Two registered nurses at Franciscan Healthcare-Munster were honored for their services during May, when they received Franciscan Nursing Excellence Nurses’ Choice and Franciscan Nursing Excellence Physicians’ Choice awards.
The annual honors are presented in conjunction with the American Nursing Association’s National Nurses Week.
Lanette Zunica, of Munster, who has spent the last four years of her 22-year career in the hospital’s surgical unit, received the physicians’ choice award; while Tim Loeber, of Crown Point, who has spent the last five years of his 14-year career serving in the intensive care unit, received the nurses’ choice honor.
Zunica’s award was presented by Ben Adeyemi, MD, who recalled the warm welcome he received from her when he first came to the hospital.
“From the first time I saw you, you showed compassion and warmth and have extended that to every patient I have seen you with. You embody our true values, not just on paper, but you live them every time you come to work. No one is more deserving of this award,” Dr. Adeyemi said.
Zunica said she accepted the honor, “on behalf of every nurse.”
She added, “Every doctor, every anesthesiologist, every nurse on this unit, goes above and beyond – the compassion can’t be beaten. I am positive our team is the best working team out there. The love we have for each other and our patients can’t be beaten. This award touches my soul.”
Loeber’s award was presented by Tracey Franovich, hospital vice president of operations, who told him, “You are an amazing nurse and person. I am honored to work with you and appreciate everything you bring to the table. It is an honor to be selected by your peers, who respect and look to you as a veteran leader.”
Loeber said he was honored and humbled by the recognition.
“We all have our jobs here and we work as a team – the nurses, the lab people, the housekeepers – we couldn’t do our jobs without each other. This is a team honor.”
