Silver Cross Hospital Employees Honored for Dedicated Years of Service
Silver Cross President and CEO Michael Mutterer, RN, MA, LCPC, CADC, LNHA, congratulates 45-year employees Karen Braam, RN, of Manhattan (center) and Susan Pomykala of Elwood during the annual Silver Cross Employee Service Awards Dinner held September 17 at DiNolfo’s Banquets in Homer Glen.
When Karen Braam and Susan Pomykala began their careers at Silver Cross Hospital
in 1979, Sony released its very first Walkman, Jimmy Carter was in the White House, and a gallon of gas cost 88 cents.
Braam, who works in Cardiopulmonary Rehab , and Pomykala, who works in Pharmacy, led the group of 188 employees recently honored at the annual Silver Cross Awards Recognition Dinner held at DiNolfo’s Banquets in Homer Glen.
“Former Chicago Bulls Coach Phil Jackson once said, ‘The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team,’” said Michael Mutterer, Silver Cross President and CEO.
“At Silver Cross, we’re truly blessed with the most talented people and teams at any healthcare organization … anywhere! Whether you joined us 10 years ago or 45 years ago, each of you has contributed to our organization, our culture and our success in a very special way. … In fact, your steadfast commitment to these very things earned us our 19th Straight A for Patient Safety this spring from the Leapfrog Group, our 2024 Healthgrades ranking as #1 in Surgical Care in Illinois, and many other accolades along the way,” he added. “So, to the amazing group of people gathered in this room tonight, I say, we couldn’t do it without you!”
Dana Bradley, Silver Cross Vice President Human Resources, said the honorees are an exemplary group.
“When I look around this room, I see caring, committed, loyal individuals who continue to choose Silver Cross day in and day out, week after week, and year after year. Your accumulated expertise and knowledge means you’re experts in each of your own respective jobs. It also means you’re incredible mentors to your colleagues who respect and look up to you.
She added, “When I did the math for all of our 2024 honorees – adding up all your years of service – it totals 3,395! And when I divided that that by the total number of honorees, combined, that’s an average of 18 years of service – which is four times the national average. It’s also something you all should be very proud of!”
Mutterer said that expertise and experience in the Silver Cross philosophy leads to continued patient satisfaction, as evidenced by the letters of praise he receives.
“I know it’s been said many times before me,” Mutterer said, “but I’m going to say it again: Our patients and family members may not always remember our names, but they’ll never forget the way we made them feel!”
Silver Cross employees who earned service awards include:
45 Years of Service Hometown
Lynn House Joliet
40 Years of Service Hometown Jean Kinsley Shorewood
Cynthia Goron Joliet
35 Years of Service Hometown Charlene David Channahon Plainfield
Timothy Grisham Manteno
30 Years of Service Hometown Joyce Southall Wilmington
25 Years of Service Hometown Wendy Churchill Elwood
Levesia Hujda Mokena
20 Years of Service Hometown Esperanza Barrera Romeoville
Sheila Gray Shorewood
Kathleen Crafton Manhattan
Karen Paramo Joliet
15 Years of Service Hometown Stanley Bielawski Orland Park
Lisa Tuley Minooka
10 Years of Service Hometown Emily Redman Manhattan
Sonya Miller Tinley Park
Jennifer Dagys Homer Glen
Sarah Williams Lockport
Valerie Mannion Mokena
Ana Velazquez Joliet
Kyle Murray Bourbonnais
Shannon Connolly Frankfort
Rosemary Tucker New Lenox
Sara Boex Joliet
Nicole Williams Frankfort
