Michael Kufro, Practice Director of Neurosurgery at Riverside Medical Group (RMG), describes his family as a health care family. Michael joined the team at Riverside after retiring from a 24-year military career, where he served as a nurse in the Army Medical Corps. His wife was a nurse as well before her retirement early this year.
Not surprisingly, their son, Devin, chose a career in health care. A unique wrinkle was that the father/son team would both end up working for the same organization for the past several years. Devin Kufro is a certified nurse assistant on the PICC team at RRMC.
"I don't really ever see him at work," says Devin with a chuckle. "But it is interesting to work for the same organization."
Michael says that they do occasionally swap stories about the good days and the challenging days. Being able to relate to many of the same issues certainly helps.
Both Michael and Devin joined Riverside about the same time and have stayed because of the mission and patient focus of the organization. Devin likes the culture and considers himself lucky to have excellent management.
They both recently worked through the COVID experience at Riverside.
"My wife was at Riverside for a while, so we were all living through the COVID experience together," explains Michael. "Of course, that also meant that we were able to get the vaccine together once it was available.
"While they don't work directly together, Michael is proud when he hears positive feedback about Devin's work at Riverside. He points out that Devin has been recognized as a Champion of Caring on multiple occasions.
"People often compliment his work ethic and attitude," Michael says. "Devin is seen as someone who puts in the hard work and is eager for more. You can't ask for more than that.
"The Kufros have another son who starting Nursing school in the fall, so they truly are a health care family. And while Father’s Day is a recognition meant for Michael, he is quick to add that he gives most of the credit to his wife.
