After 15 years as a registered nurse working the floors of Botsford  (now Beaumont) Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michelle Corbett said she wanted to grow in her career in a new direction.

“I wasn’t unhappy; I just wanted to do something different with my skills,” Michelle said. “I wanted to help people and their families understand what’s going on with their health. I thought I could coordinate care and help move people forward.“

Navigating the health care system can be overwhelming for the uninitiated, Michelle explained. Sometimes people are released from hospitals needing to line up physical therapy, rehabilitative services, and in-home nursing. At the same time, they may need practical help with grocery shopping, meal preparation, light housekeeping and other tasks.

Michelle got the career adjustment she wanted when her husband, Chris, co-founded Marisa Home Care.

Michelle was one of the new company’s first hires, overseeing nursing training, certification and services. She said she enjoys providing care management services, just as she anticipated she would.

While many of the tasks that Marisa Home Care workers perform don’t require medical training, many do.  As a registered nurse, Michelle conducts monthly in-service trainings for caregivers on best practices for procedures like caring for bed sores, suctioning phlegm from a client’s throat, preventing dehydration, and warning signs of urinary tract infections and congestive heart failure.

In addition, Michelle trains home workers who will be providing basic medical services right in the client’s home, watching carefully to ensure each procedure is done correctly and confidently.

Michelle also oversees re-certification of Marisa’s licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants.

“Our staff works together really well,” Michelle said. “They’re great.”

Michelle and Chris are raising three children. Michelle’s favorite activities outside of work and parenting are reading, running, hiking and camping.