Franciscan St. Margaret Health Honors Nurses for Exceptional Service

Four registered nurses, two each at Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Hammond and its sister campus in Dyer, were honored for their services during May, when they received Franciscan Nursing Excellence Nurses’ Choice awards and Franciscan Nursing Excellence Physicians’ Choice awards.

The annual kudos are presented in conjunction with American Nursing Association’s National Nurses Week.

Joanna Benignetti, of Lansing, a radiation oncology and pain management nurse who has spent her entire 34-year career at the Dyer campus, received the nurses’ choice award; while Cindy Serdar, of Schererville, a surgical nurse who has spent 14 of her 39 years in the profession at the hospital, received the physicians’ choice honor.

The awards were presented by Marla Hoyer-Lareau, Franciscan St. Margaret Health chief nursing officer and vice president of patient services, who lauded the recipients for their commitment to the hospital, but mostly their dedication to serving patients.

“We honor and appreciate you for all you do,” she added.

Benignetti said she was “shocked and humbled” to receive the recognition.

“Everybody here provides such wonderful care and is so positive and supportive of patients,” she said, adding, “I’ve learned so much from all of you; you’ve helped me become a better nurse.”

Serdar said she was “very surprised and pleased” by the honor, adding she comes from a long line of nurses, among them her mother, in whose footsteps she followed.

Hammond campus recipients were Martha Bartkus, of Hobart, a two-year intensive care unit nurse, who was presented the nurses’ choice award; and Judy Gould, of Chicago, who has spent the last 20 years of her 38-year career as a cath lab nurse, and received the physicians’ choice honor.

Their awards likewise were presented by Hoyer-Lareau, who said, “Our team of caregivers is truly compassionate and intensely committed to the mission. These nurses, chosen by their peers and our physicians, are truly outstanding members of our exceptional team.”

Bartkus said it was an honor to be recognized by her peers so early in her career, while Gould said she was grateful to receive the award, adding, “It is rewarding to help patients get through their health crises.”