Why I Came, Why I Stayed: Changes at Methodist gave Rhonnie Berman opportunities for personal growth throughout ‘30 wonderful years’

In “Why I Came, Why I Stayed,” you’ll get to know people who are making a difference every day at Methodist and how they contribute to providing The Meaning of Care.

Rhonnie Berman
Operations Administrator, Information Technology
Methodist Health System

Tell us more about yourself and your background.

I’m a wife to Geoff (also a Methodist employee), mother to four and “Nana” to 11. 

I work as an operations administrator for Information Technology (IT) at Methodist. 

I also consider myself a mixed media artist and have had the opportunity to work in many mediums. About eight years ago, I created a unique art form using zippers and wool needle felting. I have written six books on the subject, and my husband and I created a small business called Zipply Art. We travel the Midwest, teaching and vending at fiber art shows. Locally, I also teach a monthly class at Lauritzen Gardens.

Our family loves to play board games, and we started our own convention, PretzCon, which is held in Omaha in July. This has been going on now for over 12 years. 

Why Methodist? What attracted you to the organization?

We moved to Omaha from California in 1983 with three small boys and added a girl that year. It made sense to stay home with the children until they were a bit older, but in 1994 I found a place at Methodist Hospital. I started in the food services department and became the catering office manager for Methodist before Integrated Services assumed those duties. All the clerical staff from food service and maintenance at Methodist Hospital and Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital transitioned to be on the ground floor of creating the Customer Service Call Center for facilities service. While working at the Customer Service Call Center, I worked closely with the Methodist expansion project manager and was able to attend several meetings regarding the HealthWest expansion before I moved to the Information Technology team.

When I joined IT and worked the Methodist Service Desk, there was only one other person who answered the calls. We didn’t have a large network, and personal computers weren’t common. Nursing staff used something called “Dumb Terminals” and used light pens to chart in their medical application called MIS. Our email and ticketing system was done via the mainframe. The changes I have seen have been immense. We now have a staff of 22 and are open 24/7.

I went back to school to increase my knowledge of the changing IT world and was able to keep up with growing duties while the health system kept growing. I answered phones and worked on new user security accesses. I was also tasked with converting reports from the mainframe to office tools. I’ve also been able to work on many major projects, including creating a new incident reporting system and changing the onboarding process for new providers, employees and contractors.

What is it about Methodist that keeps you coming back?

Each time the health system grew or changed, I had an opportunity for personal growth and change – a challenge to be better and learn. Methodist changed and shaped me into the woman I am today. I will be forever grateful.

Sadly, I have announced my retirement after 30 wonderful years and will pursue my art work full time. 

What is a favorite memory of your time at Methodist?

It’s funny that after 30 years with Methodist, my fondest memory would be from near the start of my time in catering. 

The Methodist Health System Board would meet once a month and have a dinner in the Nebraska Room at Methodist Hospital. The meeting held in October had a fall theme, and I carved a pumpkin with the Methodist heart and dove symbol. Who knew I would be under that logo for so long?

Have you had a mentor or colleague at Methodist who made a difference for you?

I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people on my Methodist journey. I would be remiss to start naming them. They know who they are and always have my love and admiration. 

However, my newest favorite coworker is my husband, Geoff, who joined the IT team last year. We already worked closely in our personal lives, and it has been fun having him here, as well.