You Make the DifferenceYou Make the Difference

Sponsored bythe Wisconsin Hospital Association

2012 WisconsinHealth Care

Employee Pride Program

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The Wisconsin Health Care Employee Pride Program 2012

Table of Contents by Job Title Page Table of Contents by Job Title i-iii Table of Contents by City iv-vi Clinical Professional Andrea Anderson, Physicians Assistant St. Joseph's Health Services - Gundersen Lutheran, Hillsboro ............................. 1 Janelle B. Baldwin, Lead Fitness Trainer Agnesian Healthcare/St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du lac .......................................... 2 Kimberly Harter, Medical Laboratory Technician Vernon Memorial Healthcare, Viroqua .................................................................. 3 Darcy Jensen, Respiratory Therapist St. Clare Hospital, Baraboo ..................................................................................... 4 Wendy Langreck, Physical Therapist Assistant Memorial Medical Center, Neillsville ..................................................................... 5 Shirley A. Noffke, Patient Access Representative Aurora Medical Center Manitowoc County, Two Rivers ........................................ 6 Art Peek, Social Worker Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse........................... 7 Natashia Peschel, Respiratory Care Practitioner Divine Savior Healthcare, Portage………………………………………………………………… 8 Rhonda Radandt, Emergency Dept. Tech II Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Franklin ............................................................. 9 Nursing Kimberly K. Amason, Registered Nurse Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints, Racine ............................................ 10 Amy Clark, Registered Nurse St. Croix Regional Medical Center, St. Croix Falls ................................................ 11 Marcy E. Engebretson, MSN-ED, Registered Nurse VA Medical Center, Tomah .................................................................................... 12 Mary Farning, Registered Nurse Memorial Health Center, Medford ........................................................................ 13

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Nursing (continued) Holly Horkman, Registered Nurse Bellin Hospital, Green Bay ..................................................................................... 14 Bobbie Jo John, CNA Mile Bluff Medical Center, Mauston ...................................................................... 15 Amy Laridaen, Registered Nurse Aurora Medical Center, Oshkosh ........................................................................... 16 Carol Moellenberndt, RN - Obstetrics Ministry Door County Medical Center, Sturgeon Bay ........................................... 17 Mary Ann Nero, RN, Employee Health Nurse Community Health Network, Berlin ...................................................................... 18 Molly (Marlene) Olson, CNA Burnett Medical Center, Grantsburg ..................................................................... 19 Sue Schmeichel, Registered Nurse Holy Family Memorial, Manitowoc ...................................................................... 20 Crystal Sturm, Registered Nurse Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph, Inc., Milwaukee ............................................... 21 Patricia Van Buren, RN, Foot Clinic Nurse Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc., Beaver Dam ........................................ 22 Laura Vande Boom, Registered Nurse Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, Grafton ......................................................... 23 Susan Wilhelm, RN - Perioperative Services Memorial Medical Center, Ashland ...................................................................... 24 Nicole Winters, RN IV Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Francis, Inc., Milwaukee ...........................25 Support Service Sandy Andrews, Diabetes Educator Southwest Health Center, Platteville .................................................................... 26 Tiffany Berg, Counselor St. Joseph's Hospital, Chippewa Falls ................................................................... 27 Cindy Bunker, Planning Analyst St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay ........................................................................... 28 Pam Chadwick, Hospitality Associate UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center, Watertown .............. 29

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Support Service (continued)

Diana Hanson, Sr. Admin. Secretary UW Hospitals and Clinics, Madison ..................................................................... 30 Brenda Jochem, Administrative Assistant Sr. Aurora Medical Center, Hartford .......................................................................... 31 Sue Kratz, Medical Transciptionist Mercy Health System Corporation, Janesville ..................................................... 32 Cole Pederson, Nutrition Services Cook Osceola Medical Center, Osceola .......................................................................... 33 Therese Schuh, Transcriptionist Tomah Memorial Hospital, Tomah ...................................................................... 34 Christine Tandberg, Environmental Services Technician Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire ......................................................................... 35 Sue Ziebell, EVS Aide Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau ...................................................................... 36

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The Wisconsin Health Care Employee Pride Program 2012

Table of Contents by City Page Table of Contents by Job Title i-iii Table of Contents by City iv-vi Ashland Memorial Medical Center Susan Wilhelm, RN - Perioperative Services ..................................................... 24 Baraboo St. Clare Hospital Darcy Jensen, Respiratory Therapist .................................................................. 4 Beaver Dam Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc. Patricia Van Buren, RN, Foot Clinic Nurse ......................................................... 22 Berlin Community Health Network Mary Ann Nero, RN, Employee Health Nurse .................................................... 18 Chippewa Falls St. Joseph's Hospital Tiffany Berg, Counselor ..................................................................................... 27 Eau Claire Sacred Heart Hospital Christine Tandberg, Environmental Services Technician ................................... 35 Fond du Lac Agnesian Healthcare/St. Agnes Hospital Janelle B. Baldwin, Lead Fitness Trainer ............................................................ 2 Franklin Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Franklin Rhonda Radandt, Emergency Dept. Tech II ....................................................... 9 Grafton Aurora Medical Center in Grafton Laura Vande Boom, Registered Nurse .............................................................. 23 Grantsburg Burnett Medical Center Molly (Marlene) Olson, CNA .............................................................................. 19

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Green Bay Bellin Hospital Holly Horkman, Registered Nurse...................................................................... 14 St. Vincent Hospital Cindy Bunker, Planning Analyst ......................................................................... 28 Hartford Aurora Medical Center in Hartford Brenda Jochem, Administrative Assistant Sr. .................................................... 31 Hillsboro St. Joseph's Health Services - Gundersen Lutheran Andrea Anderson, Physicians Assistant ............................................................. 1 Janesville Mercy Health System Corporation Sue Kratz, Medical Transciptionist ..................................................................... 32 La Crosse Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse Art Peek, Social Worker ...................................................................................... 7 Madison UW Hospitals and Clinics Diana Hanson, Sr. Admin. Secretary ................................................................. 30 Manitowoc Holy Family Memorial Sue Schmeichel, Registered Nurse ................................................................... 20 Mauston Mile Bluff Medical Center Bobbie Jo John, CNA ........................................................................................ 15 Medford Memorial Health Center Mary Farning, Registered Nurse ........................................................................ 13 Milwaukee Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph, Inc. Crystal Sturm, Registered Nurse ....................................................................... 21 Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Francis, Inc. Nicole Winters, RN IV ........................................................................................ 25 Neillsville Memorial Medical Center Wendy Langreck, Physical Therapist Assistant................................................... 5

