CROWN POINT It goes without saying that Saint Anthony Medical Center has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of size, scope of treatment and community outreach since its doors opened on March 1, 1974.
But its true foundation lies in the Franciscan values (respect for life, fidelity to mission, compassionate concern, joyful service and Christian stewardship) that are the cornerstone of its parent, Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc.
Those ideals are reflected in the approximately 350 Saint Anthony staff doctors and 1,450 employees. But the values are no better exemplified than in the approximately 25 workers who have been with the hospital since day one. While their duties may differ, they share a common thread of dedication to their jobs and to the work place they call home.
Hospital President David Ruskowski says, “I am very proud to have the privilege of working with this great hospital and physician staff. The fact that so many of our original employees still are with us is a testimony to our success and dedication to them and to our patients.”
Among the longtime employees are:
Dr. John King
King, vice president of medical affairs, was one of the original five physicians brought on at Saint Anthony Medical Center. He began as chairman of the obstetrics-gynecology department and after about 10 years, served as chief of staff. He has been in his current post since 1996. The growth he has witnessed at the hospital and in the community has been great. “We now have about 350 doctors who offer all the specialties and our buildings and facilities have increased greatly. Our Franciscan Physicians Network has expanded to 12 sites – from Schererville to the west, Valparaiso to the east, Roselawn to the south and 93rd and Broadway (Crown Point) to the north.” King says he enjoys his work, to which he refers as a vocation and a hobby. “There is nothing else I would rather be doing. Medicine is my life.” As to why he has been with Saint Anthony for so long, King says, “It’s the mission and vision – the five Franciscan values. The overall Catholic aspect and the involvement in health care. I enjoy my relationships with the medical staff, the hospital personnel and the Franciscan Sisters.”
Jill Andrews
Andrews is a computer technician who began her Saint Anthony career in the dietary department, where she worked as a baker for a while. She worked part time her first two years with the hospital and has been full time for 33 years. Andrews believes she has found a niche in her current job. “I enjoy helping people. I consider myself a people person and meeting new people all the time. I like the sense of making their day by fixing something. I like walking away knowing they were happy because of something I did.”
She also enjoys the challenges. “In Information Services, it never is boring and dull.”Among myriad changes the hospital has seen, Jill recalls the days when patients and guests were allowed to smoke in rooms, on balconies and in the cafeteria, when the hospital had but three floors, when males weren’t allowed to have beards and women’s dresses or skirts could be not be short. Times have changed, but, Jill says, “It’s always been a nice, clean environment. I always thought that if I got into the medical field, I could have a lifelong career. I plan to stay where I am until I retire.”
Mary Ashbaugh
Ashbaugh is office coordinator for Spiritual Care Services. She started her Saint Anthony career as an administrative communication control unit clerk in nursing. “This place is home. It’s the only hospital I’ve ever worked with or intend to work with. I feel such a sense of ownership in this hospital,” she says, adding, “Many (employees) have had their kids born here. The kids grew up here and now many of them have jobs here. We look at each other as an extended work family.” Ashbaugh says the department’s mission is one of reaching out to those in need, when they most need it. “We provide spiritual care for patients, families and for each other. I believe I was called by God to be here.”
But, times can get tough in her line of work, she says. “Sometimes, the (seven-member) staff can be broken by what they have witnessed. We give each other caring and protection – we ask how we can help each other.” Ashbaugh says she wouldn’t trade her work, or her place of business, for any other. “Workers here feel special, from top to bottom. It’s a blessed place to work. It really is.”
The Rev. Anthony Janik
“Father Tony,’’ as he is best known, is director of Spiritual Services. He started with Saint Anthony part-time as a fill-in for the then-director of pastoral services and has been in his present role since 1989. Janik has seen the department grow to five, full-time chaplains and two other full-time staff members, among them Mary Ashbaugh. “The more people we have available, the more we can meet spiritual needs,” Janik says. “We deal with everyone, regardless of whether they have had a faith-based upbringing. We deal with the spirituality of the patient.” Among the department’s services are dealing with patients’ anticipatory grief of losing their lives and helping their families cope. “We also help patients through the loss of babies. We bless children, animals, the throat. We offer a 24-hour TV station that televises all of our services, including daily Mass. We do end-of-life consultation, anointing of the sick – we see every person who comes into the hospital within 24 hours.”
Janik says he enjoys journeying with people during times of crisis. “It is a privilege to walk people to the foyer of eternal life … Everybody is called to something – this is my calling. I am staying here because God wants me here now. I enjoy what I do and am grateful that we have a place to work and service the community.”
Cynthia Nowicki
Nowicki, a registered staff nurse, actually started working at Saint Anthony in March 1975, but wishes she had been there a year earlier. “I worked at another hospital for four years before I came here and there is no comparison. There is no reason to go anywhere else,” she says of Saint Anthony. “The atmosphere here is so friendly and positive.” Nowicki credits that to the Franciscan values that are followed. “The people I work with seem to care more than they do at other places.” The changes at the hospital and in birthing procedures have been great since her early days at Saint Anthony, Nowicki says.
“Labor and delivery areas used to be separated. Mothers would be taken to the delivery table, then put back on the cart and taken back to their rooms. These days, labor and delivery all happen in the mother’s room.” Nowicki, who also has served as midnight charge nurse and patient care manager, recalls the days when fathers weren’t allowed to be in the delivery room and when babies only were taken out of the nursery for feedings, every four hours, and didn’t spend much time with their mothers. Now, babies and moms can stay in the same room. Among Nowicki’s fondest memories are hospital picnics that once took place at the now-defunct Sauzer’s Kiddieland in Schererville. These days, she enjoys the employee recognition dinners. “It’s so good to see how people are appreciated for what they do here,” Nowicki says.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment