Find Your ‘Me’ in Medstrom: Meet Vonnie
At Medstrom, we appreciate every member of our team and their unique journey. Meet Vonnie, a dedicated Customer Service Representative who’s been with Medstrom since the early days in 2009. As Vonnie approaches her 70th birthday, we had the pleasure of sitting down with her to reflect on her experience with Medstrom and what has kept her with us as a loyal employee throughout the years.
WHAT IS YOUR HISTORY WITH MEDSTROM?
For three decades, Vonnie has known Executive Chairman, David Belli, and Joint CEOs Rachel and Scott Apsey, stemming from their shared workplaces. Their story began in 2009, when the founders earliest entrepreneurial vision of Medstrom was beginning to form. With determination and teamwork at the forefront, they assembled what became known as ‘the dream team’, including Vonnie and a few others operating out of a small office in Castle Donington. Vonnie recalls space was so tight that only two people could fit in the office, prompting morning phone calls to coordinate who would be in. Yet despite the challenges, they persevered, welcoming others into the fold and establishing Medstrom’s very first call centre.
Having known the founders beyond the confines of the workplace, she says it was their determination and vision that inspired her to join Medstrom, solidifying their professional collaboration with a foundation of trust and familiarity. Vonnie has been a fixture of the Medstrom office throughout and amidst the hustle, she fondly reminisces about shared moments, like cooking jacket potatoes and chilli in a slow cooker for the team’s dinners. She recalls, “It was so exciting!”
These moments of bonding afforded a time for exchanging new ideas and where they united in their shared passion for improving patient outcomes.
WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT OF WORKING AT MEDSTROM?
Looking back, Vonnie finds it difficult to pinpoint one singular memory. She reminisces:
“There has been lots of highlights, lots of laughs and fun. Yet, one standout moment was when we collected money for a charity Christmas card fundraiser and witnessed the heartwarming responses from those we aimed to support. Another highlight was when we manufactured our very first hospital bed- it was just another mark of what we had achieved.”
And this is something Medstrom has continued to do over the years, evident through continuous partnerships with charities such as NHS Charities Together and Read for Good, alongside our commitment to supporting local Food Banks through donations.
One thing Vonnie is renowned for is her annual Christmas message, a heartfelt email sent to the entire head office, summarising the year, and extending warm holiday wishes to all. The message is a great example of her invaluable presence within the team, demonstrating her ability to bring everyone together and reflect on our collective accomplishments and losses throughout the year. Most people tend to say, “it doesn’t feel like Christmas until Vonnie’s messages arrives.”
WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD ABOUT WORKING FOR MEDSTROM?
Vonnie takes immense pride in Medstrom’s achievements and an ethos that hasn’t changed since the start. A poignant example lies in the challenges faced during COVID, when we created a video documenting every aspect of our efforts—setting up field hospitals, implementations, and more. Despite her family’s playful remarks about viewing the video on repeat, Vonnie said that she couldn’t help but replay it over and over again- Each time overwhelmed with a sense of pride in our team’s resilience and dedication during the challenging time.
During holiday conversations, Vonnie often finds herself enthusiastically sharing about Medstrom’s Dolphin Therapy mattress, sparking curiosity from others who inquire if it’s her company. While she is quick to clarify that she is an employee at Medstrom, the passion Vonnie exudes for our products speaks volumes. Family will say “you’re so passionate about it” and Vonnie will reply “I am so proud.”
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE AT MEDSTROM?
Reflecting on her journey with Medstrom, Vonnie is quick to identify the dedicated individuals who have tirelessly propelled it forward. As an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) company, there’s a unique sense of collective pride that permeates our culture. Vonnie fondly reminisces, “I’ve loved every minute of it, and I can’t say that I’ve ever thought ‘I don’t want to go to work today’.”
“To me, Medstrom is part of my family that I have been involved in cementing for several years. If somebody is down, I like to think that I can pull everything together and support them – it is one of my strengths.”
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOLDING THE TITLE OF THE OLDEST AND LONGEST SERVING EMPLOYEE AT MEDSTROM?
As we questioned Vonnie about being the oldest and longest-serving employee at Medstrom, she reflects;
“First of all, I consider it a privilege to reach 70 years of age, especially remembering those we have lost far too soon both in our Medstrom family and personally. I am very lucky to work for a great company, enjoy my job and love the team I work with. Retire…not for me, not just yet.”
From the early days of cramped offices and shared dreams to the present, Medstrom stands as a beacon of collective achievement that Vonnie has been a part of since the beginning. And as she looks ahead to her 70th birthday, Vonnie remains steadfast in her commitment, exemplifying the spirit that continues to drive Medstrom forward today.
Discover more about the Medstrom family, their experiences, and how you can join the team here
