Adventist GlenOaks Hospital commemorated its 30th anniversary with a dedication and prayer service on Tuesday, March 9. The village of Glendale Heights is declaring March 9, 2010, as “Adventist GlenOaks Hospital Day” in recognition of the hospital’s importance in the community. 
 
A new work of art – the hospital’s mission statement, “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ,” created on canvas by renowned local artist Timothy Botts – was unveiled and several 30-year employees were honored. The honored employees include Botts’ wife Nancy, a nurse in the hospital’s obstetric unit. The Botts live in Glen Ellyn.

The 30-year employees who were honored:

• Nancy Botts of Glen Ellyn, obstetrical nurse: Botts considers Adventist GlenOaks Hospital a community hospital that gives individual care to patients. She also loves working in obstetrics. “It’s always a miracle seeing a baby come into the world,” Botts said. “A good nurse is a support for parents. I like to think I help moms get through labor as easily as possible.” She also was one of 45 professionals who went on Adventist Midwest Health’s medical mission trip to Costa Rica in January.

• Margaret Burke of Hanover Park, recovery room nurse who also worked in intensive care for over 20 years: Burke said the hospital has made many changes over the years with improvements in technology, renovations and additions. “I have really enjoyed working at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, not only because it’s close to my home, but because it’s like being part of a family,” Burke said. “I feel a closeness here that doesn’t exist at most hospitals.”

• Mary Clark of Oak Brook, quality coordinator in quality management: Clark helps physicians with peer review, does chart review, and works to ensure that the hospital offers the best in quality of care. She is certified in professional health care quality. “Adventist GlenOaks provides a friendly environment that has been good for my personal growth and my professional growth,” she said.

• Sue Karau of Lombard, physical therapy treatment assistant and coordinator of the physical therapy department: “Because we’re not a huge, sprawling hospital, you get to know people better,” Karau said. “You get to spend more time with your patients and see their progress.”

• Karen Larson of Roselle, secretary to the geriatric unit and the comprehensive treatment unit for high-functioning adults at Adventist Institute for Behavioral Medicine: “Knowing that my work is worthwhile and makes a difference in people’s lives means a lot to me,” Larson said.

• Elisa Mercado of Glendale Heights, a medical/surgical nurse: Mercado works with a variety of patients, from pediatric to geriatric. She is especially proud that her youngest daughter, Jocelyn, who once worked at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital as a unit secretary, is now a Navy doctor. She said the hospital is sensitive to the needs of employees. “I love my family and I love working at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital,” Mercado said.

• Carol Rohrsen of Carol Stream, a nurse in cardiology stress testing: “The hospital has definitely changed with the times by keeping up with advances in technology,” Rohrsen said. “But what I really appreciate is the family atmosphere. It’s a community hospital, so we often see the same patients and we get to know them as well as our co-workers and the physicians who provide care here.”