October 2025
Shaun
Karleskint
,
RN
Call Center
SSM Health Medical Group
St Louis
United States
Across every role she has held, Shaun consistently embodies SSM Health’s mission and values. She leads with empathy and commitment, elevating the quality of care for patients and helping colleagues succeed.
Shaun has redefined the role of a Registered Nurse (RN) at the service center, where she supports 73 clinics. In her innovative role, she conducts virtual triage via Microsoft Teams and communicates directly with patients, enhancing efficiency and accessibility across the network.
For two years, Shaun played a key role in implementing Epic, by creating and delivering training programs for nurses, physicians, technicians, and registration staff. She also provided critical clinical site support during the implementation process.
Throughout her career, Shaun has held various roles, collaborating closely with patients and colleagues. These roles include Call Center RN, RN positions at DePaul Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center, RN roles in St. Clare Radiology and St. Clare Emergency Room, SSM Trainer, and positions in St. Mary's CRV Stepdown Unit and Emergency Room.
In her current role, Shaun triages patients across 73 locations and manages online appointments to ensure that patient symptoms align with their appointment dates. If symptoms are not suitable for the scheduled date, she contacts the patient to reassess their condition and determines if an earlier appointment is necessary. She collaborates with clinics to address these situations, ensuring patients are appropriately rescheduled or referred to the correct clinical setting.
Shaun exemplifies SSM Health's mission and values in every interaction with patients and staff. She takes a proactive, hands-on approach by supporting call center staff daily, providing clinic assistance, and personally meeting with new hires to ensure they are well-versed in clinical terminology and equipped to manage high-pressure situations, such as suicidal calls and urgent triage situations.
One recent example demonstrates Shaun’s exceptional commitment:
I wanted to take the time to send a shout-out to Norma Davis and Shaun Karleskint. Last week, on Thursday, Norma received a call where the patient had thought of not wanting to live anymore. Norma remained calm on the call; she did not place the call on hold, and she kept the patient talking until Shaun was able to jump on the call. Shaun spoke to the patient to determine the patient's needs and the best way to assist. Their call was disconnected, but Shaun continued to try to reach the patient back and/or a family member. Shaun determined that a Wellness Check would be beneficial for this patient, and EMS was called. The patient is currently receiving treatment and care.
Shaun, even with the call getting disconnected, thank you for your persistence in reaching the patient and/or family to ensure the patient will be taken care of.
Shaun’s current role as a Call Center RN is a testament to her innovative approach and dedication to improving healthcare delivery across a wide network of 73 clinics. In this position, she leverages tools, such as Microsoft Teams, to conduct triage remotely, ensuring that patient symptoms align with their appointment dates. If a patient’s condition requires more urgent attention, Shaun proactively reaches out to reassess their needs and collaborates with clinics to reschedule appointments or refer patients to the appropriate clinical setting. This hands-on approach demonstrates her commitment to patient-centered care and operational efficiency.
Beyond her triage responsibilities, Shaun plays a pivotal role in supporting call center staff daily, providing clinic assistance and meeting with new hires in person to ensure they are well-prepared for the demands of their roles. Her training focuses on equipping staff with the knowledge of clinical terminology and the skills to handle intense patient interactions, including suicidal calls and urgent triage situations. This dedication to staff development ensures that the entire team is aligned with the organization’s goals of delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
Throughout her career, Shaun has held various roles that reflect her versatility and leadership. She has worked as an RN at DePaul Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, St. Clare Radiology, St. Clare Emergency Room, and St. Mary’s CRV Stepdown Unit and Emergency Room. Additionally, she served as an SSM Trainer and played a key role in implementing Epic by creating and delivering training programs for healthcare professionals and providing critical clinical site support during the implementation process.
Shaun’s contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic were particularly impactful. She provided critical support to emergency rooms, worked the SSM Cardinal Glennon COVID-19 help line, and helped at annual drive-up flu clinics, ensuring that vulnerable populations had access to essential vaccinations. These initiatives highlight her resilience and commitment to community well-being during public health crises.
