Blog
Behind the Scenes at MCMC
Human Resources
Have you ever wondered what HR's role is at a healthcare facility?
Mara Mouw, MCMC's HR Director, answered a few questions to help us understand the role HR plays in a healthcare setting.
I think the majority of us think of HR and think payroll or interviews, but your job involves a lot more than this. How would you explain Human Resources to someone whose never been involved with it?
Human Resources is part of the company that focuses on the people. Making sure that the right people are in the right roles. That they are treated fairly, paid properly, supported when they need support and are given the right tools to help them grow. HR protects both the employee and the company. HR also ensures the company follows labor laws and that employees are treated fairly.
How different is Human Resources in a healthcare setting versus a regular business?
The core of HR is the same, but some differences can be medical licensing verification, background studies, and ongoing certification tracking. In many regular businesses, being short-staffed is inconvenient. In healthcare, being short-staffed can directly impact patient safety and cause employee burnout and high turnover.
How do you handle the various different tasks involved in your role?
HR can feel like you’re juggling 20 things at once. The key isn’t doing everything at the same time. it’s prioritizing, organizing, and knowing what’s urgent vs. important.
What's the best and most challenging part of your role?
The best part is making a real impact on people, not only helping someone get a job but have a career, seeing people grow in their careers, supporting someone through a tough time, improving workplace culture, and making MCMC a great place to work. HR also can be challenging. I think that can be balancing people and business needs and sometimes that comes with making some tough decisions.
How does your work help support patients at MCMC?
HR doesn’t treat patients, but HR supports the people who do. If doctors, nurses, and clinical staff aren’t properly hired, trained, supported, and staffed, patient care suffers. So, HR plays a behind-the-scenes but critical role in patient outcomes.
Is there anything you'd want our patients and community to know?
Retention is just as important as recruitment. In a rural town, hospital employees aren’t just staff members they’re neighbors, friends, coaches, and volunteers. Supporting them through professional development, workplace resources, and a positive culture helps ensure they build lasting careers right here at home. Just as importantly, we focus on employee well-being. Healthcare can be demanding, and supporting our staff helps them provide the attentive, high-quality care our patients deserve.