Meet Kristi

Kristi Perelli is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who began working for Fresenius Medical Care in July of 2005. Kristi has been working in dialysis since she completed nursing school and hasn't looked back!  She says working for FMCNA was the best decision she ever made!  Read on to learn more about Kristi's time with Fresenius Medical Care, and what she thinks makes us a great place to work!

LET’S HEAR WHAT KRISTI HAD TO SAY:

Q: Why did you join the FMCNA team?

A: I was hired by my local hospital on the dialysis unit.  I was right out of nursing school and to be honest I didn't even know what dialysis was, I just took the opportunity to get my foot in the door and transfer to a different unit when I was eligible.  From the first day I started, I knew this is was my calling.  Dialysis was my home.  After a few years working for my local hospital, Fresenius Medical Care acquired my clinic and I took a giant leap of faith and went with the company.  Again, best career decision I have ever made.  Our company is like family and everyone really truly cares for one another.  We have great benefits, career advancement opportunities, and an awesome job to do every day.  I feel very lucky to work for such an amazing company.

Q: How do you feel that your role is a "vital part" in supporting our patients and our company?

A: I feel my role is a "vital part" in supporting the patients and the company because I am the face of the company.  Our patients associate the name "Fresenius" and "dialysis" with the front line faces they see at their treatments.  They observe our attitude and actions as they are sitting on treatment and I want that to be a positive association for them. I take pride in the care I give every day.    The team I work with truly becomes your "family away from your family".  We all share the same goal and that is to do the best job that we can.  We become close with our patient as well since we see them three times a week.  We have a choice to be here, our patients do not, so we try and make it upbeat and fun.  If our patients are happy and thriving we are doing our jobs.

Q: Describe an experience or feeling that stands out when thinking of your career with FMCNA?

A: I worked at the same clinic in Marquette, MI for 14 years.  My family relocated to Maryland and I transferred within the company to my new clinic/home in Annapolis.  I was really heartbroken to leave my coworkers and patients.  Once I got settled in my new home and my new clinic I loved all my new coworkers and patients.  It just shows me that in the dialysis world we are one big family.

Q: Do you feel that you have a powerful effect in your role? If so, how?

A: I feel I have a powerful effect in my role because I have 15 years of experience.  I have been very lucky to work with some really amazing people along my journey and gain a lot of knowledge.  It is so exciting to teach and share my knowledge with my coworkers and patients.

Q: Have you experienced professional growth with personal meaning in your role? If so, how?

A: Having worked for 15+ years I have really come a long way.  I still do the same job, but I feel I have really mastered the skills.  Now that I'm such a seasoned member of the team, I am a go-to person for troubleshooting problems.  I am also the expert cannulator of our clinic and it is the best feeling when patients say things like "it doesn't hurt when you do it" and "you are so good, I'm gonna keep you!" Knowing that what I do puts my patients at ease is a feeling like no other.

Q: Do you feel you or your team/department leads, innovates, succeeds? If so, how?

A: I feel the team I work with is the best around!  We have fun while we work and do an amazing job every day.  We are the clinic every patient wants to come too.

Q: Do you feel that your role allows you to be a partner in caring? If so how?

A: I feel my role does allow me to be a partner in caring. We all have a job to do here, and the more people that truly care about these patients make for better outcomes in their health and ultimately their lives.

About Fresenius Medical Care

We have become a global leader in healthcare because of the unwavering dedication our people bring to work every day. Whether that means developing new-to-market dialysis technology or educating patients, our team touches the lives of more than 190,000 patients through innovative care and profound, personal connections.

With Fresenius Medical Care North America, you will “be the difference,” enabling patients to thrive, providing comfort to families, supporting coworkers so they can realize their goals, compelling our company to achieve through innovation and performance, and driving the development of your career.

Our team is made up of over 70,000 dedicated employees in North America. All of them focus on being the difference and delivering the highest-quality care to people with kidney disease – helping them to lead longer, better, and healthier lives.