Callie Blom
Do you have kids or pets? - Yes I have a partner of over 4 years, and 2 orange boys, Simba & Yoda, who are 8 years old!
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged watched? - I am currently binge watching The Handmaid's tale and it is amazing!! The book I am reading right now is Lessons in Chemistry and I am loving it!
What is your favourite artist? - Taylor Swift – never seen her but going December 2024!!!!!!
What is the best place you ever traveled to? – Greece is my favorite place that I have travelled to so far and my favorite island would have to be Santorini - the sunsets in Santorini are incredible!! I am currently planning my second trip to Greece.
What is your favorite recent memory? My favorite recent memory involves the incredible experience of visiting Thailand and having the opportunity to play with an adorable baby tiger!
If you weren’t a recruiter at Select Medical what would you probably be doing? - I’d own a cat sanctuary on a Greek island :)
Any other interesting tidbits about you? - I have a small business making homemade all natural bath and body products and candles!!!
Mandy Cox
Do you have a significant other? Yes, Bill. Married 20 years this July and two teenage daughters. We also have a Rridgeback /Stafford pup Willow Rose and our kitty Budwards Benson.
What is the last book you read? The 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo (AMAZING and cried so hard in the end, which says a lot for a book)
.
What is your favorite artist? This is so hard, no way I can choose one. The Hip, Dave Matthews, Sturgill Simpson, Mike and the Moonpies, Billie Elish, Taylor.
Have you ever seen them in concert? We are seeing Taylor in T.O in Nov 2024, this will be my 4th time seeing her. Ive seen the hip ½ dozen times being from Kingston they played at keg parties. Dave Matthews 3 times at the Gorge in Washington state – what a magical event!!!
Do you wish you could travel as much as our travel nurses? Absolutely!!!! I wish I knew there was such a thing as travel nursing, I would have considered that as a profession.
Where in Canada would you love to nurse (If you were a nurse)? Rural Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. the community of people is outstanding. Its always about the people that make travel nursing so successful!!
What is one story you love to tell, but rarely get the chance? I have story time in the office usually twice a week at the end of the day. I share my stories.
Do you have a significant other? Do you have kids or pets? Where did you grow up? Yes, my boyfriend, Alex and I are coming up on 4 years this June! I have 2 children (Le Chats) named Mirage and Smokeshow. I mainly grew up in Vancouver aka Surrey but spent some time in Calgary as well.
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged watched? One of my New Year’s resolutions is to spend more time reading and less time on my phone. I am currently reading “Honey and Spice” by Bolu Babalola. My favorite TV show to binge watch is either South Park or The Blacklist.
What is your favourite artist? - My favorite artist used to be Drake and I have seen him 4-5 times in concert, BUT currently I listen to a lot of 90’s-00’s RNB, dancehall and neo-soul.
What is the best place you ever traveled to? Best place I have currently travelled to is Playa Del Carmen/Tulum, Mexico. I am going to Jamaica this Summer which I am SUPER excited about as I will finally get to see where my grandma grew up.
Do you wish you could travel as much as our travel nurses? - OF COURSE! I have just recently started travelling so I have a bit of a travel bug. If I could visit anywhere in Canada I would definitely go to Whitehorse or Sydney.
What is your favorite recent memory? My favorite recent memory was spending my birthday with my boyfriend on Granville island walking through the public market and going crystal shopping.
If you weren’t a recruiter at Select Medical what would you probably be doing? - I would most likely be in school for something psychology, criminology and/or sociology related! I absolutely love psychology and would most likely focus on increasing resources for the BIPOC community.
Michel Akinkeyin
Do you have a significant other? Yes, I have spouse and 3 kids, one puppy, and my mother also lives with us.
Where did you grow up? I was born in Edmonton, and moved to BC in 1996 and just recently moved back to Alberta, just north of Calgary.
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged watched? Fool Me Once on Netflix, amazing series.
What is your favorite artist? Burna Boy, I saw them in concert in Vancouver a few years ago.
What is the best place you ever traveled to? Jamaica and Mexico
Do you wish you could travel as much as our travel nurses? YES! I’d love to nurse in the Maritimes if I was a nurse.
What is one question you wish people would ask you more? Would you like me to buy you a all inclusive roundtrip paid vacation to anywhere you want in the world and which account should I deposit your million dollars in? lol
What is your favorite recent memory? Christmas 2023 in my new home with all my family
What is one story you love to tell, but rarely get the chance? The story of how my parents met in Canada and the sacrifices they went through to get to where they are today, and because of this, I am where I am today.
