Jane Schneider, Registered Nurse in Surgical Services, was named the CHI St. Gabriel’s Health 2018 Francis Award recipient at the organization’s celebration luncheon held on February 19th, 2019.
The award is presented each year to an individual that works or volunteers on CHI St. Gabriel’s campus “who goes beyond the call of duty, serving the community and the organization with heart and hands.” It recognizes employees for the way they exemplify the organization’s mission, vision, values and behavior standards as well as their commitment to the community and the organization.
Jane spent twenty years of her career as a LPN, five of those with the Family Medical Center, before going back to school to receive her RN degree. She calls it the “best decision ever!” She joined St. Gabriel’s Hospital in 2007 and spent the first eight years of her RN career with CHI St. Gabriel’s Health as a RN in the Emergency Department and the past three she has been a pre-op educator/RN in Same Day Services. She also plays a role in teaching staff BLS and ACLS.
Jane was nominated by a patient who had been in her care. This particular patient had a special needs child with her and Jane went out of her way to ensure this child felt relaxed and comfortable by interacting with the child and making her feel included. Jane even took care of the child’s stuffed bear who needed an arm bandage! The patient went on to say that it was very apparent that Jane loves what she does and truly cares about people.
In fact, Jane said her favorite part of her job is teaching patients and trying to make things as easy as possible for them to understand. She loves interacting with patients and family. She stated that teaching, calming patient’s worries and fears or just giving comfort is the greatest reward of being a nurse.
Upon receiving the award, Jane talked about gratitude. “It is truly the highest honor of my career to be chosen for the 2018 Francis Award. It warms my heart and fills my eyes with tears to think how many people really do notice how much others do here for our patients, co-workers and CHI St. Gabriel’s Health. As for me, I just see it as doing my job.” She goes on to say how special it was to be nominated this year with her two younger sisters, Patricia Wolthuizen and Kathleen Hebler. “They have both worked here longer than me and are both really compassionate and hard workers. All of our nominees this year were so deserving of this award. It takes an entire team working together with positive attitudes that makes the real difference here at CHI St. Gabriel’s Health. I am blessed to work with such a wonderful group of people.”
Jane wants to extend a thank you to the family that nominated her stating “it was my pleasure to be a part of your experience.” Also, Jane wants to thank her parents “for instilling a strong work ethic in our family. I know they are so proud of us for our nominations this year.” She also wanted to say thanks to all who reached out to her since receiving this award, “To all my family, friends and co-workers, thank you for the many hugs and congratulations I have received.”
Carla Zupko, CHI St. Gabriel’s Health Vice President of Patient Care Services, says Jane is a great choice. “I have known Jane for well over 15 years from her work in the clinic to her different nursing roles here at the hospital. I have always known her to be compassionate, knowledgeable, caring and with a profound respect for human life. Jane can be found sharing laughter with patients, sharing tears or saying a prayer with them. Her patients are truly her focus and her priority. As our St. Francis Award winner, Jane truly magnifies our core values of Reverence, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence and is a wonderful example of the spirit in which the award is given.”
There were 16 Francis Award nominees in total for 2018. Other nominees for the award included: Kathleen Hebler, Denise Opatz, Patricia Wolthuizen, Rosie Harmsen, Brenda Vanheel, Megan Birr, April Thompson, Samantha Schuett, Beverly Balaski, Dr. David Anderson, Danielle Anderson, Dr. Kurt Devine, Kelly Baynes, Candice Grelson, and Matthew Longendyke.