In all her interactions, whether with patients or staff, Shaun embodies the organization’s mission and values. Her career is a remarkable example of leadership, innovation, and dedication to healthcare excellence, demonstrating the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of many.
For two years, Shaun played a key role in implementing Epic, by creating and delivering training programs for nurses, physicians, technicians, and registration staff. She also provided critical clinical site support during the implementation process.
Throughout her career, Shaun has held various roles, collaborating closely with patients and colleagues. These roles include Call Center RN, RN positions at DePaul Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center, RN roles in St. Clare Radiology and St. Clare Emergency Room, SSM Trainer, and positions in St. Mary's CRV Stepdown Unit and Emergency Room.
In her current role, Shaun triages patients across 73 locations and manages online appointments to ensure that patient symptoms align with their appointment dates. If symptoms are not suitable for the scheduled date, she contacts the patient to reassess their condition and determines if an earlier appointment is necessary. She collaborates with clinics to address these situations, ensuring patients are appropriately rescheduled or referred to the correct clinical setting.
Shaun exemplifies SSM Health's mission and values in every interaction with patients and staff. She takes a proactive, hands-on approach by supporting call center staff daily, providing clinic assistance, and personally meeting with new hires to ensure they are well-versed in clinical terminology and equipped to manage high-pressure situations, such as suicidal calls and urgent triage situations.
One recent example demonstrates Shaun’s exceptional commitment:
I wanted to take the time to send a shout-out to Norma Davis and Shaun Karleskint. Last week, on Thursday, Norma received a call where the patient had thought of not wanting to live anymore. Norma remained calm on the call; she did not place the call on hold, and she kept the patient talking until Shaun was able to jump on the call. Shaun spoke to the patient to determine the patient's needs and the best way to assist. Their call was disconnected, but Shaun continued to try to reach the patient back and/or a family member. Shaun determined that a Wellness Check would be beneficial for this patient, and EMS was called. The patient is currently receiving treatment and care.
Shaun, even with the call getting disconnected, thank you for your persistence in reaching the patient and/or family to ensure the patient will be taken care of.
Shaun’s current role as a Call Center RN is a testament to her innovative approach and dedication to improving healthcare delivery across a wide network of 73 clinics. In this position, she leverages tools, such as Microsoft Teams, to conduct triage remotely, ensuring that patient symptoms align with their appointment dates. If a patient’s condition requires more urgent attention, Shaun proactively reaches out to reassess their needs and collaborates with clinics to reschedule appointments or refer patients to the appropriate clinical setting. This hands-on approach demonstrates her commitment to patient-centered care and operational efficiency.
Beyond her triage responsibilities, Shaun plays a pivotal role in supporting call center staff daily, providing clinic assistance and meeting with new hires in person to ensure they are well-prepared for the demands of their roles. Her training focuses on equipping staff with the knowledge of clinical terminology and the skills to handle intense patient interactions, including suicidal calls and urgent triage situations. This dedication to staff development ensures that the entire team is aligned with the organization’s goals of delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
Throughout her career, Shaun has held various roles that reflect her versatility and leadership. She has worked as an RN at DePaul Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, St. Clare Radiology, St. Clare Emergency Room, and St. Mary’s CRV Stepdown Unit and Emergency Room. Additionally, she served as an SSM Trainer and played a key role in implementing Epic by creating and delivering training programs for healthcare professionals and providing critical clinical site support during the implementation process.
Shaun’s contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic were particularly impactful. She provided critical support to emergency rooms, worked the SSM Cardinal Glennon COVID-19 help line, and helped at annual drive-up flu clinics, ensuring that vulnerable populations had access to essential vaccinations. These initiatives highlight her resilience and commitment to community well-being during public health crises.
In all her interactions, whether with patients or staff, Shaun embodies the organization’s mission and values. Her career is a remarkable example of leadership, innovation, and dedication to healthcare excellence, demonstrating the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of many.