Advancing the Profession
Julie Lichtenberg, RN, MA
Manager, Service Excellence and Patient Advocacy

Julie Lichtenberg, R.N., MA is a registered nurse with over twenty years of leadership in Service Excellence, Patient Advocacy, Health Education and Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. As a Visionary Leader she displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; mobilizes peers and subordinates to fulfill the vision.

Her role allows her to share her expertise by in creating, coordinating, implementing and facilitating Service Excellence efforts and initiatives to continuously build knowledge and skills of entire hospital staff and leadership.

She manages all aspects of Service Excellence and Leadership Excellence. She assists administration in developing goals, objectives, and standards for service excellence and patient advocacy managing the priorities and goals to achieve successful service excellence results and presenting information at employee forums, management team meetings, staff meetings.

Julie assists in sensitizing health professionals to the need to humanize patients' hospital experiences through orientation and training programs. Provides assistance to leadership and associates in understanding reports associated with patient satisfaction and service excellence.

She has developed and facilitated programs on Multigenerational Workforce, Core Behaviors, Hospital Values, Interpersonal Communication Skills, Service Recovery, Leading Change, Dealing with Difficult People and Learning Styles for new employee orientation, physicians, physician office managers, preceptors and employees house wide.

Clinical Care
Arlene Fruel, R.N., BSN
Ambulatory & Community Health Network of Cook County

During the late 1970s, Arlene Fruel migrated to the United States not knowing what her future would be in this country. New to this society, which was quite different from what she was used to both culturally and socially, the experience was close to mind-boggling. Following the advice of her older sister, a nurse, who encouraged her to pursue the nursing profession, Fruel enrolled in Truman College in Chicago to take pre-nursing courses.

After attending Truman for a year, she began her actual nursing education at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital. In July 1983, Fruel received her Diploma in Nursing and passed the board examination. Fruel says this event was both a high and low in her life; high because the experience was deeply heart-felt since her education was completed due to her perseverance and hard work (she supported herself through this endeavor). It was a low point because her sister who had encouraged her to further her future career died of cancer.

Fruel started working at the Cook County Bureau of Health Services’ John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, which was then known as Cook County Hospital, in 1985 as a staff nurse, CNI, in the General Surgical Unit. After adjusting to the rigors of the nursing profession, in no time she started to like her job, feeling at the end of the day, that she had contributed something to the good of society by caring for the sick.

After four years, Fruel decided to transfer to the Cardiac & Medical Step-Down Unit, where she gained considerable experience in caring for cardiac patients and at the same time became active in Quality Assurance & Improvement (QA&I) for the unit.

Fruel went on to spend 13 years of her nursing career at Stroger Hospital in its Coronary Care Unit (CCU). During this time, despite balancing family duties and work, she was able to earn a BSN degree from Lewis University.

Constantly seeking new challenges, Fruel decided to apply for a CNII position in the Orthopedic Clinic at the Specialty Care Center, operated by another Bureau of Health Services unit, the Ambulatory & Community Health Network. She got the position and is currently a charge nurse in the clinic.

Bertina L. Alston, R.N., began her nursing career with a four month assignment in Phoenix, Arizona at Saint Joseph Barrow's neurological intensive care unit after which she returned to Chicago, anxiously awaiting the next assignment for which she had applied in Alaska. But as fate would have it, before she received the assignment in Alaska, she read in the newspaper that Cook County had purchased Provident Hospital on Chicago’s Southside with plans to reopen this historic facility as an operating unit of the Cook County Bureau of Health Services.

Bertina applied for a nursing position and became part of the first group of nurses to start working at the "new" Provident Hospital. It was truly an exciting time for her, helping to create some of the policies and assisting with the beginning operations of this community-based hospital.

This excitement was matched recently when Bertina had the unique opportunity in September 2005 to serve as a member of the Hurricane Relief Team following hurricanes Katrina and Rita that devastated Louisiana, Mississippi and other cities along the Gulf Coast. Bertina, along with 59 other nurses and doctors from Chicago and representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Rescue Relief Team were assigned to work in Tyler, Texas at a hospital that had been closed due to the hurricane. Bertina says it was like deja vue, once again she was a part of a hospital start-up, as she had been 13 years earlier. Their mission was to get the hospital up and running over a two week period. While at Tyler County Hospital, Bertina worked along with medical personnel from all around the country. The whole Team was determined to succeed in getting the hospital running and operating fully again. The days were long and the work was hectic, but accomplishing the goal was paramount in everyone's mind. The patients were grateful for their help and the hospital personnel were very thankful. The Teams’ mission was accomplished within the two week period.

The mother of two children, and the proud grandmother of five, Bertina is grateful for the opportunity to have participated with the FEMA Relief Team on such a historic mission to help people who were in need. She is also thankful to Provident Hospital of Cook County for allowing her to represent the facility as part of the medical personnel Team. She continues to enjoy working at Provident and although she is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Nursing, hopes to retire in a few years.

Jacqueline Martinez, R.N., CNII, is the charge nurse of the intermediate care unit at Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County. She is an outstanding nurse and possesses excellent critical thinking skills. She is and has always been an asset to the long-term care division. As the charge nurse, she monitors patient care activity in an effort to ensure the patients are cared for and treated with respect.

Jackie has had a life long commitment to the nursing profession. She began her nursing career after graduating from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, MN in 1969. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, but most of her nursing career has been dedicated to long-term care, which is her passion. She started working at Oak Forest Hospital in May of 1973.

Jackie has exceptional leadership skills. As a charge nurse in long-term care, one RN monitors four units. Jackie is a unique individual with good customer service skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to accept responsibility to complete a project with little oversight or direction. Her excellent skills and leadership make her a valuable asset. Her supervisor believes Jackie positive professional influence, guidance and support has led to the facility running smoothly with improved customer satisfaction in the long-term care area.

The month of May marks Jackie’s 33rd anniversary at Oak Forest Hospital. During her years of service she has served as an advocate for her patients even when it was not the easy thing to do. She ensures that the patient care provided is safe and effective for positive patient outcomes. This has made Jackie a valuable part of Oak Forest Hospital’s nursing team.

Paul Langlois, R.N., is a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Critical Care at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Paul has served in this position since 1999.

As a CNS, he shares responsibility for the education and orientation of critical care nurses, maintaining annual competencies and providing up to date information on the latest nursing studies.

Since coming to Stroger Hospital, Paul has been dedicated to critical care. He has worked with staff nurses and management in implementing continuous renal replacement therapy and use of the ventricular assist device in the intensive care units. Paul also provides continuing education classes for all staff as well as teaching the Critical Care class for all Cook County Bureau of Health Services facilities. In addition, he teaches nursing and medical students, residents and attending physicians on various health topics.

Paul has a doctorate in nursing and is certified by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Leadership
Sandra Jozaitis, R.N., BSHA, MSHA
Vice President, Operations/Chief Nursing Officer

Sandy Jozaitis is a registered nurse with nearly 30 years of experience in the field. She is a strong leader and that quality has enabled her to move quickly up the ranks of nursing in the last 15 years. As a leader, Jozaitis shines when she is working on strategic planning and implementation, data collection and analysis for quality assurance and development of, and adherence to, unit budgets. She is also skilled at staff development. Her ability to coach and mentor and evaluate nursing staff is unmatched. The candidate excels on setting goals and standardizing nursing performance. And her project management skills reflect true leadership ability. She has led numerous projects on behalf of the nursing division including customer service initiatives, JCAHO regulations and interdisciplinary team building.

Jozaitis completed nursing school in 1976. Her first nursing position was as a staff nurse in the open heart intensive care unit of a Chicago hospital. After several years, she moved into the managed care arena in 1986, working as a managed care coordinator and supervising the activities of 15 nursing personnel in third party insurance verification and pre-certification of hospitalization. Missing the activity of the hospital environment, she returned to staff nursing in the intensive care unit in 1982. In 1983, she was promoted to assistant nurse manager of the unit. In 1991, Jozaitis became the acting nurse practice coordinator for the hospital. And in 1992, another promotion moved her to the position of clinical nursing analyst. By 1993, she was named the staffing coordinator for the hospital. She then graduated with a bachelor of science in the health arts in 1994. That same year, she became director of nursing on the telemetry units -- a position she held until she was asked to take over for the departing vice president of patient care services in 2004. In 2000, Jozaitis obtained a masters of science in health administration. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, the Illinois Nurses Association and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

To say nursing is a complex field would be an extreme understatement. It is a field that requires knowledge, technical skill, personal strength, compassion and commitment. This combination can be found in the most remarkable individuals and it is found in the nursing staff at Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers.

"Our nurses are some of the friendliest, most competent professionals in the field," says Jane Sullivan, R.N., B.S.N., M.S., and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Little Company. "I believe the atmosphere we foster continues to attract those who are eager to learn, to serve and to nurse."

Professionalism, compassion, quality and responsibility drive the actions of each nurse on staff.

Little Company takes many steps to illustrate its commitment to the nursing profession by encouraging education and the advancement of the nursing profession in general.

Quality of patient care is of extreme importance to the nursing staff at Little Company. Each month, nursing representatives from each patient care area meet to discuss current nursing practices and identify improvement opportunities in patient care. "The Nursing Forum" has been in existence for 16 years and ensures that our high standards of patient care are maintained.

Acting on behalf of the patient is a primary responsibility of the nurses at Little Company. They know that they are accountable for patient advocacy in every situation.

Little Company’s nursing staff continuously exceeds Hospital goals regarding patient satisfaction and it is not unusual to find nurses who have been on staff for more than 20 years. This combination shows Little Company’s nurses are a team that strives for excellence not only in all areas of the job, from education to patient care to acting beyond the call of duty, but in creating an atmosphere of professionalism, compassion, quality and responsibility.

