April Associate of the Month: Plymouth Campus

Ron Westafer, RN

Ronald Westafer, RN, Emergency Department

“Ron Westafer is an excellent Nurse in the Emergency Department, is well like by his peers, and is highly recommended by the Physicians in the ED,” said Elaine Flemming, RN, Nursing Director at SJRMC/Plymouth. “He is very knowledgeable and well versed in Emergency Medicine and places patient satisfaction as a major goal.”

Ron has been a part of SJRMC since 1997 and is active on many committees. He frequently checks in with the Nurses on the Critical Care Unit and the Medical Surgical Unit to assist them with policy updates, changes, or implementation of different initiatives.

“Communication is vital to the success of any organization, especially in health care where the work we do affects so many,” said Westafer. “I am always glad to help however I can and am honored to have been selected as the Associate of the Month here in Plymouth.”

Ron receives many patient compliments, as well, and goes the extra mile to make sure his patients have outstanding care. He is friendly, caring and outgoing. Ron comes to work with a smile and keeps the smile during the entire 12-hour shift.

“We are very lucky to have Ron part of the Saint Joseph family,” said Flemming.

Congratulations to Ronald Westafer, the Plymouth Campus Associate of the Month for April!

April Associate of the Month: Mishawaka Campus

Kim Erby

Kim Erby, Human Resources Assistant

Kim joined SJRMC in October 2004. She has remained an integral part of the Human Resources team since she started.

“She is recognized by her team members as the glue that holds the team together,” said Virginia Chism, Director of HR Recruitment.

 Kim has a pleasant personality, always remains calm in all situations, and is always willing to reach out and help associates who bring everything imaginable to HR’s attention. Being the point of entry into HR, Kim successfully juggles many different responsibilities, and through it all she never loses her focus or her pleasant demeanor.

One of Kim’s co-workers felt Kim should be recognized for her kindness, and described Kim as being unfailingly kind to everyone she encounters. She describes a situation where Kim’s kindness was displayed to her while her arm was in a sling, and after a heavy snowfall Kim cleaned her car from top to bottom!

“It all comes down to just treating others as you want to be treated,” said Erby. “Simple acts of kindness go a long way. I am proud to be a part of Saint Joseph and am very proud of this wonderful recognition.”

HR is proud to have a team member that embodies our Guiding Behaviors and reflects that behavior in all that she does. Thank you Kim for all that you do for SJRMC!

Congratulations to Kim Erby, the Mishawaka Campus Associate of the Month for April!

March Associate of the Month: Plymouth Campus

Bruce Hite, Coordinator

Bruce Hite, Coordinator

Outpatient Rehab Therapy

Bruce Hite joined the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Family in 2004 as a Patient Care Provider (PCP) on the Medical Surgical Floor at Plymouth. He transitioned to Outpatient Rehab Therapy, where his duties include: registration of new patients; checking their benefit coverage; scheduling and reminder/follow-up phone calls; ordering office supplies; and managing the front desk.

“Bruce has a difficult job trying to keep scheduling on track with productivity,” said Raymond Canda, SJRMC’s Physical Therapy Rehab Administrator. “But he handles this with great efficiency and effectiveness and always with an upbeat personality.”

Bruce is described as an excellent team player who is thoughtful of patients and staff, alike, as well as being a dependable hard worker extremely focused on accommodating others.

“I try to remember each day that I am representing more than just myself but the entire organization whose goal is to deliver the best health care possible,” he said. “The best part of my job is the interaction with patients, knowing the position I work directly affects how that patient will see the rest of our department and, ultimately, the entire hospital.”

While Bruce feels honored to have been recognized as Associate of the Month, he is quick to note the award is a reflection on his entire department.

“I think this speaks volumes about the caliber of people working here at Saint Joseph,” he said. “I cannot say enough how much I appreciate everyone here. This is a feeling I will not soon forget.”

Congratulations to Bruce Hite, the Plymouth Campus Associate of the Month for March!

March Associate of the Month: Mishawaka Campus

Vanessa Davidson

Vanessa Davidson, Unit Secretary

Orthopedics/Neurosurgery

For 30 years, Vanessa Davidson has been an integral part of SJRMC’s Orthopedic Team. From day 1 back in 1981, Vanessa has worked the 3 to 11 shift as the Unit Secretary.

“Actually, I started here at Saint Joseph as a student intern in 1979 in the Plant Operations Office,” she said. “Two years later I was hired as Orthopedics Unit Secretary and I have been here ever since, enjoying every minute of it.”

