Read on to learn more about two of our incredible employees: Michael Ryan, executive chef, and Sam Scharber, cook in Minneapolis.
Hear from Michael and Sam
Describe a typical day for you.
Michael: My days vary greatly, which I enjoy! Some examples of tasks include ordering food to cook for patients, staff and families. I also write the menus, work stations with the cooks, help to prepare for events for the [Children’s Minnesota] board and foundation, and ongoing training.
Sam: For a typical day, I show up at 5:30 a.m. and get breakfast ready in the cafeteria. I serve breakfast from 6:30-10 a.m. We serve anything from omelets, pancakes and French toast, to scrambles eggs, bacon and potatoes. During lunch, I run the stir fry station. To end the day, I prepare all the food for the next day’s breakfast.
What do you love about your job?
Michael: Making it a great day for kids with delicious food!
Sam: I have always enjoyed cooking, but getting to cook for the sick patients, their families and the staff of the hospital is extra special. Getting to interact with everyone and see the smile on their face when they get their food is the best part of my job.
Do you have a favorite memory from working at Children’s Minnesota?
Michael: I got to do an in-room demo of some no-bake chocolate-peanut butter balls with an 8- or 9-year old in oncology, and we both had a blast. A close second is showing off some frog legs to a couple of brothers (waiting for their new sister to arrive in The Mother Baby Center) we made to celebrate leap day!
Sam: My favorite memory is all of the holiday party meals we have done. It is fun watching the volunteers partake in serving. The amount of people we feed throughout the day is amazing.
What is your favorite healthy snack?
Michael: Red pepper hummus!
Sam: My favorite healthy snack would have to be fruit. I enjoy almost any fruit: bananas, oranges, grapes and strawberries. But my favorite has to be apples.
What do you think makes kids amazing?
Michael: The fearless spirits they bring are inspiring to even the adult staff that work with them.
Sam: The thing that I think makes kids amazing even in their current conditions here at Children’s Minnesota, is: They always are able to smile and laugh.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Michael: My own two kids are alumni of Children’s Minnesota and my free time is spent adventuring with them, including hockey for the Minneapolis Storm and dance classes.
Sam: Outside of work, I enjoy soccer. I have played since I was 6 years old. My favorite professional team is Arsenal. I even started coaching soccer a couple of years ago, which has been a lot of fun.
Become part of something amazing
Children’s Minnesota is the seventh largest pediatric health system in the United States, and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to kids. We maintain our longstanding commitment to improve children’s health by providing high-quality, family-centered pediatric services and advancing those efforts through research and education.
We are always looking for remarkable people to help us take care of kids. Whether your experience is in patient care or on the business-side of things, we want you to apply today.