Leadership
Mary Ann Pengiel, R.N., BS
Nurse Manager

Mary Ann Pengiel, R.N., BS is a healer, a teacher, an advocate, and a manager who cares about improving the health and well-being of our patients, our staff, and our organization. She is the Perioperative Manager for three departments: Preadmission Testing, Same Day Surgery and Recovery Room. She is the kind of manager nurses go to her department to work with and she is the reason they stay. Her areas are integral to the perioperative area-- fast paced and intense-- where patients and families are experiencing a vulnerable period in their lives. Mary Ann was recently recognized at the Nursing Spectrum Excellence Awards 2006 Gala because she looks at her staff as an extension of herself. The quality care they give and how they interact with colleagues and families not only reflect on the kind of manager she is but also on the consideration and caring she emanates.

Her managerial accomplishments have been many, particularly in the areas of staffing, elevating competency standards, expanding educational opportunities, preceptor advancements and customer service.

She inspires her staff by working alongside them, whether problem solving, giving breaks, transporting patients, or staying late into the evening just to help out. She coordinates and collaborates with other departments to influence the best outcomes for all. Her managerial expertise and creative involvement with colleagues results in a significant improvement in morale, service, and efficiency in all her areas. We salute her during National Nurses Week, 2006.

Patient Advocacy
Ellen Ahern

Ellen Ahern, now a Patient Care Manager at Rainbow Hospice began her career in OB-GYN at Michael Reese Medical Center, where she learned that patients come first.

"When I was a student, I learned what is important to patients – listening to them, taking their hand, a gentle touch." She said exceptional patient care was ingrained in her as a student at Michael Reese, where she followed in her mother’s footsteps.

Her mother served as the head nurse in Labor and Delivery before Ellen’s birth. When she had to pick a specialty, OB-GYN seemed like a natural, and Ahern began working at the hospital immediately after her graduation.

She specialized in high-risk OB and gynecological surgery, working at the hospital and then as nurse for a doctor in private practice. "Primarily we dealt with cervical and uterine cancers, both chemotherapy and post-operative. We also dealt with babies in the C-section nurseries."

During the 18 years she worked with the private practice, Ahern saw her role change from direct patient care into more administrative tasks. "I found I was spending time working on payroll taxes and managing equipment. I was so involved with the office, I felt I had lost touch with nursing and I wanted to get back to it."

Ahern began talking with people she knew and after one conversation found herself doing a home visit with a Rainbow Hospice nurse. That was five years ago and she’s been at Rainbow Hospice ever since. "This is the best position I’ve ever had. I wish I had done it sooner. It’s trying, sad and wonderful all at the same time," she says.

As for the role of hospice, Ahern says, "We all have to go through birth and death. People need help in following their journey and we’re just here to help."

Recently Ahern was promoted to Patient Care Manager from Case Manager. Her work involves overseeing nurses and home health aides for a Rainbow Hospice patient care team, coordinating the social work, pastoral care and music therapy.

In announcing her promotion, Amy Frazier, Director of Clinical Operations at Rainbow Hospice, praised Ahern for her compassion as well as her expertise in patient care, ambulatory care and management. Ahern herself sees the hospice role as becoming more important as baby boomers age. "We won’t stand for the same things our parents did," she says. She adds that being able to serve both ends of life is a privilege.

The nurses at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Chicago will celebrate Illinois Nurses’ week—and the birthday of Florence Nightingale—this year with the theme "Strength, Commitment, Compassion." That week, the hospital’s Nursing Support Council will recognize the contributions Shriners’ nurses and nursing assistants make every day to their patients and the community: researching, planning, coordinating, and teaching. To care for those who are consistently caring for others, the Council has planned "sundaes on Monday"; a tea for Tuesday, and "Let them eat cake" for Wednesday. On Thursdays, each shift will choose "Let’s do lunch," "Meet for dinner," or "Catch a midnight snack." Friday will bring a very special "Millar Time." On Friday, May 12, the hospital is recognizing the immense contribution of its emeritus Chief of Staff, Edward Millar, M.D. On that day, the hospital hosts the first Millar Symposium, a day of medical lectures on orthopedic surgery. Dr. Millar has long been a champion of the nurses at Shriners and their contribution to the history of pediatric orthopedic surgery, and this day of education will provide a fitting conclusion to the celebration of the nurses at Shriners.

(l-r) Pat Szymczak, Pat Michniak, and Alice Janssen enjoy a laugh with their cake.

Clinical Care
Peggy Reth
Admissions Nurse

Peggy Reth began her career knowing that nursing satisfied two of her greatest interests: caring for people and teaching. Because nursing presents so many options and opportunities for providing direct care to specific populations, Peggy has some wide-ranging experience. After getting degrees from Ravenswood Hospital Nursing Program and The College of St. Francis, she went on to work in a medical/surgical unit, where she learned so much as a beginning nurse. From there, she went on to some very challenging work in an adolescent spinal cord unit, and then to an oncology unit where she learned a great deal about the disease and the delivery of chemotherapy.