Laura McIlveen
Do you have a significant other? Kids or pets? Yes, my partner Blaize and I have been together for over 6 years! We have 1 fur child together, our tuxy Ayo!
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged watched? My favorite TV show is Friends! Classic sitcom that never disappoints.
What is your favorite artist? Can’t choose a favorite artist, but I love to listen to Taylor Swift, Eminem, Drake, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, and so many more!
What is the best place you ever traveled to? New York! Would go back again just to have another slice at Joeys Pizza!
Do you wish you could travel as much as our travel nurses? YESS! A road-trip across Canada is on my bucket list!!
What is your favorite recent memory? My favorite recent memory is my Vancouver Island road-trip!! Had a wonderful time exploring the off-road trails and old-growth forests of Port Renfrew! Also watching the otters swim and seeing the famous San Josefs Bay in Port Hardy was such an amazing experience!
If you weren’t a recruiter at Select Medical what would you probably be doing? I love recruiting and chatting with nurses all day! Can’t imagine doing anything else!
Olga Otero
Do you have a significant other? Do you have kids or pets? Yes, my husband Camilo and I have two great teenage boys.
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged watched? I am currently re-reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and getting ready to fully dive into the new Netflix series Macondo set to premier soon.
What is your favorite artist? I love Shakira! Although I haven’t seen her in concert yet.
What is the best place you ever traveled to? I loved Paris and Rome, although my favorite beach was San Andres Island. The ocean’s color is amazing!
Do you wish you could travel as much as our travel nurses? Of course! What’s not to love!
What is your favorite recent memory? I have a few! My favorite memories are with my family. A day at Grouse Mountain and seeing the bears, a visit to the Zoo and seeing up close the most beautiful giraffe and taking a boat ride from Granville Island and getting to see dolphins, seals and the best part whales! You can tell I love animals! 😊
Andrew Rosse
Do you have a significant other? Yes, I am happily married, and I grew up in the beautiful city of North Vancouver, BC!
What is the last TV show you binged watched? The last TV show I binged was Ted Lasso on Apple TV!
What is the best place you ever traveled to? The best place I travelled to would probably be Santorini, Greece and along the Amalfi Coast in Italy!
Where in Canada would you love to nurse (If you were a nurse) I think I would want to be a travel nurse in the Maritimes if I had to pick. I have heard so many stories from nurses who have done a contract there who say that the people are so kind and generous!
What is your favorite recent memory? I went to Palm Springs in October! It is a pretty laid back and cool place that I really liked (hot weather, great restaurants, great people)
If you weren’t a recruiter at Select Medical what would you probably be doing? I would probably be working in Social Work, which is what I did before this!
Brianna Plante
Do you have a significant other? Any Pets? I am engaged to my best friend, Alex! We met through a mutual friend and hit things off and our wedding is this summer 2024! I have a fur baby, my dog Polo! She made the move with me from Calgary in 2021 and is a 95lb bundle of love.
What is your favorite artist? Have you ever seen them in concert? Haha… this question reveals a lot about me. I’m a die hard Jonas Brothers fan. Always have been, and shamelessly always will be! I just recently saw them in concert for the second time and it was incredible. Aside from them, I really enjoy all genres with a special love of EDM/Remixes.
What is the best place you ever traveled to? Italy 100000%! I went in 2022 and it was incredible. The Amalfi coast should be on everyone’s list in my opinion, the food, the wine, and the atmosphere are all fantastic.
What do you like most about your job? This is a question that I think is really telling for everyone, regardless of the job they do. I love supporting people in following their dreams! I take this job as an opportunity to do that in any way I can. Whether its helping a nurse find a contract that allows them to grow in their skillset, or in a new location that they’ve always wanted to go to, or a contract that potentially pays more so they can save for a house. All of those things are important and I feel grateful that I can help make a difference.
If you weren’t a recruiter at Select Medical what would you probably be doing? Currently I cant imagine doing anything different! I love working in the healthcare industry and supporting both clients in filling their needs as well as nurses in following their dreams! I simultaneously am training new recruiters within Select Medical to help do the same thing, and seeing them also succeed is inspiring and what keeps me going!
Thea Junio
Do you have a significant other? Kids or pets? I have a 2 year old Cane Corso named Vito and we live in Burnaby, BC, where I was born and raised. I also spend my days in White Rock, BC, with my boyfriend Cameron and his dog Bobby, who is a 2.5 year old Pitbull/Cane Corso/Sharpei mix.
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged watched? I have an ever-growing TBR (to be read) pile of books that I'm always trying to get through. Currently, I'm reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. The last TV show I truly binge-watched was Vanderpump Rules. I finished all 10 seasons in an alarmingly short amount of time but it was sooo worth it.
What is your favorite artist? Have you ever seen them in concert?
My favourite artist is SZA and she has been my #1 artist on my Spotify wrapped for 2 years in a row! I have never seen her in concert, but I hope to one day.
What is the best place you ever traveled to? I can't just choose one! I could write an entire essay about all my favorite places that I've been to. I loved island hopping in El Nido, Philippines, but I also enjoyed relaxing by the pool in Cabo, Mexico. If I'm in a sunny place by the beach or pool, I'm a very happy gal.
Where in Canada would you love to nurse (If you were a nurse) If I were a travel nurse, I would absolutely love to travel more, just like our nurses do! I think I would choose a contract out east in Nova Scotia, and then plan a road trip across the country since I haven't seen much of Canada outside of BC.
If you weren’t a recruiter at Select Medical what would you probably be doing? Hard Question. I love what I do and I cant imagine doing anything else!
Elijah Hertel
Do you have a significant other? Do you have kids or pets? I have one little guy scout who is 17 years old now and he has been my best friend since I was 10. He is my favorite little senior!
What is the best place you ever traveled to? Where in Canada would you love to nurse (If you were a nurse) I loved New Brunswick, The location is absolutely beautiful and full life, the locals are so friendly and made me feel like I was welcomed there instantly. I cant wait to go back out again and spend even more time there.
What is your favorite recent memory? Spending three days camping on the summit of Bootski Lake! Up in Northern BC near Tumbler Ridge its an incredible hike up to the lake at the top of the mountain. Its surrounded by grizzly bears and mountain goats so you definitely hustle up the mountain.
If you weren’t a recruiter at Select Medical what would you probably be doing? I would love to be a paid guide for Hiking / Kayaking or longer expeditions. Spending time outdoors is very important to me and I take any chance I can to get out and explore!
Miguel Lavaggi
Do you have a significant other? Pets? Yes, my girlfriend Laura, and together, we share our home with our pet cat named Archie.
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged watched? Recently, I delved into the inspiring pages of "Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughey, finding it to be a thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting read. On the television front, I immersed myself in the dark and twisted plot of "The Boys," a show that left a lasting impression.
What is your favorite artist? When it comes to music, my favorite artist is The Weeknd, and I've had the pleasure of attending one of his electrifying concerts at BC Place.
What is the best place you ever traveled to? As someone with a strong passion for travel, I consider Zurich, Switzerland, to be the best place I've ever visited, and I wholeheartedly embrace the idea of exploring new destinations akin to the adventures undertaken by our travel nurses.
What is one story you love to tell, but rarely get the chance? I was in medical university for 4 years on Nevis island in the Caribbean. It's such a beautiful location!
Monica Purchase
Do you have a significant other? Yes, my partner and I have been together for more than three years! I made a spontaneous move to Vancouver in 2018, and it turned out to be a great decision.
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged watched?
I recently watched Dexter for the first time since it was added to Netflix. I loved the first season and now I have to visit Miami to see their Art Deco buildings!
What is your favorite artist? Have you ever seen them in concert?
I don't think I have one favourite but I love Lana Del Rey! I have not seen her live but if she is at Coachella next year I might have to go :)
What is the best place you ever traveled to? It’s hard to pick the absolute best place but I would have to choose either France or Italy. Last time I was in Paris I went severely out of my way to stop over for a few days while going to another international destination and it was 100% worth the trouble to go even just for a quick visit. You will never be bored there.
If you weren’t a recruiter at Select Medical what would you probably be doing? I would love to design a ready to wear collection! However I am very happy to be a recruiter for Select since I love connecting with new people everyday!
Jade van Buuren
Do you have a significant other? I have three beautiful kids who make my life full!.
What is the last book you read, or TV show you binged watched? I watched How to get away with Murder and loved every season, every episode! It allows me to switch my mind off from ‘real’ life and try and become a real-life detective.
What is one question you wish people would ask you more? Instead of asking, what do you do for work, I’d love for people to ask, what are you passionate about?! Then I could talk about meeting new people, seeing new places and tasting all the different foods out there!
What is your favorite recent memory? My favorite memory is seeing snow for the first time, I was in Canada for 6 months and it was Christmas day! It was the most beautiful thing I ever saw and my heart felt full!!!