Meet Mark

Mark Shaw is a Master Social Worker and has been with Fresenius Medical Care since June 2009.  Mark also served four years in the Air Forces as a K9 Officer in Madrid, Spain, and in Incirlik, Turkey as well as 13 months in support of Operation Desert Storm. Mark comes from a military family and believes that many of the skills he has developed while in the Air Force have helped him in his role at Fresenius Medical Care. Read on to learn how he uses his skills in his role!

LET’S HEAR WHAT MARK HAD TO SAY:

Q: Briefly describe your military service:

A: I joined the Air Force in 1989 and came from a family that has a long history of service ranging from WWII up to the present day - my son serving in Afghanistan. I was a K9 Officer who served during the first Gulf War. I spent most of my service overseas in Madrid, Spain, and Incirlik, Turkey, and 13 months in support of Operation Desert Storm.

I attended the Department Of Defense (DOD) Law Enforcement Academy at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TS. And the DOD Military Working dog school. I received a vast amount of training and education through my military experience ranging from weapons training, Air Base Ground defense to drug and explosive location with my military working dog. 

Q: What does it mean to bring your military experience to FMCNA?

A: The military has given me valuable experience and training. In the Air Force, we were committed to Excellence, Courage, and Integrity. These 3 characteristics allow me to lead by example and perform my duties at a high standard. When I wore the uniform, I wore it with pride and honor, so I take on that same model when I wear the uniform of Fresenius Medical Care of pride and honor a commitment to excellence.

Q: How do you see FMCNA leveraging your experience, how do you see your experience propelling your success?

A: Commitment to teamwork, excellence, and Ultra Care. When I come to work, I try to make sure I practice these pillars daily, as from my military experience to my daily duties at Fresenius Medical Care, these pillars allow me to provide the best quality service to our clients as possible. Fresenius Medical Care and my military services, I see as one and the same. I continue to serve my country both on and off the battlefields.

Q: How is FMCNA committed to supporting veterans?

A: FMCNA continues to give veterans opportunities to advance themselves in careers and service to the public. FMCNA allows for veterans to make a smooth transition from military work experience to civilian work experiences with exceptional training and educational opportunities.

Q: Why did you join the FMCNA team?

A: I joined the team for the opportunity to better myself. FMCNA is one of the largest companies in the U.S. and allows its employees to pursue careers that many dreams of holding. When I saw FMCNA from the outside, I saw a company that would give me the chance to provide for my family and continue to serve my community.

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

A: My role as a renal Social Worker, in my belief, has satisfied my calling. As a man of faith, we often talk about finding our calling and pursuing what God had intended for us. Well, as a social worker with Fresenius Medical Care, I have found my calling, and I believe I am doing what God envisions for me. 

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

A: Getting our clients to buy into Compliance and following the guidance of the health care team can sometimes be a challenge with some of our clients. When I first started with FMCNA, I was given the task to fill in for a Social worker who was out on leave, and the Interdisciplinary team asked me to speak to a client who was not following the guidance of the health care team and causing her health care to worsen.

I sat down with the client, and I honestly cannot remember what I said to her, but I know I spoke from the heart. Several days after my conversation with that client, my supervisor received a phone call from the Medical Director stating that he did not know what I had said. But that client had made drastic changes and had become one of the most compliant patients in the clinic. The Medical Director was also asking that I be sent back to his clinic because I performed my job made a lasting impression on the clients, and he wanted me to be part of that team. 

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

A: Yes, as a social worker, we can make a change and provide our clients with the tools and resources to improve their quality of life. 

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

A: As a social worker, we play an essential part in the client’s everyday life, from providing psycho-social assistance to assisting with finding resources that improve daily living. 

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 64,000 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.

Why Join our team?

• Rated as one of Forbes’ U.S. Best Employers
• Paid one-on-one training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(K) and much more