Peggy began her work with Horizon Hospice and Palliative Care in 1987 and she’s been involved with the organization ever since. She has truly found a home with us—after spending three years as a hospice volunteer and learning about end-of-life care, she came on board as an Admissions Nurse. As a part of Horizon’s clinical staff, Peggy enjoys that there is always a new situation to contribute to or learn from. Oftentimes, she is one of the first staff that patients see, so she has the opportunity to not only deliver patient care, but also to educate patients and families about pain and symptom management. She appreciates the unique challenges of end-of-life care and the incredible privilege it is to be a clinician and educator at such an important point in someone’s life. Peggy states that, "The satisfaction is in being in the patient’s setting and addressing their specific needs." In fact, she says that the reward of assisting and caring for people in their homes is what allows her to continue as a hospice nurse.

Honoring the Nurse of the Year is an important part of Lake Forest Hospital’s observance of National Nurses’ Week (May 6-12). This year’s recipient is Kris Ongkiko, R.N., who works in Telemetry. She was selected from the hospital’s four Nurse of the Quarter award winners, based on nominations from coworkers, physicians and patients. Recipients are honored for their excellence, integrity, respect, teamwork and innovation on the job. Ongkiko will be recognized at Lake Forest Hospital’s annual Nurses’ Week Luncheon along with the other Nurse of the Quarter award recipients: Karen Mahnke, R.N., Clinical Education; Insook Lee, R.N., ICU; and Denise McMahon, R.N., Acute Care.

Lake Forest Hospital Nurse of the Year Kris Ongkiko, R.N.

Also being honored is Lake Forest Hospital’s Patient Care Tech of the Year. Danny Ramirez, PCT, who works in ICU, received multiple nominations defining him as the "reason the night shift goes so smoothly" because he goes the extra mile to assure the work is done and works collaboratively with ancillary staff to assure the best care for patients. "Team player" is used to describe Ramirez in all nominations. The other PCT of the Quarter award recipients were Nora Miclea, Deloris Houston and Mary Acosta.

Forest Hospital Patient Care Tech of the Year Danny Ramirez, PCT.

Community Service
Sharon Ward, R.N.

In the midst of Hurricane Katrina, Sharon Ward, R.N. rapidly assembled a team of over 400 volunteer associates who were willing to be deployed to provide much needed healthcare in the affected areas. When evacuees from Katrina began arriving in Chicago during Labor Day weekend, there was no immediate access to care due to the holiday. Sharon quickly organized and opened a clinic and staffed it with physicians, nurses, social workers and registration personnel. Sharon's heroic actions are worthy of a Salute during this year’s Nurses Week.

Sandra Clark, R.N., BSN, MSN

Area of Specialty: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
How has nursing changed in your career? I have seen many changes in nursing in the last 30 years. There have been tremendous advancements in technology and ever-increasing opportunities to advance your skills due to these changes. Nursing has also become increasingly more autonomous. Nurses are now no longer considered the physicians’ assistants, but partners.
How will the practice of nursing change in the next decade? Nursing is a profession that will continue to be challenging and rewarding. It is a career where continuing education is necessary in order to grow your skills set and advance.
What is the biggest challenge confronting nursing? The biggest challenge today is the nursing shortage facing our country. We need capable men and women to know that nursing is a rewarding and viable career option. People are living longer and face more and more medical issues. The workload for healthcare workers is increasing and that is why this nation must develop means to support healthcare in the present and future.
Most valuable lesson you have learned in your career: I have learned to appreciate the differences in people and that every person has great potential if they are given the right environment and tools to help them develop.
Person you most admire: I really admire former President Jimmy Carter for his endless humanitarian efforts.
What advice would you offer nursing graduates? I would advise nursing graduates to always know that they can and will make a difference in someone's life every time they are providing care for a patient and the patient’s family. Their nursing care can support someone in the most difficult time of their lives.

Leadership
Jennifer Chandler, R.N.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital has a true leader and dedicated nurse in Director of Nursing Services Jennifer Chandler, R.N., MS, MBA. Her career speaks not only to her sense of dedication and direction in the nursing field but especially to her leadership in her different roles throughout her career.

Jennifer has served in many capacities with the University of Illinois and at La Rabida, and has worked hard to continue her education to help support her in these roles. She has managed to implement many positive changes in processes and care structure at La Rabida while reducing staff nurse vacancy rates.

Her leadership at La Rabida has been invaluable throughout big changes at the hospital, including the construction of a new inpatient unit and switching from 8 hour to 12 hour shifts. Jennifer is dedicated to improving the workplace for the nursing staff as well as the patients, and like most true leaders she sets the example for others to follow with her outstanding work ethic.

The patients and staff of La Rabida have all benefited from the leadership of Jennifer Chandler because of her commitment to the hospital and excellence in nursing

Kathy Delapaz: Exceptional Manager Who Makes A Difference

As the Nurse Manager and staff nurse at of one of the busiest Emergency Departments in the Chicagoland area, West Suburban Medical Center’s Kathy Delapaz, R.N., is accountable for the 24-hour operation of the Emergency Department and oversees the care of more than 50,000 patients per year. In her dual role as nurse manager and staff nurse, she demonstrates exceptional management of nursing and patient care services on a daily basis.

