Future Foodservice Leader: Tamara Almquist: Geisinger Health System
Name: Tamara AlmquistCompany: Geisinger Health System
Title: Manager of Environmental and Food Services Geisinger Marworth
Age: 35
Industry Involvement: AHF-serveing on Marketing Committee
Years in Foodservice: 15 (5 in healthcare foodservice)
Educational Background: BS in Biology from East Stroudsburg University; enrolled at University of Scranton studying for my MBA.
What's the most important lesson you have learned? No matter how hard you plan, sometimes things still go wrong. And that's OK.
What's the best career advice you have been given? Be consistent with the way you manage employees — having a good set of policies and procedures helps with this.
What makes you want to stay in the industry? Ability to move forward in my career. There are several opportunities in the industry.
What attracted you to the industry? I've always been interested in the healthcare industry. I only recently tied in my experience in foodservice with my interest in healthcare. Also, the hours are much better in healthcare foodservice than they are in the hotel restaurant industry.
What has been your proudest accomplishment? Top ten finalist for Premier's Illuminating Excellence award 2011, Winner of AHF's Future Horizons award 2011.
Describe the biggest challenge you have overcome. Balancing work, life and school. And I am still trying to overcome this challenge.
What excites you most about the foodservice industry? New food trends.
If you could improve one thing about the industry, what would it be? The perception of foodservices by other members of the healthcare industry.
