk to work. Up until a few weeks ago, I used to pass 1 or 2 people per week along the way. Now the vacant fields of wild flowers have been mowed down and replaced with construction trailers. This picture was taken on my way to work last fall. I love it because it incorporates so many aspects of Detroit: a historic building in decay, the booming Downtown, and the community coming together to create an urban garden.
What do you enjoy most about living, working, playing, giving and leading in Detroit?
The people! I have met so many wonderful, creative, passionate people this past year. When I first moved to Detroit, I was concerned that Detroiters would not be welcoming; I couldn’t have been more wrong. One of my favorite moments this year was when a bunch of fellows went to the Marygrove Community Association’s monthly meeting. They welcomed us with open arms, hosting us for dinner and sharing insights that were critical for our project.
Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.
My host Company is Hospice of Michigan, where I am a data analyst. My primary responsibilities are to work on initiatives to improve quality, streamline processes, mange productivity, and reduce costs. I always get an interesting reaction when I answer this question and usually it isn’t positive. Most people react like “hospice” is a dirty word but as Benjamin Franklin said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” I have learned so much about the importance of quality end-of-life care and the value hospice provides to not only those dying but also their families.
My favorite experiences are going on patient visits. When you stare at a computer screen all day, it’s easy to forget about the importance of what you’re doing. Going out in the field and seeing the effect your work is having on patients and their families is extremely rewarding and reinvigorating.
What have you learned from Challenge Detroit over the past year?
- The value of listening:
Detroiters love to share their stories and it’s critical that newcomers take the time to listen because there is so much valuable information to be gained. - Step outside your comfort zone: It’s easy to be complacent but it’s critical to a fulfilling life to challenge yourself.
- Surround yourself with people who don’t look and think like you: They make you a better person.
What kind of impact do you hope you’ve made within your host company and within the city?
Being a fellow has allowed me the opportunity to work on projects outside of my department, such as implementing a recycling program and conducting an analysis to find a new scrubs provider, which reduced costs for our staff by 28%.
For the city of Detroit, I know that the Challenges we have worked on laid the foundation for great projects to come to life.
What are you most looking forward to in the month of Challenge Detroit?
With a month left, it’s crunch time to get through my bucket list of sites to see in Detroit. I’m also looking forward to soaking up as much time as possible with the fellows. They are an amazing group of people and it’s been an honor working with them.
Also, be sure to check out Jennifer’s video to learn more about her time in Detroit, so far.