An unbiased, caring individual who is committed to her employees, Delapaz has created a resolute bond with each member of her staff. She possesses a sense of confidence and evenhandedness that allows members of her staff to go to her with any issue and feel that their confidentiality has not been compromised. She handles every situation in a professional manner, always keeping in mind that her employees have feelings and lives of their own. She treats her staff like family, which elicits an enormous amount of respect.

"Kathy is committed to those she works with and those she works for – the patient and the hospital," says Sandra Watkins, R.N., Director, Emergency Department. "She prides herself on being a patient and staff advocate. She will fight for what she believes is the right thing for the patient and will go to great lengths to ensure the proper and best care is provided."

Recently, the Emergency Department had to deal with the loss of one of their own nurses to an illness. A nurturing mother and nurse, Delapaz did what comes naturally to her by putting her grief aside to help others come to terms with the loss. She helped the nurse’s family, who lived out of town, gather her belongings and helped them understand what their son meant to the hospital and Emergency Department family. She helped her co-workers grieve by planning a memorial service so that the staff could say good-bye. She even made sure a tape was made of the services so that the nurse’s elderly mother could see what an asset her son was to the hospital and his co-workers. She orchestrated all of this with out being asked. Never once did she utter the words "this is not my job," instead she took on the job of nurse and began mending broken hearts.

To know Kathy Delapaz is to know compassion and understand the true meaning of excellence. Her deep concern for her patients, visitors and staff extends beyond the time clock at work. She provides a positive professional influence as well as guidance and support to her coworkers.

by Maureen McCusker

Nancy Brewer, R.N., had been an intensive care nurse for six years when she decided patients and families deserved more options as they battled serious, often fatal illnesses. "We did everything to save a life. Everything," she says. "But I believe in giving families choices—something generally not possible in intensive care."

She was researching those options when she found VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Chicagoland Northwest. She took some of our concepts back to the intensive care unit, but she ended up joining the VITAS staff. Now when she goes into a hospital, it’s "on a very different side of care," she says. "And it’s more challenging than I ever expected."

Intensive care is technically and medically demanding, but it concentrates on a failing body system. "If we concentrate on the heart or the lungs, we’re not thinking about the bowel or wounds," she says. "VITAS must assure the comfort of every body system, plus the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family." After six years with VITAS, Nancy knows she makes a difference every day. The notes she receives from families, the words of appreciation from a doctor, are a plus. She is proud of the caliber of care VITAS offers. "We have aides, social workers and chaplains in the hospitals, not just for patients in private homes," she explains. "And we have a regular routine. Hospitals know what to expect from VITAS. We work as a huge team with their staff, their doctors, the patient and the family. VITAS is an excellent coordinator."

And Nancy is an excellent communicator. She speaks to hospital staff after every visit. She’ll call the patient’s family if they are not present, or return to the hospital when they are. Sometimes the patient is stable and it is the family that requires most of Nancy’s attention.

She doesn’t see herself as special. "All the nurses and aides in the Lombard program go out of their way to care for patients, on their own time, using their own money for gifts or food, making patients’ wishes happen," she says. "It’s wonderful how generously we care for our patients—through VITAS, yes, but also through our hearts. And we help each other.

"I marvel that my name was mentioned as an outstanding nurse," says Nancy Brewer. "You could talk to any one of us, and the story would be the same."

Maureen McCusker, patient care administrator for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Chicagoland Northeast, can be reached at 800-93VITAS.

Colleen O’Leary, R.N., BSN, OCN

Colleen O’Leary, R.N., BSN, OCN, is a nurse whose exceptional abilities to continuously improve patient care on her unit and throughout the hospital is frequently recognized by her peers, managers and the industry. Recently, Colleen was awarded the hospital’s prestigious "Compassionate Care Awards," an award that recognizes caregivers who exemplify and serve as role models for the humanistic and compassionate care of cancer patients. Colleen is known for staying past her shift to talk with anxious patients about an upcoming treatment. She also takes on the role of nurse educator, in which she was requested by the Northwestern Memorial Academy to help lead a new orientation program for new nursing graduates. Colleen recently initiated the Schwartz Center Rounds in the hospital, a monthly program that allows caregivers to talk about the psychosocial issues that healthcare workers struggle with daily. Colleen’s goal for these rounds is to help healthcare workers care for their patients in the most compassionate and effective way possible. Outside of the hospital, Colleen is equally recognized. In May, she will receive the Oncology Nursing Society’s prestigious "Pearl Moore Making a Difference Award," which showcases an oncology Registered Nurse who has made a difference in oncology nursing at the local or regional level. Colleen’s infectious commitment to patient care and education is evident and the hospital is fortunate to have her as one of our best people.

Cheryl L. Fornowski, BSN, R.N.
NICU Clinical Educator, NICU staff RN

Education: BSN
How long have you been a nurse at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital?
In my 17th year, but have been a NICU nurse for over 25 years.
Please explain your specialty as a nurse:
NICU. The population served in the NICU are premature babies, surgical babies, neuro babies, babies with genetic issues, baby’s with respiratory/infection issues, babies with heart problems.
Why did you choose to become a nurse?
I have always wanted to be a nurse. I used to watch all the medical shows growing up. Nurses seemed to have the most "hands on" with people in need. There was a sense of starting from point A and moving through whatever was at hand to point Z, where the patient and family were well enough to care for themselves and become a family unit again. You are an integral part of the person/family becoming whole again.
For you, what is the biggest challenge being a nurse?
Throughout the years, everything has progressed in its complexity-knowledge, technology, information systems, communicating with so many more people/departments than ever before. If one area is unable to do their part, it becomes difficult for the nurse (me) to pull my part together.
What is the most rewarding about being a nurse?
The people you get to know and care for, the staff you work with, the pride you can take in seeing the "fruits of your labor"-admission when you are sick and helpless to discharge and healthy.
What is your proudest moment?
Two experiences come to mind: The first when I was presented with the "Best Practice" award last year at our nurses’ choice awards here at Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital, and the other when one of my coworkers tells others that if they had a baby in the NICU, they would want me to care for their infant.
What advice would you give to others considering a career in healthcare?
All careers are a challenge-it is what you make of it! It can be/is rewarding no matter what area of healthcare you might choose. If you enjoy it, you will succeed at it! You need to find where you fit in. If you are motivated, knowledgeable, interested in learning more, interested in being helpful to others, compassionate, and can listen to the needs of others, you should consider healthcare as a profession.

Carol Flanagan, Manager of the Cancer Treatment Center and Clinical Educator for Oncology at Resurrection Medical Center, has been an RMC nurse for 26 years. During this time, she has dedicated herself to the service of others, learning the joy of giving by engaging in a myriad of altruistic activities. Her compassion, understanding, enthusiasm and sense of humor have made a great difference in the lives of the patients she serves.

Carol Flanagan, Manager of the Cancer Treatment Center and Clinical Educator for Oncology at Resurrection Medical Center posed last December with Don Keprta, President of Dominick’s Finer Foods stores. Through partnerships with Dominick’s, Resurrection Medical Center received $10,000 of nearly $470,000 raised by the grocery chain to fund Breast Cancer programs in 2005.

For several years, Carol has coordinated committees at RMC that have planned and promoted annual programs for breast cancer and colorectal cancer screenings in partnership with Dominick’s Finer Foods.

RMC presented a Breast Health Day for staff and volunteers, with Carol and her committee developing a program for the event that included free clinical breast exams by female physicians and an educational component on breast health and breast self-exam. Carol also serves on a wellness-in-the-community committee at RMC that is bringing Active for Life, a workplace wellness program, to staff and volunteers throughout the Resurrection Medical Center campus.

A long-time member of the Chicago Regional Leadership Board of the American Cancer Society (ACS), Carol chairs its Health Initiatives Committee. This committee is charged with providing educational programs and materials related to the early detection and prevention of cancer. At-risk populations are identified to ensure that programs and services are tailored to the needs of each community. Carol serves on the ACS Speaker’s Bureau and presents on a variety of topics including: Health Choices, Tobacco, Women’s Health, Men’s Health and specific cancers.

Carol has been an active member of the ACS annual Edison Park Relay for Life. She plans fun activities to teach cancer prevention and making healthy choices for diet and exercise during the over-night event.

Carol coordinates the Resurrection Health Care teams for the ACS’s Walk and Roll Chicago, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and the LLS Light the Night.

As part of her commitment to public health, she was involved in the Smoke Free Chicago campaign. This involved making both the public and elected officials aware of the health risks associated with second-hand smoke. The effort successfully led to a smoking ban in public places including restaurants in the City of Chicago. Carol facilitates cancer support groups offered at RMC including the Us Too! Prostate cancer support group, the Leukemia & Lymphomas Society Support Group, the Cancer Support Group and the Butterfly Club, which serves children who have a parent living with cancer.

Michael Kremer, DNSc, CRNA, FAAN

Area of Specialty: Associate Professor & Chair, Nurse Anesthesia Department
Education: B.S./B.A., Northern Illinois University; B.S. University of Illinois-Springfield; M.S.N., Seattle Pacific University; DNSc, Rush University
How has nursing changed in your career? I have had great flexibility in working arrangements that have allowed me to pursue additional education, and to live in different parts of the country. The professional and personal network of colleagues in nursing has been very valuable. I would not want to have had another career, since I’ve been able to work as a teacher, practitioner and administrator.
How will the practice of nursing change in the next decade? Advances in technology and pharmacology continue to influence practice. Interprofessional care will become operationalized across health systems. Qualities such as caring and vigilance remain central to nursing practice. Research findings have demonstrated tangible benefits in terms of patient safety and satisfaction when adequate numbers of professional nurses are available. Health care facilities must not compromise in this regard.
What is the biggest challenge confronting nursing? The workforce needs are critical, with an average RN age of 48. Doctorally prepared faculty have higher mean ages and attrition in these ranks is a concern. More than 30,000 qualified applicants were turned away from baccalaureate and graduate schools of nursing last year, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/2005/Enrollments05.htm, accessed 4-24-06).
Most valuable lesson you have learned in your career: Nothing is permanent except change. Person you most admire: Luther Christman, PhD, RN, FAAN. Dr. Christman chose nursing as a career when it was an uncommon choice for men. He influenced the nursing profession and health care delivery through the development of the unification of practice and education.
What advice would you offer nursing graduates? Be open to all career possibilities. Know your value as a professional. Take advantage of opportunities for organizational involvement. Nurses are known and trusted by the public and legislators.

