By Rush City Health Services

Paul always goes above and beyond making sure we have the supplies we need. He is always pleasant and easy to work with.

By Lieutenant Jacquelyn Chard

Officer Jamie Chandler recently promoted to Sergeant in Complex 4 on 3rd Watch at MCF-Rush City.

Sgt. Chandler began her career in MCF-St. Cloud, and then transferred to MCF-Rush City.

Congratulations on your promotion, Sgt. Chandler.

By Melissa Paquette

Alisha Zeller recently joined the MCF-FRB Records team as an OAS-Principal.

Prior to coming to DOC she worked for the Minnesota Judicial Branch as a Court Operations Associate for Rice County Court Administration.

Alisha is actively learning all aspects of her new position and has been a great addition to the work unit.

Welcome to MCF-FRB/Records Alisha!

By Melissa Paquette

Jana Payne began her career with DOC in April 2021 as an OAS-I in Behavioral Health at MCF-Faribault.

Since then she joined the FRB Records team as an OAS-SR and OAS-P, learning all aspects of the records area. While in records, Jana had the opportunity to work closely on the Virtual Court Initiative as MCF-FRB was selected as a pilot host using an online scheduling tool in coordination with the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

The work completed thus far has resulted in over 700 scheduled virtual appearances between MCF-SCL and MCF- FRB. As a result of Jana's hard work, she was promoted to a Virtual Court Navigator Team Lead position.

Congratulations Jana!

Case Manager Career Theresa Wohlhaefer-Maynard sent in this Shout Out for WOOC Case Manager Emily Mitchell:

I want to express how wonderful Emily has been to the RC CM team. She came in as a WOOC at an extremely difficult time at RC. She took on some challenging cases and voluteered for many additional tasks. She was ultimately extended after the untimely passing of CM Cortney Gay. Through everything, she has been a great asset to our team and a wonderful person to work with. She will be greatly missed as her WOOC here come to an end and wish her the best as she continues her journey--but we hope she finds her way back here.

TDS 2 Tina Payton sent in this Shout Out for CT/SD Instructors. Read below:

OPH Officers Chris Veith and Ethan Scheible attended the CT/SD Basic Instructor Course in November of 2022. Since then, we lost our Master and Lead instructors due to new job assignments. Both Chris and Ethan have stepped up over the course of the year and have put in the time and dedication to train new academies in the areas of Control Tactics and Self-Defense and assisted veteran CT/SD instructors with in-service training. Thank you for volunteering your time to train others in such an important field.

And thank you for submitting this, Tina!

If you'd like to submit a Shout Out for a DOC officer, agent or staff, send it to Rosie at rose.widell@state.mn.us.

TDS 2 Tina Payton sent in this Shout Out for Nicholas Koehnen from academy wrap-up. Here's what they had to say:

Shout out to CO2 Nick Koehnen. He was highly praised during their recent academy wrap-up with the executive team. They felt that Officer Koehnen was great at helping and teaching them during their on-the-job-training. Great job Nick!!

And thank you for submitting this, Tina!

If you'd like to submit a Shout Out for a DOC officer, agent or staff, send it to Rosie at rose.widell@state.mn.us.

Lt. Spencer Lekander wrote in about a special Kris-mas Eve Pizza Delivery to Moose Lake's 1st Watch. Ofc. Kris (Kringle) Severs of Moose Lake, personally delivered pizza to Moose Lake's 1st Watch on Christmas Eve! Here's what Lt. Lekander had to say about it:

Just want to give a big Thank You to Ofc. Kris Severs who at about 11:30 on Christmas Eve, contacted Watch Command and asked how many staff were on shift. After told the number of staff, Kris said he would be stopping by to deliver enough Lotzza Motzza pizzas so that everyone working would receive one. What a cool thing to do!

Kris is a veteran Officer who has been with the DOC for a long time. Kris is on 2nd Watch and had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off, but knew that a lot of younger and not so veteran staff worked 1st Watch that night. He said he wanted to do something to thank his fellow brothers and sisters for working the holidays. He remembers being there himself. So he bought a lot (Lotzza) of pizzas and took the time on Christmas Eve to deliver them to the facility. Thanks Kris! The 1st Watch crew appreciated it!

And thank you also, Lt. Lekander for publicly recognizing the kind deeds of Ofc. Severs, who definitely delivered holiday cheer!

If you'd like to submit a Shout Out for a DOC officer, agent or staff, send it to Rosie at rose.widell@state.mn.us.

Jason Seath and Alec Pfarr were recently awarded the Transitions Coordinator positions at MCF-Faribault!

Seath started at FRB as a CO in 2011 working 2nd & 3rd watch utility. He joined the Mentor Program in 2014 and became a member of the Mentor Committee in 2021. Throughout his time at FRB he's been an FTO, CPR Instructor and did a work out of class in Transitions. He promoted to the 3rd watch Rogers Recreation Sgt. position in 2021.

Pfarr started at FRB as a CO in 2018. Since that time he was a Control Tactics & Self-Defense Instructor, and FTO and a Mentor. He's completed work out of class assignments in the areas of Transitions and IP work assignments/room assignments.

Congratulations to you both!

DOC Communication Director Andy Skoogman has accepted a new position as Chief of Staff for the Minneapolis Police Department. In that role, Andy will help lead the implementation of the department’s strategic initiatives and reform measures as defined by both the Police Chief and the Department of Justice. The position presents a tremendous opportunity to help shape the future of the largest municipal police department in the state.

Andy’s last official day with the Department of Corrections is Friday, December 22nd.

The commissioner is actively working to identify and appoint a new communications director to replace Andy. In the interim, Sarah Fitzgerald and Aaron Swanum will coordinate with the commissioner on any media inquiries.