Consortium honors health care workers
FRANKLIN TWP — Health care workers often posses problem-solving skills, compassion and empathy along with their medical training, according to David Fenoglietto, president and CEO of Lutheran SeniorLife.
Even in the face of staffing shortages and an endless stream of patients, today’s health care professionals continue to put themselves on the line to help others.
In recognition of their efforts, the Butler County Health Care Consortium presented 29 local health care workers and students with awards during the Consortium’s seventh annual Health Care Worker Recognition event Wednesday, March 13, at The Atrium.
“The people we serve need you, and I find comfort in knowing they are in good hands with all of you,” Fenoglietto said as he addressed the crowd. “You don't have to have the title to be a leader. In heath care you have the opportunity to make a difference in a person's life everyday.”
Jan Rodgers, co-chair of the Butler County Health Care Consortium, said the goal of the event is to recognize people in all aspects of health care who provide dedicated, passionate care to people in our community.
“Every single one of them here today deserves the recognition for the care that they give to their organizations and the people in need,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said member organizations of the consortium — Independence Health System, Lutheran SeniorLife, LIFE Butler County and others — nominate people in a range of categories such as direct health care workers, non direct health care workers, volunteers, hospitals and education.
Rodgers said one of the biggest challenges facing the industry today is the lack of workers, which in turn places a greater burden on those that remain dedicated to their position.
“One thing the consortium does at its month meeting is we share ongoing issues that we can problem solve together,” Rodgers said. “We talk about employee retention efforts. As a collaborative we try to work together to help address those issues.”
Angela Elter, orthopedic nurse navigator at Butler Memorial Hospital, was one of the 29 people honored during the event. Her primary job is to help people prepare for knee and hip replacement surgeries.
Elter said she was surprised and grateful by the recognition given to her from the consortium, despite the day to day challenges she and her fellow health care workers face.
“Everybody is busy and we do what we do hundreds of times, month in and month out,” Elter said. “For most of my clients, it's their first time. I have to remind myself that they don't know much about this, while realizing what they need and make sure they get it.”