Maria A. Connolly, DNSc, APRN, FCCM
Dean

Area of Specialty: Critical Care Nursing/Nurse Educator
Education: Doctorate of Nursing Science
How has nursing changed in your career?
What all nurses know is that "change is a constant" in our profession. Nursing is a profession that changes not only over years but over weeks, even day by day! Nurses are life-long learners and their practice now is based on research findings along with the traditional nursing intuition.
How will the practice of nursing change in the next decade?
Science will change medical and nursing practice. The Human Genome Project will help us replace faulty genes and diseases will be eliminated. But nursing will continue to do what is has always done very well...to treat the human spirit and be a patient/family advocate in health and illness.
What is the biggest challenge confronting nursing?
The shortage of qualified nursing faculty at a time when we have more nursing school applicants then we can accommodate.
Most valuable lesson you have learned in your career:
Nurses are a significant and very valuable professionals who make a critical difference every day in the lives of their patients and families.
Person you most admire: All those special unknown nursing professionals to have devoted their lives to helping others without recognition or notoriety.
What advice would you offer nursing graduates? The Cat in Hat promise holds true for nurses..."Oh the places you will go and the people you will meet" nursing will take you around the world if you let it"! Stay the course as a professional nurse!

Teaching
Kathy Cook, R.N., APN, MSN, CWOCN

Nurse clinician, staff educator and wound ostomy expert all describe Adventist GlenOaks nurse Kathy Cook, R.N., APN, MSN, CWOCN. The 10-year employee finds joy in helping patients and teaching staff about caring for complex and complicated wounds.

As a certified wound ostomy continence nurse, Cook can be found in the ICU or medical/surgical units teaching both patients and staff about skin irritations, giving self care instructions or providing wound/ostomy care. A clinical nurse specialist and manager of nursing education, Cook said she enjoys the challenges of bringing new equipment and procedures into the nursing realm.

"I love the variety this job brings," she said. "I enjoy being able to teach patients how to care for themselves when they go home."

It was a physician colleague who specialized in general surgery that persuaded Cook to receive her national certification in wound ostomy continence nursing. Today, she teaches nurses how to identify patients at high-risk for developing pressure ulcers and methods to prevent pressure ulcers.

"These types of quality indicators are important to our hospital. Staff, patients and their families need to be educated about their significance," Cook said.

Mary Murphy, chief nursing officer at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, said Cook embraces hands-on learning and taking a global perspective to her position.

"Kathy is an outstanding educator with the best of both worlds," said Murphy. "She’s able to connect with the nurses and provide them with the information needed to perform their jobs safely, but she can also effectively communicate with patients and their families about serious health issues."

In addition to her daily work, Cook serves on various hospital and Adventist’s regional committees such as falls, skin care management and the medication task force. She also represents Adventist GlenOaks on the Healthcare Leadership Council and the Northern Illinois Healthcare Education Network.

Leadership
Barbara McNulty

Named Assistant Manager of Loretto Hospital's Emergency Department, Barbara has been a nurse for the past 25 years. She has extensive experience in Emergency Care which includes Trauma and Burn Units. Barbara is a graduate of Nazareth School of Nursing and the University of Illinois where she received her Bachelor's degree. Her recent certifications include a certificate as a qualified Open Heart Nurse, ACLS, PALS, and CPR.

Barbara assists Loretto's James D. Montgomery Men's Health Program by performing prostate, blood pressure, and diabetic health screenings in the Austin Community. She is a special kind of nurse, with a special smile and tender touch. Loretto is happy Barbara is part of our healthcare team.

Her co-workers describe Jameil Breit, R.N., as a highly professional nurse, compassionate towards her patients with continuing enthusiasm for knowledge. Jameil has worked six years at Rush North Shore Medical Center, the last five on the hospital’s in-patient psychiatric unit.

"Jameil is a true patient advocate, who considers all medical, social, psychological aspects of the individuals in her care. Her efforts to provide excellent service make her a positive role model for all and especially for nursing students," says Faith Skrocki, R.N., Patient Care Director.

Jameil takes an active role at Rush North Shore where she is involved in various committees. She also has participated in Psychiatric Nursing Grand Rounds and is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

In her 18 years as an oncology nurse at La Grange Memorial Hospital, Susan Nazal has seen many changes. But what hasn’t changed is her commitment to patients and the field of nursing.

Nazal, a credentialed chemotherapy nurse who serves as a charge nurse, preceptor and community liaison, said she’ll never tire of delivering bedside care to patients and their families.

"I’m fortunate enough to be able to help patients and their families – it’s the best part of my job," Nazal said. "Even after a patient dies, the families come back to the unit and hug me. I couldn’t possibly remember all of their names, but to know I touched their lives brings me great joy."

