VWCH honors employees during National Healthcare Week
May 22, 2007Valley West Community Hospital employees have been recognized for their years of service to the hospital.
Employees who have worked 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 years were honored at the annual KishHealth System Employee Recognition Banquet May 10.
Mary Jane Hotopp and Jenelle Muzzillo were recognized for 35 years of service.
Hotopp, a radiology and mammography technician, began her career after attending St. Luke’s School of X-Ray in Aberdeen, North Dakota. After working in both Washington and California, Mary Jane moved to Sandwich Community Hospital in 1971, and spent time in various roles including X-Ray, CT, and Mammography.
Muzzillo, a registered nurse, held multiple clinical positions including Intensive Care Unit supervisor and Director of Acute Care Services before moving to her current position as Emergency Department coder/auditor.
Deanna Frances, Cheryl French, and Linda S. Johnson, RN, were honored for 30 years of service to the hospital.
Frances, Materials Management, started working in the hospital for the first time in 1970 as a Candy Striper for the Sandwich Hospital Auxiliary. Throughout her senior year of high school, she worked half days as a purchasing clerk, and in 1982, became storeroom supervisor, and in 1983, purchasing supervisor. She took over as Department Manager in 1985.
French, Patient Registration, has worked all three shifts in Patient Registration at Valley West, spent time in Patient Registration at Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb, and assisted in Medical Records prior to the expansion of Valley West Community Hospital. French responded to changes in patient and community demographics by continuing her education in taking a Spanish language course.
Johnson, RN, began her career at Valley West Community Hospital in 1977, as a unit clerk, and later as a nurse’s aide. In 1982, she worked in the Intensive Care Unit as a licensed practical nurse, and in 1983, became a registered nurse. Johnson continues to work in Intensive Care, and is part of the team that achieved Joint Commission approval.
Twenty-five year awards were given to Nancy Barnes and Kristena Wyant
Barnes, RN, began working at Valley West Community Hospital part-time and in 1982, became a staff nurse in the Medical/Surgical unit. In 1990, she moved to the Emergency Department as staff nurse and relief house supervisor. She has been a Continuity of Care nurse since 1993, and served on the Ethics Committee, Inpatient Satisfaction Team, and attended case management seminars.
Wyant, RN, started her nursing career at Valley West Community Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit in August 1981. After several years working as the manager of Intensive Care, Medical/Surgical and House Supervision, she returned to bedside care, and in 1991 received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Francis University. Wyant also is the recipient of the 2007 Valley West Community Hospital Nurse of the Year award.
Twenty-year honorees were Christine Cain, Health Information Management, and Joanne Schnabel, Patient Registration.
Fifteen-year honorees were Penni Blue, Dietary; Barbara Dobson, Surgical Services; Kenneth Mason, Maintenance; and Deborah McCloud, Emergency Services.
Ten-year honorees were Billie Holstein, Deitary; Theresa Rettig, Patient Services; and Samantha Smith, Cardiac Rehab.
Five-year honorees were Kathy Burridge, Housekeeping; Carrie Collins, Surgical Services; Sharonlynne Gruber, Patient Registration; Misti Harloff, Cardiac Rehab; Irene Hill, Emergency Services; Roberta Johnson, Housekeeping; Barbara Martinez, Medical/Surgical/Pediatric; Christine Morsch, Materials Management; Paul Rothenbach, Cardio-Pulmonary; Marcia Staniszewski, Emergency Services; and Kathryn Tellefson, Health Information Management.