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Osceola Osceola Medical Center Cole Pederson, Nutrition Services Cook ............................................................ 33 Oshkosh Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh Amy Laridaen, Registered Nurse ....................................................................... 16 Platteville Southwest Health Center Sandy Andrews, Diabetes Educator .................................................................. 26 Portage Divine Savior Healthcare Natashia Peschel, Respiratory Care Practitioner ................................................. 8 Racine Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints Kimberly K. Amason, Registered Nurse ............................................................. 10 St. Croix Falls St. Croix Regional Medical Center Amy Clark, Registered Nurse ............................................................................ 11 Sturgeon Bay Ministry Door County Medical Center Carol Moellenberndt, RN - Obstetrics ................................................................ 17 Tomah Tomah Memorial Hospital Therese Schuh, Transcriptionist ........................................................................ 34 VA Medical Center Marcy E. Engebretson, MSN-ED, Registered Nurse .......................................... 12 Two Rivers Aurora Medical Center Manitowoc County Shirley A. Noffke, Patient Access Representative ............................................... 6 Viroqua Vernon Memorial Healthcare Kimberly Harter, Medical Laboratory Technician................................................. 3 Watertown UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center Pam Chadwick, Hospitality Associate ................................................................ 29 Wausau Aspirus Wausau Hospital Sue Ziebell, EVS Aide ....................................................................................... 36

Clinical Professional

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I am a family practice physician assistant (PA). This means I am a healer, a friend, a motivator, a student, and above all, a confidant. My day consists of people telling me their stories, whether it relates to illness or personal issues with which they may be struggling. My job is to listen, come up with a plan, and help them overcome whatever it is that may be ailing them. No patient is the same; no day is the same; in medicine you are always learning- it’s what makes my career challenging and most of all, rewarding. There is no spectacular story that drew me into becoming a PA. The medical field has always intrigued me, and I had considered becoming a physician. When I learned more about the PA career, I was drawn in by the ability to practice medicine almost as a physician does, but with the supervision of a physician- someone with which to collaborate. I also liked the idea of being able to do this with fewer years of education than is required of a physician, mostly because I wanted to start a family. Family is very important to me. That is why I feel so fortunate to be working in a rural setting (the town where I was born and raised, no less) where I can take care of families as they grow. I see pregnant women, and care for their babies after they are born. I care for three generations within some families. I get to know my patients and their histories, which is important to both them and me. This continuity of care and the positive relationships I am able to develop make me proud and satisfied to be doing what I am today. Andrea Anderson Physicians Assistant St. Joseph’s Health Services – Gundersen Lutheran

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I have always been drawn to science, and was the kid that played mad scientist in the basement with little chemistry set. Biology and science were my favorite subjects. After I graduated from college, I had a knee injury that led me into Physical Therapy for rehabilitation. Rehab of the human body was fascinating, and I know then, “I can do this!” This is the perfect combination of my athletic ability and my love of science! I returned to college after and pursued my dream, graduating as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I took a job with Agnesian Healthcare right after graduating and have been able to work in many different settings since. The field of Physical Therapy is full of specialties and the continuing education feeds my quest for continued learning. I have been able to work in with patients at home after surgeries to walk again; do aquatic therapy and also do Work Hardening and Conditioning with injured workers to get them back to work. I have had the opportunity to open 2 fitness centers and now teach exercise classes as part of my work day as my career developed and changed. I currently work in the fitness world creating healthy and fit lifestyles. The most rewarding aspect of my career in healthcare is the journey, walking alongside people who are in need; getting their health and wellness back. I find great satisfaction in giving people the tools and information to succeed with their goals. I have the privilege of teaching people about how their bodies work, and what it takes to be a whole and well person. The gratitude verbally expressed; the tears of gratitude and the thank you’s I receive daily from my gym members; reinforces God’s path and my decision to do Fitness Training in healthcare. Janelle B. Baldwin PTA, CWT, STS, CSCI Lead Fitness Trainer at the ZONE Agnesian Healthcare/St. Agnes Hospital

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My high school Anatomy class really opened my eyes to the career path I wanted to take. Biology, Chemistry and Math always made more sense to me, unlike the fanciful writing classes, literature and arts which bored me silly. Dissecting various things and learning about the body and how it worked intrigued me and led me to the medical laboratory. It is here that I am able to be part of the process in the diagnosis, treatment and care of a patient. Performing lab analysis on various patient sample types and providing the caregiver vital information about the patient has been a very rewarding experience. It is a career that I truly love. At one point in my career I traveled for a little over three years, working in various size laboratories and health care establishments. While traveling, what I found to be most comforting and stabilizing was that no matter where I worked, whether it was Wisconsin, Montana or Alaska, the lab work and dedication to providing quality care remained the number one priority. This career is ever expanding. Technology changes and advances but what we do for the patients and their families is truly outstanding. I am proud to be part of something so incredible, to have my initials on patient’s lab results knowing that the work I do makes a difference. My work allows me to get up every day and continue on my path in the delivery of quality patient care thru lab analysis in the health care field. I have come full circle in this journey. I went to high school in Viroqua, started my lab career in the Vernon Memorial Healthcare (VMH) lab, traveled, and now am back at VMH. Its 20 years later and I am proud to still be a part of this great team. Kimberly Harter Medical Laboratory Technician Vernon Memorial Healthcare

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Being in the moment, making a difference day in and day out, and putting others before you. These phrases describe being an individual who works in healthcare. Some of the first memories I have from starting in healthcare seven years ago as a new Respiratory Therapist are both scary and exhilarating. Starting out at a Level 1 trauma center hospital and seeing patients fighting for their lives make you realize quickly how much you want to help that person and their family. I learned to put myself in their shoes and found in myself that my job made me a stronger and more caring person. When I changed jobs to a much smaller more community-driven hospital I thought, “How am I going to make a difference on the same level I felt I did at my previous job?” I quickly learned that at all levels of care being a healthcare provider is important. Working in Pulmonary Rehab has taught me the importance of empowering the patient with knowledge about their respiratory disease. I strive every day that I am at work for my patients to learn something new that they can apply to their health and improve their quality of life. Like a working engine, all the small and big pieces must work together to propel the vehicle forward. Healthcare is the same way. Each healthcare provider must do their job to the best of their ability to help move the patient forward to better health and knowledge. Seven years ago when I was new, I never could have imaged the bonds I have made, the impact each patient has had on me, and my continued passion to provide great care to the patients I work with. Being one of the “pieces” of providing great care to patients is why I come to work each day and why I recommend to anyone looking for a career that is fulfilling and meaningful to pursue a career in healthcare.