Today, there are many more positive changes at the hospital, Nazal said. The new Patient Care Center will open in late June, housing all 223 medical, surgical and ICU beds. The rooms – all private – will be the picture of comfort and efficiency, with cable television, computer data ports, improved lighting and sofas that convert to hideaway beds for guests.

"I’m really looking forward to the center opening," Nazal said. "The facility is modern and beautiful. It will be a positive addition to our community."

Nazal’s enthusiasm for her job is contagious, said Sheila Horner, chief nursing officer at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital. "Susan connects with patients and their families very easily," Horner said. "She has a very caring spirit and it shines through in every interaction she has."

Nazal’s career began while she was living in the Orient. Her college director, an American and also a family friend, encouraged her to come to the United States to pursue nursing. After earning her nursing degree, Nazal did just that.

At the beginning of her career, Nazal worked in obstetrics, neonatal and trauma units before arriving at La Grange Memorial Hospital in 1988. She settled into the oncology unit and hasn’t looked back since. "I always say my work is my social life," she said. "I really look forward to each day. I do my best to accommodate and help others, and they are appreciative of that."

Both patients and nurses have a champion in Rose Ziffra, a certified PACU nurse with Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.

To patients, Ziffra is a trusted caregiver whose 18 years of experience, Clinical Level III status and CPAN certification help ensure high patient care and optimal patient outcomes.

To her fellow nurses, Ziffra serves as a cheerleader for the hospital’s journey toward Magnet status and embraces a philosophy of high-level training and personal involvement.

"Rose is an inspiration to her peers," said Jackie Stege, R.N., manager, PACU, Day Surgery, Pre-Admission Testing and Pain Management Centers at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital. "She consistently maintains a positive attitude, supports change with enthusiasm, takes on additional duties without complaint, and encourages others to follow her example."

Ziffra divides her time between the PACU and the Hinsdale Pain Management Center. There, Ziffra and colleague Brenda Nolan, an acute pain nurse, developed a hospital protocol for pain management where a special sticker is placed in the chart of patients being treated for chronic pain. "The sticker acts as a prompt for nurses and physicians for early identification and appropriate pain management," she said. "We can adjust medications accordingly and have the orders in place before surgery."

Ziffra also obtained signed pledges from physicians in the Pain Center to commit to hand hygiene guidelines. She serves on the Code Blue committee, Pain committee, acts as the PACU’s Magnet Operations Council member, and encourages her colleagues to obtain certifications in their field.

"Rose is humble regarding her own accomplishments, yet she applauds the achievements of others," Stege said. "She has an excellent rapport with her colleagues, physicians and patients, and always wears a smile from ear to ear."

Ziffra worked in a trauma center before arriving at AHH 18 years ago. Her sister, Riz Bangayan, joined her one month later and now works as the nurse manager of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

It’s the rewarding work of making patients feel better that keeps her here, she said. "Their life depends on you," she said. "Once they wake up, it’s your job to make sure they have a good recovery. To see someone smile after they’ve been crying, or to help someone who has suffered in pain for years is very rewarding."

by Patti Ludwig-Beymer, PhD, R.N., CTN

This year, Edward Hospital recognizes the many nurses who make Edward a great place to receive care. The nurses at Edward provide excellent clinical care and community service, advance the profession of nursing, mentor, teach and lead others, demonstrate creativity and innovation, and serve as patient advocates. Since it is impossible to mention the1,350 nurses who practice at Edward Hospital, we acknowledge several groups of nurses who represent their colleagues.

First, we recognize our Magnet Conductors. The Magnet Conductors are a dynamic group of nearly 100 nurses who met weekly and helped to translate the Forces of Magnetism to their units. These creative and imaginative nurses were instrumental in Edward Hospital’s Magnet journey, which culminated in Magnet designation in July, 2005.

Edward Hospital Magnet Nurses (l-r) Deb Liszka, Marge Curran, Therese Murphy and Diane Patino as they were being whisked away to the Magnet conference in Miami

In addition, we acknowledge four outstanding nurses who represented Edward at the recent Magnet Conference: Marge Curran, R.N. (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), Deb Liszka, R.N. (Short Stay Unit), Therese Murphy, R.N. (Intensive Care Unit), and Diane Patino, R.N. (Ambulatory Surgical Care Center). These nurses were selected to attend the conference based on a competitive essay in which they described the importance of the Magnet designation to them personally and identified how they plan to continue to support the Forces of Magnetism at Edward.

Last, we recognize three councils whose members meet monthly to make important decisions about nursing at Edward. The Quality Council, chaired by Susan Greer, R.N., develops and reviews unit score cards, facilitates improvement efforts, and stimulates nursing research. The Professional Practice Council, chaired by Jean Dwyer, R.N., identifies and addresses issues that influence the practice of nursing at Edward. This includes interfacing with many other committees, such as Bio-Ethics, Documentation, Policy, and Products. The Development Council, chaired by Laura Lopez, R.N., plans a variety of education and recognition events, including specific classes and a week-long celebration for nurses week.