Described as cheerful and ready to volunteer for extra assignments, Vanessa will go above and beyond to assist patients and families for the smallest things. But it was the big blizzard earlier this year where Vanessa continued to show she is always ready to give 110%.

“The last two Code Whites, Vanessa assisted the hour Supervisor with finding staff and coordinating rides to work, which was invaluable to our patients and their families,” said Christine Kaufman, Orthopedics Nursing Manager. “Vanessa is a wonderful Associate for Saint Joseph and we feel extremely lucky to have her.”

And who knows? Maybe this is just Vanessa’s first 30 years at SJRMC.

“After 30 years, I still come to work with a smile on my face,” she said. “I want to thank everyone for thinking of me for this wonderful honor and I look forward to another 30 years here!”

Congratulations to Vanessa Davidson, the Mishawaka Associate of the Month for March! 

February Associate of the Month: Plymouth Campus

Diana Soike

Plymouth Campus

Diana Soike, Environment of Care Coordinator, Facilities Department

The go-to girl. The paperwork junkie. The person to call to get things fixed. What kind of title do you give to someone with that kind of job description?

That would be the Environment of Care Coordinator, and at the Saint Joseph Plymouth Campus, Diana Soike is known for all of the above.

With previous experience as a legal secretary, Diana joined the Saint Joe Team working at the front desk of the Cancer Institute in 1999. In 2003, she applied for and was hired into her current position. And 7 years later, Diana swears she still learns something new every day.

“I never thought I’d know so much about healthcare,” she laughed. “I always thought Saint Joseph was a wonderful hospital and would be a great place to work – and I was right.”

Diana works to help the hospital maintain its credentialing, regularly working closely with a wide variety of hospital staff and The Joint Commission. Recently, she helped to coordinate the community-wide disaster drill. If there is any type of renovation going on across the campus, you can bet she knows every detail.

“There are new challenges every day,” she said. “I’m always working with new people and committees, and our staff is always so kind. When I have to learn new things about the individual departments, they are so patient and willing to help.”

Diana maintains a close relationship with all of the ancillary departments – specifically maintenance, environmental, dietary and materials management.

“Aside from her outstanding efforts in her given position, she has also committed much time and energy to help the clinical departments with their policies to be Joint Commission compliant,” said Safa Saddawi, SJRMC/Plymouth’s Manager of Plant Operations. “She is always available to help others even if they are in a different department and she always does so with a smile.”

A Plymouth native who remembers the former hospital location across from Centennial Park, Diana is proud to work for an organization that provides for her family, friends and neighbors.

“People in Plymouth are fortunate to have this,” she said. “We have excellent physicians and staff and I’ve heard on more than one occasion it’s nice to receive the care you need close to home. Our hospital is like a little family, and I love it.”

Congratulations to Diana Soike, the Plymouth Campus Associate of the Month for February!

February Associate of the Month: Mishawaka Campus

Beth Rems, RN

Mishawaka Campus

Beth Rems, RN, 5 Garden Surgical

After graduation from Ball State University in 1996, Beth Rems may have moved to South Bend but her faithful mini-van always seemed to be in drive.

“I was hired as a traveling Nurse, which meant I could work from hospital to hospital nationwide,” Rems said. “I went to California to Florida and just about everywhere else in between.

In all, she put over 250,000 miles on her “little van that could.” But in 2006, she decided on the local drive and accepted a position in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center’s Surgical Unit, now known as 5 Garden at the Mishawaka Campus.

“This is a great unit,” she said. “There are so many caring people here with a real team spirit and great management. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love it so much.”

She should know, having the many opportunities 250,000 miles worth of hospitals can offer. But she decided to call SJRMC home and her many co-workers are happy for that.

“Beth gives excellent care to her patients and always goes above and beyond what her job requires,” said Lynn Urgonski, Manager of Nursing on 5 Garden Surgical. “Beth is an excellent clinician, knows her patients well, frequently reassessing throughout her shift, and always demonstrating a high level of critical thinking.”

All this in spite of giving up her weekend evenings working the 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM shift.

“No matter what time of day it is, healthcare doesn’t stop,” Beth says with a smile.

But SJRMC is very happy that she decided to put her “little van that could” in park here in Michiana.

Congratulations to Beth Rems, the Mishawaka Campus Associate of the Month for February!

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!