Darcy Jensen Respiratory Therapist – Pulmonary Rehab St. Clare Hospital

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Physical Therapy is an incredibly rewarding career. As a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and a healthcare provider I am doing something that matters for others and for me. A PTA helps a patient restore functional movement by assisting the Physical Therapist with treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. This is important because functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy. As a Physical Therapist Assistant I also get to be involved in the complete healing process with each patient. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. Since physical therapy is very one-on-one, I feel to be a great PTA you have to be a great listener. This is critical to gather information about a patient’s injury or disorder, as well as to be there to be encouraging, supportive, and understanding when people are hurting and frustrated. I truly feel most rewarded at the end of the day when I can help someone go from tears to laughing by the time their physical therapy session is over. I have been privileged as an employee at Memorial Medical Center to work with a wide variety of patients, such as accident victims and individuals with short and long-term disabling conditions, such as low back pain, fractures, head injuries, arthritis, and heart disease. I also enjoy the diversity of the career with no two days ever being the same, as well as no two patients with the same injury or disorder ever being the same. Physical Therapy is an exciting career that is always changing and advancing. As PTA I am involved in changing people’s lives for the better. What could be more rewarding or exciting than that? Wendy Langreck Physical Therapist Assistant Memorial Medical Center

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My name is Shirley Noffke and I am a Patient Access Representative at Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers. I work in various departments. I bring a sense of commitment, compassion and confidentially to my job. My top priority is to make sure every patient and family member is treated with dignity, compassion and respect. My son was born with cerebral palsy. I spent countless hours taking him to specialists and hospitals. While doing all this, I felt very lonely and had nobody to talk to. Staff at certain facilities were not very friendly, and I felt like my son and I were a bother to them. I could overhear them talking negatively about other patients. I thought, “What must they be saying about us?” I knew I wanted to make a difference for others in similar situations. With over fourteen years in the hospitality field, I knew I had it in me. After obtaining degrees in health care, I sought employment at Aurora Medical Center Manitowoc County (AMCMC). This was always my goal, and it finally came true this past November. Just 5 days ago my husband had a seizure. He was rushed to Aurora ED, where he had a grand mal seizure the minute he arrived. I was in such shock that I felt like I was about to pass out. I am a very strong woman, but I now have firsthand experience in how people feel in such a situation. From the ED physician to the nursing staff, there was NOT one caregiver that treated me like a nobody. They were all sympathetic and sat and answered any questions I had. They would ask me how I was feeling, telling me to call whenever I felt overwhelmed. This experience with staff offering positive support has definitely reaffirmed my health career choice. Shirley A. Noffke Patient Access Representative Aurora Medical Center Manitowoc County

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I stand before you as a product of time, expense, and human kindness. From birth and throughout all of my life up to this present moment, I have been the benefactor of the efforts of so many. I cannot and should not take all these efforts for granted. Day in and day out, I have come to learn that my life has been built on the labors of so many people. Wonderful parents, skilled health care professionals, insightful teachers and other fellow travelers on this planet, all have brought me through the tender years of infancy into the aging years of adulthood. Years ago, as I entered College, I vowed that I would do something as a profession that would allow me to return that which has been given to me; a sympathetic ear, a caring heart, a tender touch and a problem solving mind. I became a Medical Social Worker. My profession as a social worker is affirmed daily as I try to enhance the needs of all people, especially those that are vulnerable, oppressed or living in poverty. Will I ever be able to give back as much as I have received, I doubt not. I am alive today, literally, because skilled health care professionals cared. Albert Einstein once stated “…earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received and I am still receiving.” Every day I come to the medical center asking why? Why come at all, why be a social worker? And a quiet simple phrase echo’s into my mind “because I have been given much, I too should give” That is why I love my profession as a Medial Social Worker. That is why I chose a career in Healthcare, simply put “I too should give”. Art Peek Social Worker Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare

I have worked for Divine Savior for over 12 years, starting first as a CNA at Extended Care while

I was in college, a respiratory therapist in the hospital upon graduation and I am now continuing

to use my skills and knowledge in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab. I enjoy this position because

I like meeting with patients during their initial intake and helping them to set goals for themselves

prior to starting their rehab sessions. It is really rewarding when you are part of the process and

helping patients achieve their goals as they go through the program.

This week I met with a new patient that even prior to coming to see we had already started to

make positive lifestyle changes. She was able to identify that she was under a lot of stress

during the last year, grieving for the loss of her father, becoming caregiver for her own mother as

well as mother-in-law. I told her about our mission statement quoting “We care best for others

when we care for ourselves.” This patient really could relate to this statement and appreciated

hearing it.

After I met with this patient I thought a lot about this quote. It’s easy to let life get in the way and

be too busy to really live by this. It’s important as a healthcare professional that we take care of

ourselves so we can continue to meet the needs of our patients. I enjoy working in healthcare

because every once in a while I have that one experience that reminds of the reason why I went

into this field in the first place…. to help other people.

Natashia Peschel

Respiratory Care Practitioner

Divine Savior Healthcare

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I love my job as an Emergency Department Technician ~ from greeting patients & family at the ED entrance to holding someone’s hand while they have an uncomfortable procedure ~ I love my job! I have the privilege of caring for people at a critical time in their lives. I have the honor of caring for a variety people from different walks of life. Where else can you care for a feverish infant as well as bandage a centenarian’s skin tear?! The patients & their families enrich my life so much. I get to share a laugh or a concern with so many people. The main reason I chose to work in healthcare is that I’ve been on the receiving end of “medical treatment” that was filled with indifference and I was told “that’s just the way it is.” I believe that one of the best ways to make a difference is to become a part of the solution so I decided that I would become the caregiver that I didn’t have. I decided that I would give the kind of care that I feel all people deserve ~ care not treatment. I wholeheartedly embrace Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare’s philosophy of “living out the healing ministry of Jesus by providing exceptional and compassionate health care service…” We don’t “medically treat” patients; we give each patient “health CARE.” This requires a personal investment that has immeasurable returns! From my observation and experience, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare “walks the talk.” They don’t only have lovely words on posters to make you feel good. The staff that I’ve observed and those that I’m blessed to work with strive to live out those lovely words ~ from the “top” on down! Rhonda Radandt Emergency Department Tech II Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Franklin

Nursing

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Endless Possibilities!

I started my career in the healthcare field in 1973 as a candy striper. After high-school, I became a flight medic in the Army, then a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and ultimately a Registered Nurse (RN). In 39 years of working in the healthcare field I have done and learned more than I ever imagined. I have experienced many of the endless possibilities! As a candy striper I learned firsthand at a young age what it was like to help people in need. A spark was ignited that grew into a roaring fire, which prompted me to get my nursing license. That was the beginning of a fascinating career.

As a flight medic, I responded to many different emergency situations. I experienced the exhilaration of flying in helicopters transporting the sick and injured to hospitals.

As an LPN and RN the possibilities truly became endless. I worked in a cardiac step-down unit where I gained the skill of reading heart monitors and recognizing the early signs of heart problems before they become lethal. Additionally, I was a float nurse where I was introduced to numerous specialties including gastroenterology, surgery, neurology, orthopedics, and nephrology. Following that, I started a full-time career as an agency nurse. This presented me with new challenges every day as I worked in different hospitals in various specialties every week. I traveled the United States doing three-month assignments in hospitals and clinics, exploring new surroundings and sights on my days off.

Looking back I have no regrets. I remember joyful moments shared with my patients and their families. I remember advocating for my patients and seeing the looks of appreciation and words of gratitude. I continue to learn and grow both as a nurse and as a person every day.

