Ensuring quality of care at Community Entry Services: Mike Aurand.

Mike Aurand works as a Quality Assurance professional in the Lander based Gary Hudson Center.

Every great healthcare nonprofit must have a culture of "marathon" rather than sprint. Because the care we provide to our clients is what any of us would desire for our children and grandchildren - of whatever age - for their whole life.

To create a culture of continuous improvement is a special skill that requires a special person with detailed attention to the qualities that make the difference in the outcomes for our clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities. We have such a person in Mike Aurand.

Like many long time residents of Lander, Mike is also a mid-western transplant. Originally from Illinois, Mike fell in love with the mountains when doing summer work during college in Estes Park, CO. Then he met a Wyoming girl and has made Lander his home since 1991 where they raised their children and now enjoy some of their grandchildren.

I love coming to work at CES. The staff, the clients, the volunteers and families... they just work so well together that it's a joy to come in every day.

Mike has volunteered at First Stop Health Center, the Salvation Army, and served on its board for years. He's even been President of the Lander Softball association and an umpire!

Mike's son Kreymer, is in the WY National Guard. A long time resident in Lander, Mike ensures the safety of all clients and staff in the Lander center

CES' Rocky Mountain ReEntry Services Brain injury director, Todd Wright collaborated with Mike years ago when Mike was setting up the Lander based Wyoming Life Resource Center to care for Brain Injured clients.

"Mike is one of those guys who can seamlessly move from technical to people skills, and from caring for staff and gently serving our clients. He's just a great supporter of people". (Todd Wright)

Mike and Todd both ran their respective successful Brain injury programs for decades and Mike regularly cooperated with CES on various initiatives over the years prior to coming to work at the CES' Gary Hudson Center several years ago.

As a certified Brain Injury specialist, Mike is recognized state-wide as an expert in the field so has been able to help ensure that our program's quality of care remains high.

"Brain injuries change a person's personality, and can be particularly challenging for both the person and their loved ones as so much needs to be relearned - how to walk, talk, take care of themselves... Helping them through this challenge day by day, week after week, takes a lot of faith and hope in their ability to heal. Learning to hope that tomorrow can be better is a huge plus for anyone in that situation"

Mike's day to day role in Lander is to ensure that each client's care is by the book and customized to their particular circumstance. He acts as a liaison between CES Direct Service Professionals and the external 3rd party Case Managers who supervise the care each of our clients receives.

This added layer of quality control ensures that the care received meets and exceeds all expectations and regulations. It's what we'd all expect for our children or grandchildren, brothers or sisters if they had intellectual or developmental disabilities.

If you're ever around 3rd and Main in Lander, you might run into Mike - he's known around town as the guy who wears shorts even in winter and has a majestic mane of white hair.

Thanks to him, Community Entry Services' care for clients and staff continues to be certified as reaching and exceeding the standards of care for our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries.

To help him continue this important work consider a gift today. https://www.ces-usa.org/donate