January Associate of the Month: Plymouth Campus

Maggie Erickson

Plymouth Campus

Maggie Erickson, RNC, BSN, Obstetrics

Twenty-one years ago, Maggie Erickson joined the Critical Care Unit staff at the former Saint Joseph Hospital in downtown Mishawaka. In 1995, she transferred to the Plymouth Campus and its Obstetrics (OB) Unit. No matter where she has been, Maggie has consistently been one of SJRMC’s greatest ambassadors.

“You have to be, no matter where you work in a hospital,” she said. “And on OB, what a tremendous opportunity that is to establish relationships between the hospital and the community! These patients are people who are very open to the education aspect of health care because, we all know who have children; babies do not come with a set of instructions.”

Maggie enjoys and thrives on that teaching part of health care. The OB Unit allows for one-on-one interaction that comforts and eases her patients.

“Maggie is a very skilled OB nurse,” said Michele Seese, Plymouth’s OB Nursing Manager. “Her patients love her for her knowledge and the caring, fun way that she delivers her teaching to them.”

She is instrumental in providing education to not only her unit but to the community as well. Within the last year, Maggie completed her Evidence-Based project on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Maggie was then asked to present at the Northwest Indiana Research Consortium in Merrillville.

“Everything we do, whether it is on our unit or out in the community is a reflection of our hospital,” Maggie said. “It is an honor to work here and I appreciate the fact that my co-workers and patients value my opinion. This is a wonderful place to work.”

Congratulations to Maggie Erickson, SJRMC/Plymouth’s Associate of the Month for January!

January Associate of the Month: Mishawaka Campus

Carol Burgress

Mishawaka Campus

Carol Burgess, Specialty Technician, Surgical Intensive Care Unit

For Carol Burgess, working in SJRMC’s Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) is like being part of a family.

“It really is like a family up here in that we all know what we’re thinking and we know how to react and what to do in every situation,” she said. “This is a very close, nice bunch of people. We’re all one up here.”

Carol has been part of the hospital’s SICU family for 22 years. Since day one, she’s demonstrated an eagerness and energy level that helps set the tone on the 2nd Floor Unit at the Mishawaka Campus.

“Carol is in high gear all the time,” said Chris Fox, Director of Critical Care. “She multi-tasks throughout the unit answering phones, answering call lights, assisting doctors, nurses, and visitors.”

“I love our nurses,” said Carol. “I love to make sure they have everything they need to take care of their patients.”

And not just the patients in her unit. Recently, the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) was short-staffed due to the snowstorm in early January. Carol made sure he SICU was situated and the she volunteered to assist in the PCU, spending nearly five hours helping through very busy hours.

For Carol, that’s all in a day’s work. She can never do too much to help her SICU family, as well as the many families of patients who are there during very critical times.

“On this unit, we see many patients recovering from very serious procedures,” she said. “You know what the family is going through so you have to be strong for them. I am very proud to be a part of this team and this hospital.”

Congratulations to Carol Burgess, the Mishawaka Campus Associate of the Month for January!

Cancer Program Achieves Accreditations

Excellence in care is not the work of one physician, one nurse or one procedure. It is the end result of a multi-disciplinary team working with the right resources, towards a common goal.

The Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Cancer Program allows for efficient communication between medical specialties in order to make the best decisions for each individual patient. Here, our patients are part of the team as we work through the treatment and care process with them.

Most recently, SJRMC achieved two accreditations that differentiate our Oncology program: 

• Commission on Cancer 3-year Accreditation Award with Commendation 
• National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)

Both of these distinctions are from the American College of Surgeons, and we are extremely proud of our Physician and Clinical leadership who together delivered these outstanding results.

SJRMC Oncology Staff

The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement.  A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.

We are proud of our accomplishments, and as 2011 approaches we strive to continue to advance patient care services.

Thank you to our expert Physicians, Medical and Nursing staff, and supportive services that work so hard to deliver quality care and the best possible outcomes.