Kimberly K. Amason Registered Nurse Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints

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A career in nursing can take you in many different directions; my path has been in rural hospital nursing for the last 15 years. What lead me to nursing and intrigued me was the science about how the body works. I have always been caring and concerned for other people’s well-being, and what better way to put the two together than to become a nurse. Through my years of nursing I have learned that it comes with a lot of emotion, happy, sad, stressful, and even some humor. Being able to find how to connect with patients and their families is very rewarding, and being able to teach them what is happening to them during their time of either illness or healing. Using teamwork with other departments, i.e., laboratory, radiology, dietary, social services, and pharmacy are all key components to help with their process of healing. At times it can be a balancing act; it can be very demanding and feeling that you need to be in several places at once, and learning how to prioritize. Each patient has different needs and demands. Many people have thanked me for their care. One that has stuck with me was a young woman, diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, I cared for in ICU for several days talking with her about that was going on with her body and explaining things to her family so they could understand also. Coordinating her care with physicians, and diabetes educators, I felt she had a good handle about what was going on when she left the hospital. She came to visit me after one of her clinic appointments and thanked me again, gave me a big hug for the care we gave her, we were both teary-eyed. I felt I accomplished so much by helping her during this difficult time in her life. I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in healthcare to pursue it because there are so many different opportunities and rewards. Amy Clark Registered Nurse St. Croix Regional Medical Center

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I am not always greeted with a smile. I do not always hear a thank you at the end of an interaction. I do not always witness a good outcome. Many days I go home feeling frustrated. So why do I keep coming back day after day, week after week, year after year? I’ll tell you why. Because sometimes I am greeted with a smile and it melts my heart. Sometimes I hear a thank you at the end of an interaction which reaffirms why I am here. Sometimes I witness a great outcome that I never thought was possible. And, each day I go home feeling fulfilled because I helped someone who needed it. This is why I keep coming back…and this is why I am proud to say that I am a Registered Nurse working for the Veterans Administration. Marcy M. Engebretson, MSN-Ed Registered Nurse VA Medical Center

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I don’t remember the defining moment when I decided to pursue a nursing career. It likely came with my decision not to be a teacher, secretary or housewife. My dream was to care for patients in a hospital setting until retirement. The best thing about nursing is that it is never boring. The field has opened up a vast variety of jobs from teaching to management. In this rapidly expanding field it can become difficult to pick where you want to be. Through learning and nursing opportunities I achieved a master’s degree in Health Service Administration. Career advancement led me to management, where I spent over half my career. During summer of 2010, personal changes made me take a serious look at my professional and personal life. It was time for a change. I transitioned from management to a staff nurse position in our triage department. Although excited about the change, I was not prepared for the absolute satisfaction I would gain. The pace was fast and varied; it allowed me a degree of autonomy and challenged me to use my nursing experience. But the greatest satisfaction came from my patients. To have a patient thank me for taking care of them proved to be the best reward. As I thought about this, it made perfect sense. After all, what is nursing about if not about the patient? Caring for patients is the reason I went into nursing. What seems routine and simple to us is so important to the patient. My former positions couldn’t hold a candle to direct patient care. Whether the care is simple or complex; whether it’s provided in a home, clinic or emergency setting, the focus is on the patient. This is truly where I want to be for the remainder of my nursing career. Mary Farning Registered Nurse Memorial Health Center

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Athletes play sports for their love of the game. Artists draw and paint for their love of art. I became a nurse because of my love for people and a passion for making a difference in another’s life. I have learned two valuable lessons from patients I have cared for. One we all know well: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” How true! We may not always know the full story of a patient’s life, but we are meant to have the strength to be there for them no matter what. Secondly, I am amazed by how trusting patients can be. For them to open up and lean on me, a stranger, during a time of crisis in their life, is incredible. To have earned this trust is precious to me. My patients will never know that they have helped shape and mold the nurse I have become. Their strength, gratitude and wisdom taught me much more than any book in college could have. I feel blessed to have been able to touch a person’s life, even for one day, one hour or one minute while passing in the hallway. When asked why nurses have chosen their career, I mostly hear one simple response, “to help others.” Yes, that’s included in my answer as well, but being a nurse has uncovered a deeper meaning – being able to help when people need it most. When a person is in their worst situation, when they are unable to repay me with anything except a “thank you,” when they may be possibly having their worst day ever, I want to be there. I want to be the rock in the storm, someone to cheer them along their road to recovery and give them the hope to believe that anything is possible, because they have taught me the same. Holly Horkman Registered Nurse Bellin Hospital

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Have you ever sat down with an older person? It’s like a book of the past waiting to be explored. I have been a C.N.A. for almost seventeen years. And I have learned a lot of true love and the true meaning of marriage and the true family values. What I have learned is what I want my girl’s to pass on to their family one day. I care for all the people as if they are my family. I have given hugs, kisses and a shoulder to cry on when they are having a bad day. They all have feelings. I have also given permission to go to heaven and that I will take care of their children. I have taught a few how to speak again after a stroke. I remember telling one “I Love you” everyday and one day he said it back. When his wife had passed away a year later I sent to see him and he said “I Love you” it made me feel so good inside knowing he remembered me. I encourage pictures with our loved ones everyday because you never know how long you have with them. Life is a gift don’t ever waste a minute to learn about your family history. Parents and grandparents hold the key. What got me into healthcare is my grandparents ran a retirement home which I thought was nice of them to open their home to people they didn’t know to live with them until they went to heaven. I never got the chance to meet my grandparents but I have heard stories about them. I think they would be proud of me for giving my heart to everyone I care for. Bobbie Jo John Certified Nursing Assistant Mile Bluff Medical Center

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My decision to become a caregiver was when I was quite young even though I wasn’t aware of it. I began my career working in a dietary department at a small hospital while in high school. I

had the opportunity to assist patients while working “behind the scenes”. As I went through college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a career. With so many opportunities available to further my education, the choices seemed endless. My realization of becoming a caregiver was actually during a dark time for our family. My brother-in-law was involved in a traumatic accident

while working on shipping barge. While he was fighting for his life in an intensive care unit, I was able to observe the nurses and support staff care for him in such a manner that would leave a lasting impression on me and propel me into the world of health care. From then on, with the

constant support of my husband and family, I was able to obtain my nursing degree. Nursing is a wonderful profession. What other career offers the ability to touch the lives of so many people and at the same time have so much versatility? As a nurse, I have had the opportunity to watch lives begin and hold the hand of a life that ended. We are teachers that calm fears in the middle of a storm when patients learn devastating news. Nurses are advocates and pioneers for righteousness of human kind. Each and every day there is something new to learn and challenges to build upon. One can never know or predict what the experiences of a caregiver will be. Sometimes it’s a simple smile or touch that can mean the world to a person that is having a difficult time. Amy Laridaen RN Care Coordinator Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh

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What Motivates Me? I always wanted to be a nurse. I went to nursing school right after high school and decided after 5 months that nursing was not what I wanted. What changed my mind was the birth of our son. What a joy pregnancy, labor and birth were! I knew, then, that I wanted to work with other women at this turning point in their lives. Another turning point in my life was when our son died almost 19 years later. It was then that I saw another side of life and eventually reached out to others who were dealing with loss or who were at the end of their lives. What motivates me about working in the health care field? Nursing, as I have found, is a job using a wide range of skills and providing a wide range of benefits also. Today my nursing jobs include working in our hospital Birthing Center. I also work at the Senior Foot Clinic. In that job I cut nails and file calluses, give foot massages and teach about foot care. My third job is as a parish nurse in my church. I primarily work with seniors, but have also done some work with the children and health programs for all in the community. I visit a variety of people including those who may be in Hospice. What other job could a person have that combines technical skills, nursing judgment, decision making and interpersonal skills. What other career can reach out across the whole life span from a baby’s first breath to someone on Hospice who takes their last breath. What other career reaches out to treat the whole person, body, mind and spirit? What motivates me in the health field is working with the continuum of life, the miracles that I witness every day, and being able to, somehow, make a little difference. Carol Moellenberndt, BSN Registered Nurse – Obstetrics Ministry Door County Medical Center

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A nursing career was my dream since childhood. I earned my nursing degree in nursing 41 years ago. Since that day I have enjoyed the challenges and the rewards of the profession in a variety of jobs. I have worked as a surgical nurse, on the medical and surgical unit, Pediatric and obstetrics clinic, Labor and delivery, newborn nursery, emergency room, rural hospital and employee health and wellness. I have enjoyed many rewards. The smiles and appreciative words from patients and family members are worth their weight in gold. I have been told by those I have cared for; I made a difference in their recovery. I enjoy teaching; whether it is patients I care for or loved ones, on how to improve their health. Working in nursing in the rural hospital setting has been the most rewarding. I have had the opportunity to really get to know the patients I cared for and their families and loved ones. You meet these patients over and over with repeated hospitalizations. I have gotten to know what “matters” to them. I have laughed with them, cried with them, celebrated their “joys” and successes and help them put their life back together when things took a different turn. My goal during my nursing career has been to “make a difference”. I strive to provide comfort, compassion and support to everyone I meet. I try to see what others need and provide the help they need, listen to them console them and be a resource to find answers. Every day is different in nursing. There are jobs and challenges, tears and laughter, hard work and dedication. But the rewards of knowing I have made a difference are absolutely worth the effort. I wouldn’t change a thing; it has all been worth the hard work and has been a “labor of love”. Mary Ann Nero RN, Employee Health Nurse Community Health Network

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I love old people, maybe because I am one. As of January 9, 2012 I have worked for 30 years as a C.N.A in the Continuing Care Center. I am now the oldest staff member there. I have worked full-time on day and/or afternoon shifts. I have seen many changes in everything except the basic cares of our residents.

I have learned perseverance and patience. I have worked with many behaviors, health issues and personalities of all ages. I have found that a sense of humor with co-workers and residents helps set the mood. I have been challenged by many new policies and new ways of doing old tasks. I have moved into the world of technology through annual mandatory topics and now charting on the computer.

I have enjoyed training in new students who are taking the C.N.A. class in our facility. I have welcomed new staff and encouraged them as they adjust.

Through our monthly PEAK topics and staff meetings, my education is ongoing. Fortunately, as I age the equipment improves, from the early days of crank-up Hoyer lifts to E-Z lifts and stands with push buttons. We have better methods of transfers and we practice a “low lift” policy, saving on our backs.

Five years ago I wrote my memoirs in album form with stories, poems I wrote, and pictures with much humor. I have shared it with many co-workers and residents.

Little did I know 30 years ago, I was training to care for my aging husband at home. Much of what I have learned has come to mind as I deal with his diabetes, heart, and breathing problems.

I plan to retire in two and a half years. Until then I will “hoe my row to the end.”

Molly (Marlene) Olson Certified Nursing Assistant Burnett Medical Center

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Why I Became a Nurse Growing up I always wanted to be a nurse. It was not until my junior year in nursing school, when my brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I realized my passion for Oncology Nursing. I never looked back or had second thoughts during my twenty five years of nursing. I was blessed when I was hired at Holy Family Memorial in the Oncology department right after I graduated from school. When people ask where I work and I tell them with Oncology patients they apologize and say “oh, that must be so hard”. I always smile and say “I am very lucky and humbled to work with Oncology patients. I have the best job in the world”. Being a nurse at Holy Family Memorial and working in the Cancer Care Center has facilitated the person I am today. My patients and their families are so compassionate and generous. I have learned so many life lessons from them. Many of my patients have told me to “stop, don’t be in a hurry, and look around. Enjoy the rain and the snow, stop and actually look at the creation of snowflakes.” I have. Patients thank me for helping them in their journey with cancer. One young patient told me he was grateful he was diagnosed with cancer because the diagnosis saved his life, his marriage, and his chance to be a father to his children. “I was going down the wrong road; I was going to lose my family and kids because I was living life in the fast lane. The cancer made me reevaluate my life and find out what really is important.” Being an Oncology nurse has given me a chance to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Sue Schmeichel Registered Nurse Holy Family Memorial

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I never wanted to be a nurse. I wanted to be a teacher or a social worker. I have worked as a nurse for 4 decades now but it took 4 hours of volunteering to make me realize I had chosen the right profession. Two years ago, I responded to a notice in our church bulletin asking for volunteer RN’s to help staff a free clinic on the north side of Milwaukee. After hearing about the mission and vision of Wheaton for so many years and how we should “live” our values as employees, I thought this might be a good way to put my words into action. In May of 2009, the free clinic was opened for “business”. I had no idea what to expect as patients began to spread the word that free healthcare was available. What has followed for the past 2 years are some of the most rewarding experiences of my life as a nurse. Diabetics return smiling because for the first time in their lives, their blood sugars are under control. Patients with hypertension are so grateful because they finally feel better. A father brought his children in for well-baby checks and returned the next month and asked if they could be baptized. I don’t think they realize that I am getting way more out of this experience than I have ever put into it. I’m not a teacher, but I’m teaching every day because I get to instruct patients on many different health care “subjects” and mentor students and new nurses as they start their careers. I’m not a Social Worker but every day I counsel and advise as well as console and comfort. I chose nursing, but I got so much more. Crystal Sturm Registered Nurse Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Elmbrook Memorial Campus

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Age Can Be an Asset I began my journey in healthcare as a Pharmacy Technician when I was 19 years old. For fifteen years I loved my job but began to yearn for something more. I would discover that timing is everything. Wanting to further my education, I attended school seeking a pharmacy degree. Student demands and working to maintain family health insurance left me exhausted and unable to spend time with my children. Prioritizing my family first, and with no regrets, I stayed home to raise my family. Ten years later as I sat in church I overheard a woman crying in the restroom. I hesitated to get involved, but compelled to check on her well being. I found a woman unable to accept her father’s terminal cancer diagnosis. I offered comfort to her, but wished I had skills to help her deal with her emotional pain. I returned to my seat wishing that I had become a nurse. My age, financial expenses with children in college coupled with the cost of commuting made me believe that school at 45 years of age was unattainable. Then I began hearing about the fall nursing program offered in Beaver Dam. My supervisor reminded me of the hospital tuition assistance program. I met with a school counselor who encouraged me to transfer my previous credits. All I needed was courage to sit next to students that were half my age. The first day of school I worried that I would not find people who shared my dream. I quickly found a band of sister nursing students. We were all different ages, but we shared the same goal. Together we studied, cheered each other on, and cried together when my parents passed away. In 2011 I graduated with my nursing degree and obtained my RN licensure. I began to work for the Beaver Dam Hospital Foot Clinic. Each day I am privileged to work with the finest people who provide laughter and excellence in foot care. Several people have told me that I as made for this job. I feel that I have been called to serve. The gratitude my clients display is very rewarding. In nursing I did not allow my age to be a barrier, but an asset that helps me relate to my clients. Patricia Van Buren RN, Foot Clinic Nurse Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc.

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This will be my third year of being involved in healthcare. Each year I had a different position, nursing home aide, hospital aide and now a new registered nurse. Healthcare is one of those fields that keep on giving. Just being able to make a patient smile or laugh I believe helps their healing process. My floor works together as not only a team, but it feels like a family setting. We care about our patients and do anything we can to make sure they have the best care and experience possible during their stay. To the patient a hospital can be very scary and intimidating. We are there to comfort, care, listen, and provide anything we can to make them feel better. Healthcare was not my first choice for a career until one of my cousins had gotten into a bad motorcycle accident and spent weeks to months in the hospital. The staff that took care of him not only was amazing and kind, they took care of us, his family. They helped us in a time of need, a time when we didn’t think things were going to get better. I realized then, that is what I want to do, give people faith, hope and support those in need, and not only the patient, but the family too. I always had a caring mentality and always wanted to help people, but when I was actually put in the setting of a hospital and saw how the nurses and staff members were so caring and had a passion for it, it made me believe that this was the path for me. Now working in healthcare has made me believe it was the right path and it feels like my second home. There are little events each day that make me happy since I joined this field. One event that has stuck with me, and it still makes me smile everyday and say to myself this is why I am in this field, is when a patient I was taking care got some bad news and the entire day he just was not the same, very reserved and quiet. The nurse and I, this was back when I was an aide, came up with an idea. The nurse told me that the patient liked golf and we both wished we could have taken him golfing right then and there. That’s when the nurse thought of a great idea, we could make a mini golf course in the PT room. We gathered cups and PT happened to have some golf balls and clubs. We then set up a mini golf course in the PT room and made a sign for the patient stating it was their own personal mini golf course. I took the patient for a walk that night and the nurse told me to lead him to that room. I and another aide helped him walk to the PT room and we had music playing and the patient’s sign hung up. As soon as we walked into the PT room the patient knew something was going on. The patient walked into the room and a huge smile came upon his face. He grabbed the clubs and started to play. The patient was so happy and grateful. The patient ended up staying in the room for a little bit and was getting hole-in-ones like crazy. That is when I knew I was in the right field. No one can explain the feeling that comes over you when you are able to see a change in your patient’s status or just their mood by showing you care. Being able to brighten your patient’s day is one of the best rewards from this field. Laura Vande Boom Registered Nurse Aurora Medical Center Grafton

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I have had many privileged moments in my career. The same ones that many who have worked in nursing could share. But, for people who work in other fields, these moments will never present themselves. I have been privileged to watch a young man see his first child born. I was able to watch his expressions as a new life entered the world. His eyes tearing up with emotion. I have been privileged to hold the hand of an old man as he died. To see the life leaves his eyes, and feel the emotion tearing up in my own eyes. I have been privileged to be allowed, even invited into some of the most personal and so often painful parts of someone’s life. Strangers have put their lives and bodies in my hands. They put their trust in me, the nurse. With eager eyes, they listen to every word I utter, trying to catch some tidbit of information that may be valuable. I try to give the patient the opportunity to share a bit about themselves, if they wish. To feel like the center of the world for even just a short time. This allows me to see them, not as just “a patient” or “a procedure”, but as a mom, brother or grandma. I can imagine them with family, at their job, participating in a favorite hobby, getting back to the things they love. Being a nurse in a small community offers even more rewards. It makes you feel so satisfied, knowing you were able to help a neighbor, acquaintance or a familiar face from the grocery store. It’s not a job, its part of me. All of these experiences, both good and not so good, have played a part in the person that I am today. Susan Wilhelm Registered Nurse – Perioperative Services Memorial Medical Center

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I was thrilled the day I became an operating room nurse! I only regretted my new job would provide minimal patient contact, but one day, one patient, one event proved how extremely compassionate my colleagues are and affirmed my new career choice. My beeper went off one Saturday. The surgical team was being called in for an emergency wound debridement verses bilateral leg amputation, the actual procedure to be determined by the surgeon. As I got ready, I began to wonder how a patient would require either debridement or amputation of both legs, so I called the hospital for report. A middle aged diabetic lady had stopped taking her insulin months ago, and now had wounds covering her legs and feet, some of which were infested with maggots. As I drove to the hospital, I grew anxious at the thought of seeing those wounds, and having to wash them before the surgery. When the surgical team arrived, I informed them of the patient’s condition. My anxiety lessened as I focused on the needs of the patient, not myself. When the operating room was ready I brought our patient to the holding area. She was dirty, mentally slow, and alone. Then something so touching happened. The entire team gathered around her bed in a show of support as the surgeon explained he would need to amputate both legs. Each person demonstrated genuine care and compassion for this lady, as she bravely consented to the surgery. During the operation, the team spoke of her courageous spirit as she faced such a tragic loss of limb, and of her helplessness. Someone even washed her hair after the surgery was over. My coworkers amazed me that day with their compassion. They created something beautiful amidst tragedy. I am honored to work with them. Nicole Winters RN IV Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – St. Francis, Inc.

Support Service

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Opportunity to Make a Difference

As I spoke to the parents of an 8 year old boy, I recognized their pain, worries, and non-negotiable obligations in caring for their little son with type 1 diabetes. With tears in their eyes, they explained to me this is the first time they had left their little one with caretakers other than themselves since he was diagnosed 4 years earlier. It was also the first time they felt he was safe overnight entrusted in someone’s care. As a Certified Diabetes Educator, this opportunity to work at the American Diabetes Association diabetes camp in Rosholt, WI has given me amazing experiences that have enhanced my skills as an educator at Southwest Health Center.

Whether I am working with a child, a teenager, or an adult, my attitude and approach makes all the difference in the outcome of this person’s future. Recognizing who they are as a person and coaching for success empowers them to set goals to make positive lifestyle changes. Often this relationship continues for many years as their needs change, as well as the advances and technology in diabetes management.

Recently I have had the opportunity to work with a young woman who was struggling with the daily demands of her diabetes self-care. After two years of less than optimal progress, she finally agreed to diabetes education. As I worked with her closely for two months, her diabetes management skills improved significantly. As a result, she felt better than she had in years and, therefore, was eager to keep working toward positive change.

This is what motivates me in my profession—the opportunity to make a difference, both physically and emotionally in my patients’ lives. I am a teacher, a coach, and a nurse. I am a diabetes educator.

Sandy Andrews Diabetes Educator Southwest Health Center

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Working at LE Phillips Libertas has definitely changed the way I look at life. Every day I am reminded of how precious life is. How quickly it can be taken from us and how much our choices impact our futures. My curiosity with substance abuse counseling stemmed from my own personal experience with addiction. My family and I experienced the effects of addiction as a loved one battled the incurable disease. My objective was to “fix” the problem. I wanted to make sure my other loved ones would NEVER make the same choices as that family member had. I yearned for any and all information possible. ‘The costs of untreated addiction have been reported to be as high as $484 billion a year. Alcohol abuse alone is estimated to cost American society $185 billion a year, cancer costs society $171.6 billion a year. Addiction is taking a financial toll that is far greater than that of cancer.’ – NIDDA The above statement is exactly why I feel my job is so important. My job as an AODA Counselor at LE Phillips Libertas provides me with great gratification and humility. Knowing that not every client I work with will remain sober, I hope that I can make a difference with at least one. One client in particular provided me with an amazing feeling of success. She was a chronic addict whom hadn’t been sober in years. As she begged for help, while experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations, it was understandable that she had great hesitation of whether “this would even work”. She had attempted sobriety many times with minimal success. Following detox, the client was placed in a sober living house where she was able to blossom into a thriving, honest member of society. It has since been two years, she remains sober and engaged in the recovery community. The pride I have in regards to her accomplishments and commitment to recovery and life is exactly why I do what I do. I made a difference with that “one”.

Tiffany Berg Counselor St. Joseph’s Hospital

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I have worked in the health care industry since I was 18 years old, many years ago. I can’t imagine working in any other industry. I have been fortunate to work as a caregiver, administrative support and now as a data analyst. I have learned that hospitals are like cities – many different types of people and skill sets are needed to provide an environment that promotes healing. My first job was working in respiratory therapy at an inner-city Milwaukee hospital that closed its doors long ago. Its mission was to care for the poorest of the poor. There I learned our choices can make or break our health. I became aware I had been blessed with opportunities and resources others did not have. Over the years I have learned patients are far more aware of how they are treated than we could ever imagine. I have learned one person can make a difference for better or worse in a patient’s life. Every patient deserves respect and compassion. Today, I feel blessed to work as a planning analyst. I support leaders by mining and presenting data to tell the story of our successes and failures. I sleuth to identify opportunities for improvement and research best practices. I “play” with data in order to find insights to help leaders make solid decisions. I work behind the scenes to “connect the dots” with our internal data and communicate that to data consumers. I only wish I had more time in my day. We all have different talents and abilities we bring to healthcare. I believe I have been called to do the work I do. Even though I do not provide direct patient care, I know I have an impact on patients through the work I do. How fortunate I am. Cindy Bunker Planning Analyst St. Vincent Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center & St. Nicholas Hospital

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A Patient’s Vision

INSPIRE

I SEE A PLACE A PLACE OF PEACE

A GLIMMER OF HOPE THAT WILL NOT CEASE

WHEN ONE FEELS LOST AND CANNOT STAND THEY WILL BE THERE

WITH A HELPING HAND

GUIDE

TO LET YOU KNOW TO HELP YOU GROW TO SHOW THE WAY

AMID EACH DAY A LOOK OF CONCERN

A GENTLE SMILE A SOOTHING VOICE FOR JUST A WHILE

TRANSFORM

A GLIMPSE OF THE DIVINE

WITHIN A TIME THEIR PROMISE TO YOU

THEY SET TO DO THIS IS THE FACE

OF KINDNESS AND CARE AND I WILL KNOW

TO ALWAYS TURN THERE

Pam Chadwick Hospitality Associate UW Health Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center

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Pride isn’t something you are born with, earned or given. Pride is built on a foundation of teaching, learning, guidance, traditions, values, overcoming failures, and recognizing one’s accomplishments. Working at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics has molded and developed a sense of pride in me. I began working in the Clinical Cancer Center in 1975 as a technical typist. Since then I worked in the Department of Medicine, Patient Accounts, Dialysis, and am currently in Clinics Administration at University Station. I was fortunate to have supervisors encourage me even when I made mistakes, expand my knowledge, recognize my accomplishments, and make me feel part of a team. Being a part of a team is conveyed through employee forums, emails, and staff meetings. Employee Forums give employees an awareness of how their job impacts UWHC as a whole, its patients, and co-workers. Employee Orientation emphasizes job expectations as well as service excellence to patients, families, and co-workers. Veteran employees can expand their skills through the UWHC Academy. All employees are encouraged to go the extra mile to help others. It has been a trying and uncertain year for many UWHC employees. There was a fear of change, loss of income, benefits, and jobs. Through it all, UWHC Administration was forthcoming with information, accessible, and genuinely interested in employees’ concerns. Updating FAQs on U-Connect gave me a feeling of Administrations’ commitment to help me through the transition. UWHC is a wonderful place to work. The ability to work part-time, receive insurance benefits, educational opportunities, day care, and many wonderful programs offered to employees are great reasons to be proud. What I am most proud of is being part of a team with dedicated employees working together to accomplish the goals of the UWHC Mission, Vision and Values. Diana Hanson Senior Administrative Secretary UW Hospitals and Clinics

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With little money and unclear direction, I joined the team of Aurora Medical Center of Washington County in 1998 as a transcription assistant. Although I was not a direct patient caregiver, it was clear, that I was a partner in providing exceptional patient care! Having a handicap daughter, I was motivated to make a difference. Having been in and out many clinics, hospitals, and having endless appointments in the healthcare setting, I understood how each interaction can make a difference, from friendly smile, to a soft touch, to comforting words. It became clear to me that health care was the right direction! With drive and determination, I worked to develop my career. From a transcription assistant to a medical staff coordinator, I take on challenges and hold myself accountable to providing results, doing my part to deliver quality health care. Understanding my purpose extends outside the walls of my department. My commitment spills into the community. I view each interaction as an opportunity, from a smile to someone walking by; to helping someone load their groceries at the supermarket. I sincerely believe every encounter creates a new relationship that builds trust and hope! As I recall the past 14 years at Aurora, I feel part of a larger team that is committed to patients, the community, and me! Over the years I have seen the bar raised in how health care is delivered, from the cost of the services, to the personalized experiences we provide. Being part of health care system that continues to move forward is very gratifying. I hope my story may inspire others to pursue a career in the health care, whether direct or indirect patient care; I cannot imagine another career more rewarding! Brenda Jochem Administrative Assistant Senior Aurora Medical Center of Washington County

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Try It You Will Like It! Why did I go into the health care field? It’s a field of work that is diverse and has so much to offer. It can be rewarding yet frustrating at the same time. My story spans several decades, and although my job title has changed, my love of our patients has not. I started my career in the health care field in 1975, when I was a 19-year-old CNA. I learned to listen to my patients with my ears and eyes as well as my heart, mind, and soul. I put myself in their place and asked how I would like to be treated if I were the patient. I have assisted people in getting well enough to return to their homes, but have also worked at keeping some people as comfortable as possible at the end of life. I have seen the times change tremendously in health care over the years, but overall the message remains the same: our patients are our main reason for being here. They rely on us to be at our best at all times no matter what our health care job is. This is a story of a patient that I will always remember. It was summer 1984. He was a young man who had only been married a month and was on his honeymoon at a local lake when he dove in, broke his neck, and suffered what was thought to be below-the-waist paralysis. He was brought to the neurology unit at the hospital where I worked. With so much courage, this young man took his entire hospital course in stride and got stronger to the point of his doctors transferring him to a rehab facility closer to his home to learn how to deal with his new life in a wheelchair. The day prior to him leaving our hospital for the rehab unit, his nurse for the day had asked me to come in and assist them. Upon going in, he and his nurse had big grins on their faces. When I asked what was so funny, she pulled one of his legs away from the other in the bed. With slow determined movement, this young man moved the leg back towards the other one! Hooray! Soon, everyone working on the unit knew the great news that "our favorite young man" was moving again. The next day we sent him off to the rehab hospital in anticipation of what would happen next. Fast forward to Christmas Eve Day 1984 on that same neurology floor. Several of us heard one of the nurses shout, "Oh my God!" As we all looked to see what brought her to react this way, we saw it. There at the end of the hallway was our young man and his wife walking slowly and surely toward us, with a walker to support him as he walked. Our tears were those of joy, and his walking to us a giant reward that cannot be measured. My reasons for going into health care are shown in thought, word, deed, and the very love of the human spirit that drives me. I hope it drives you into making the same decisions. As the title of this story says, "Try it. You will like it." I did and I do. Sue Kratz Medical Transcriptionist Mercy Health System Corporation

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When most people think of hospitals, they think of doctors, nurses, medicine and a place for care. When I think of a hospital, I think of my place of work: people dedicated to their jobs, their patients and just plain helping people. That’s what makes my working environment so great. I first got into the healthcare field at the age of 16 working as a dietary aide in the kitchen. It was just a part time job and I never would have imagined myself still in this field. When I first started, there was a nursing home attached to the hospital and being able to interact with the nursing home residents was one of the best parts of my job. I was able to serve them meals and by interacting with them, I could tell I made their day just a little bit brighter. That’s what changed my mind about this just being a part time job — I wanted to make this my career. Nine years later, I am now the grill cook at the Acorn Grill in Osceola Medical Center. Being a grill cook allows me to be creative and to show off my passion for food. Every day I get to interact with the patients, their families and the hospital staff. Just seeing the smiles and hearing the feedback I get after they’ve enjoyed their meals makes me motivated to strive to be better each and every day. The great staff I work with has inspired and influenced me to become the cook I am today. Cole Pederson Nutrition Services Cook – Acorn Grill Osceola Medical Center

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Taking Pride in My Work at TMH Hello, my name is Therese Schuh. I have been working at Tomah Memorial Hospital for 40+ years (actually soon to be 43 years)! I graduated from Winona Medical Secretarial School in Winona, Minnesota, a private all girl school (except for one male teacher!) back in 1969. Our studies were pretty intense so it was sink or swim! The only electric typewriters in the school were in the office! Being the last to take a chair in the typing classroom I wound up with a typewriter with no letters on the keys, for which they offered up a “handicap” when it came to accuracy/line count. I absolutely loved learning there at Winona Medical School. They had 99% placement of their students and really worked hard with students to find them jobs if they needed assistance. After graduating from Winona I took a civil service test in Madison and was employed at the UW-Madison Hospital Radiology Department/Radioisotope Lab. My boyfriend was drafted for the Viet Nam War so I decided to return to Tomah to be near family and friends (after only 9 months). In that particular setting I was not using my medical secretarial skills and chose not to transfer to another department. After returning to the Tomah area I accepted a position in the Medical Records Department, now known as the Health Information Services Dept. Needles to say I enjoyed what I was doing and felt very comfortable at Tomah Memorial. There was a sense of “family”. We shared good news, bad news, changes and more changes! I take much PRIDE in my job and always try to do my best as a medical transcriptionist/medical language specialist, as well as certifying birth records. Even though our work is mostly “behind the scenes” it is an important job and is not to be taken lightly. After all, our patients have entrusted us to keep accurate medical records! Therese Schuh Transcriptionist Tomah Memorial Hospital

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Saving Lives is Messy Business Sometimes in my job as an Environmental Services Tech, a physician or staff member will apologize for leaving a mess in the area where I’m cleaning. I assure them that they shouldn’t feel bad; saving lives is messy business. It isn’t always a perfectly ordered process and sometimes things have to happen fast. What’s important isn’t to hit the waste basket, but to focus on the needs of the patient. As I go about my duties, I am amazed at the clinical and nursing staff members who go beyond basic physical care of the patient. They get to know the patient and their family and share that information with each other to develop the best care plan for the patient. The staff consistently demonstrates care beyond the patient’s physical needs. I look at the physicians who treat the patients. They come from everywhere in the world, but interact together with the single goal of healing the patient. I watch support area staff working hard with positive attitudes. They take time from their duties to share encouraging words with patients, visitors and their colleagues. All of this activity, communication, paperwork, movement of people, supplies and equipment is certainly messy. However it all comes down to a single, clear focus: caring for patients. A patient asked me once if I liked cleaning at the hospital or would I rather clean for a “rich” man. We joked about how it would depend on how good looking the “rich” man was. At the end of the conversation, I told her that I am proud to work in health care and that I feel rich as a result of the experiences, relationships and opportunities I have to serve others, regardless of how messy it gets. Christine Tandberg Environmental Services Sacred Heart Hospital

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Hello, my name is Sue Ziebell, and I have worked in Environmental Services at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for nearly five years. It’s my job to keep the oncology and surgical areas clean. It’s more than cleaning rooms. At times, I am able to speak with patients, who are fighting for their lives daily – some make it, others don’t. I try to make a difference in their lives. No matter how tough my morning may have been, I do my best to come to work with a smile on my face. It brightens my work area and helps in the healing of others. Did you know that it takes 37 muscles in your face to frown and 22 muscles to smile? On occasions, I have had the opportunity to form relationships with patients and their families. You know how I love to talk (smile), but with patients, I listen – you learn so much about whom they are and where they have been. One time I, along with the Wausau Elk’s Lodge, helped a family have a joyous Christmas. The children had gifts and fixings for the table. The gentleman passed away a few days before Christmas. It was a blessing to be able to help. Just think of how the family felt to have those last special moments. I never would have had the experience if I wasn’t the “cleaning lady” at Aspirus. My sister was so proud of my actions that she cried when she heard of it. I really enjoy my job and love working with fellow housekeepers, nurses, CNAs and other employees of Aspirus. I honestly feel like this is home. Why shouldn’t it? I had my children here. Sue Ziebell EVS Aide Aspirus Wausau Hospital

P.O. Box 259038, Madison, WI 53725-9038608-274-1820 Fax: 608-274-8554

www.wha.org